Founded in 2020, Bold has rapidly emerged as a prominent player in the region’s evolving financial technology sector. The company initially gained traction by offering affordable, accessible payment terminals—commonly known as data-phones—to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Colombia. Over the years, the fintech has systematically broadened its operational scope, evolving from a hardware-focused point-of-sale provider into a comprehensive digital financial services ecosystem. Today, Bold’s product portfolio extends well beyond basic card processing, encompassing advanced digital payment solutions, merchant deposits, flexible working capital loans, and tailored savings products designed to meet the everyday operational needs of business owners who have historically been underserved by traditional banking institutions.
According to the terms of the newly announced agreement, Bold will deploy the $11.3 million financing injection specifically to expand its commercial lending operations for businesses throughout Colombia. By scaling its credit capabilities, the fintech aims to bridge the persistent financing gap that local merchants face, empowering them to manage cash flow fluctuations, invest in inventory, and pursue sustainable growth initiatives in an increasingly competitive economic climate.
The strategic partnership with BBVA Spark underscores Bold’s robust financial health, operational maturity, and strong market positioning. Despite launching during a uniquely challenging global economic period in 2020, the company has scaled at an impressive pace. To date, Bold has successfully onboarded and served more than 700,000 merchants across its core markets of Colombia and Peru. The company’s processing infrastructure handles approximately $5.4 billion annually in card and QR code transactions, reflecting deep market penetration and high transaction frequency among its active user base.
The collaboration with BBVA Spark also highlights the growing institutional confidence in Latin America’s fintech sector, particularly regarding companies that successfully bridge the divide between physical point-of-sale hardware and digital financial infrastructure. BBVA Spark, designed specifically to support high-growth technology companies and startups with non-dilutive capital and tailored banking solutions, views partnerships with established regional leaders like Bold as a core element of its strategy to foster innovation and digital transformation across the region’s economy.
As Bold directs this fresh capital toward its burgeoning lending division, the company remains positioned to deepen its footprint in Colombia and further solidify its standing as a foundational financial partner for the region’s thriving merchant community.
