When discussing Latin American Fintech, two names strongly resonate globally: AstroPay and DLocal. Behind the foundational success and exponential growth of these companies (which led DLocal to its NASDAQ listing) stands Emiliano Fernández Balagué. Today, this Uruguayan investor and ecosystem builder is redefining his legacy, applying the scalability mindset of financial technology to high-potential sectors: Sports Business, athlete management, and high-impact Real Estate projects in the U.S.
In this exclusive interview, Balagué reveals how his expertise in digital payments and financial inclusion fuels pioneering initiatives like Sport Summa and the Sports Performance Hub (SPH), designed to capture the value of the global sports ecosystem.
How do you apply the Fintech mindset to building sports ventures?
Emiliano Balagué, co-founder of DLocal (NASDAQ: DLO), explains that his success in solving structural problems in emerging markets is based on universal principles.
"Innovation, accessibility, and scalability are not exclusive to Fintech. With Sport Summa and SPH, our goal is to replicate that success: injecting professional structure and world-class opportunities into sports, especially for talent originating from Latin America."
Sport Summa: The strategic bridge between elite athletes and global brands
Sport Summa, co-founded with tennis legends Juan “Pico” Mónaco and Mariano Zabaleta, has evolved into a comprehensive management agency focused on the athlete's long-term value:
- 360° Representation and career planning.
- Strategic sponsorships and personal brand building.
- Financial strategies for professional and personal growth.
By connecting investment capital, elite athletes, and global brands, Sport Summa is not just managing careers—it’s monetizing the sports ecosystem.
What makes SPH the Sports Innovation Hub of Miami?
Located in Miami-Dade, Florida, the Sports Performance Hub (SPH) is designed to be the most complete sports complex in the Americas, combining:
- High-performance training facilities.
- Advanced Sports Science and Wellness programs.
- Cutting-edge technology and Education.
With Miami as a global sports epicenter and a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, SPH is positioned as the mandatory meeting point for athletes, brands, real estate investors, and technology innovators.
“SPH is a complete ecosystem for talent development and sports entrepreneurship,” Balagué states.
How do Ferbal Capital and USHI Outdoors integrate into this global strategy?
Through Ferbal Capital, his family office and investment platform, Emiliano Balagué channels capital into projects that combine economic profitability with social impact:
- Fintech investments (digital payments and blockchain).
- Strategic Real Estate developments in Miami, Brooklyn, and Port St. Lucie.
- Lifestyle brands like USHI Outdoors, focused on premium, sustainable outdoor experiences.
The vision is clear: to enhance quality of life through sustainable innovation across multiple sectors.
What global legacy does he aim to build?
Emiliano Fernández Balagué’s mission centers on connecting the dots of opportunity:
- From financial inclusion in emerging markets (via Fintech).
- To sports infrastructure in the U.S. (via SPH and Real Estate).
- To building ecosystems that empower people and communities.
His career, marked by the disruption of AstroPay and DLocal, and continued with Sport Summa and SPH, confirms him as a relentless leader; his focus is on empowering, innovating, and leaving a lasting global footprint.
