It was as a way to democratize access to credit in Brazil and eliminate the debt caused by credit cards that Pagaleve was created. In an increasingly technological and connected market, Henrique Weaver saw the opportunity to meet the needs of millions of Brazilians who 1) do not have a credit card 2) have a low available limit or 3) simply do not like the traditional payment method, by developing a fast and easy installment method that does not require credit cards. And best of all: it uses Pix as the payment platform.
Pagaleve operates as a B2B2C and connects to retailers (both online and physical stores) through their e-commerce platform integrations to offer consumers installment payments through Pix, without the need to use a credit card.
The company has heavyweight investors, such as Banco do Brasil, Salesforce Ventures, OIF Ventures, Founder Collective, Entrée Capital, among others. The fintech was recognized as the biggest credit innovation in Brazil in 2022 by Cantarino, and the best credit solution for e-commerce in 2023 by FIDinsiders. Recently, Pagaleve also announced the structuring of a R$250 million FIDC (Credit Rights Investment Fund), led by the Belgian investment platform Credix Finance.
Henrique Weaver attributes the success of the company to the high acceptance of Pix Parcelado by consumers, especially among young people who avoid using cards during their purchases, whether due to personal preference, access restrictions, or credit limitations. “Having vision in the business world and understanding your target audiences very well is essential to identify opportunities before they become obvious and to anticipate trends that will shape the future,” he reflects. He mentions that this mindset was shaped throughout his professional journey.
Still during his Business Administration studies at the University of Brasília, Henrique interned at Brasil Telecom in the Contracts and Bidding area. Shortly after graduating, his first experience was as a Trainee at Coca-Cola, where he worked for several years in different cities across Brazil. After completing an MBA at the University of California, in 2012 he started a career in strategic consulting at McKinsey & Company. In 2016, Henrique was invited to contribute to the structuring and expansion of Uber in Brazil, serving as General Manager for a little over two years. Subsequently, he served as Brazil CEO of the Indian hospitality unicorn OYO.
With a long trajectory and a solid career in the business world, when asked about the main skill that a professional should seek to develop, Henrique Weaver points out that there are several skills that are fundamental for a successful career: extreme resilience, curiosity, boldness, and proficiency in finance are some of them. However, if he had to choose one, it would undoubtedly be the ability to extract value from your network of contacts, from your network.
Observing successful leaders in the business world, I see that this is the competence with the greatest intersection among the various profiles of leaders I have known or read about. This competence does not mean being extroverted or charismatic. Far from meaning ‘using’ people in a selfish way. In fact, it means (1) dedicating significant time and energy to meeting new people, (2) maintaining connections with people you already know, (3) being very organized and strategic in keeping track of who is in your networks of influence, and (4) taking the initiative to ask for opinions and help systematically – both from people in your professional circle of interaction – e.g., members of your team – and from people with less exposure,” explains Weaver.
He also emphasizes that in situations where there is a challenge to be solved in the company, for example, a person’s ability to strategically ask for opinions, combine opinions with their perceptions, reach a new level of understanding, and go through this cycle again, is extremely powerful and can be the big difference between success or failure in a specific goal.
Henrique Weaver also adds: “I would also advise focusing on the things that have truly been some of the major factors in getting me where I am today: (1) Being more ambitious than may seem reasonable; (2) Ensuring that you are communicating in the most strategic way possible; (3) Working hard – Unfortunately, a successful career is not built from 9 am to 5 pm. (4) And last but not least: investing disproportionate time and energy in developing good connections. Absolutely all the important achievements in my career have had a direct or indirect influence from a connection I developed over my 18 years of career. Doing this well is, at the same time, a science and an art,” concludes the Pagaleve CEO.
