In a business world where small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are the engine of the economy, Frank Briceno stands out as an innovative and passionate leader. Founder of Progreso Ventures, an investment management firm focused on SMBs and lower middle market companies in the United States, Briceno is committed to creating a significant impact on the economy and the lives of small-business and middle-market company owners as well as startups.
With more than 10 years of experience as an investor, advisor, and operator, Briceno has worked in various industries, including technology, real estate, and consumer goods. (I would remove this one altogether as it doesn’t align with the general purpose of Progreso Ventures in its current form and it was a low-impact job I had – even with all the deals we worked on and the money we raised. Perhaps we could talk here about my experience with SPACs instead. We could say something along the lines of: “His previous experience with early-stage and middle-market companies, raising +$300 million in two SPAC IPOs he did, gives him the experience on how companies across different industries in these business life cycles operate and the know-how to scale these from yet another startup or SMB to a billion-dollar enterprise that trades on Nasdaq”).
Briceno shares: “My plan is to create an alternative asset investment platform that can systematically scale companies with high potential in the US and LatAm to a level in which they can have a global impact.” This vision has led him to raise a first round of funding to invest in SMBs, with a special focus on underserved communities.
Briceno’s motivation to start Progreso Ventures comes from his desire to make a difference. “What really excites me about this opportunity is the impact I can have on the people and economy of the US by investing in SMBs and middle-market companies,” he says. He has directed 72% of his financing to minorities and communities typically underserved by traditional banking, demonstrating his commitment to these groups.
Like any entrepreneur, Briceno has faced significant challenges. High competition in the investment sector, (this is true about the specific strategy I’m pursuing, but the barriers to entry to be an investor, generally, are not that low, and I’d rather not go into detail about my strategies here. Maybe instead we could say something along the lines of: “especially with some well-established investors that have been in the industry for years and have massive operations”), has been one such obstacle. However, his focus on sophistication and added value has helped him differentiate himself. “We bring to the table a level of sophistication that’s on par with that of some of the more institutional players in the industry that other smaller players might not necessarily have, and the nimble quality and scrappiness that smaller players tend to have that institutional investors sometimes lack,” he explains.
The emphasis on collaboration and long-term commitment to the companies they invest in truly sets Briceno and Progreso Ventures apart from the competition. “We like to roll up our sleeves and actively engage with owners and managers to help them navigate the challenges they face with their businesses,” Briceno says. This philosophy of partnership and collaboration is central to their business model, allowing companies they invest in to grow and thrive beyond just giving them capital for their business.
Looking ahead, Briceno has big plans for Progreso Ventures. His goal is to scale the initiative and deploy eight figures a year through his funding. “At the moment, we are testing the waters on a particular strategy we find very exciting. Once we get our proof of concept, which looks like we will very soon, we’ll be hitting overdrive a bit,” he says.
Frank Briceno is an example of how passion and experience can come together to create a positive impact in the business world. His commitment to small and medium-sized businesses, along with his unique focus on collaboration and growth, positions him as a leader in the investment sector.
To follow Frank Briceno’s journey and learn more about his work at Progreso Ventures, feel free to follow him on his social media: Instagram: @frankdotcom and visit his website Progreso Ventures.