Carey’s venture capital practice advises domestic and international venture capital funds, corporate ventures and start-ups at every growth stage. Combining expertise in corporate law, tax, IP, and regulatory matters, the 17-strong group’s experience ranges from seed and Series A rounds to exits and international expansion. Since 2023, clients additionally benefit from the firm’s Miami branch, through which Latin-American start-ups and investors can access further support for their US-related expansions. The firm also assists US-based venture capital funds (that invest in Chile and Latin America) with fund structuring and regulatory issues. Highlights include advising Sunna Ventures, a private investment fund, on a strategic investment in BackChannel, which operates a B2B (business-to-business) marketplace where brands and distributors sell excess inventory to retailers. The department is led by Francisco Guzmán, who currently serves as President of the Chilean Venture Capital Association. Guzmán’s track record includes advising corporate venture entities, venture capital funds, investment fund managers, and high-growth companies on cross-border transactions, fund formation and strategic exits. At associate level, senior Andrés Latorre assists emerging companies and venture capital funds with equity financings, convertible securities financing, technology companies’ M&A, company formation and cross-border deals.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Carey's lawyers combine technical excellence with a rare business mindset. They understand how a startup operates, what matters to a VC fund, and how to balance both interests without hindering the transaction. Francisco Guzmán (partner) is a trusted advisor to us: strategic, always available, and very well-connected within the venture capital ecosystem in the US and Latin America. His presence in Miami has been key. Andrés Latorre is outstanding: extremely responsive, organized, and proactive. He handles our day-to-day corporate and financing matters, follows up on closings with investors, and quickly resolves any requirements (certificates, Charter updates, counterparty documentation). Luciano Godoy has also done a great job in the documentation execution of transactions. Compared to the competition, they stand out for their speed of response, team continuity, and because they feel like part of our own legal team.
- Francisco Guzmán deserves particular recognition. We rate him very highly and regard him as an excellent lawyer and a trusted professional. He and the Carey team have made a very positive impression through our work together on confidential due diligence matters. We would recommend him highly.
- Rated for their in-depth knowledge of clients’ business.
- The team compares very favourably with other firms for its business acumen.
- Extensive experience and practical knowledge.
- Great knowledge and experience.
- A deep understanding of global venture capital and how its various terms and conditions adapt to Chilean legislation. Francisco Guzmán, Andrés Latorre, and Antonia Ananías.
- What makes them unique is their deep knowledge of global venture capital and how the different terms and conditions adapt to Chilean legislation, in addition to the support they can provide, which makes them stand out in relation to their peers in the industry.
Key clients
- Sunna Ventures
- Monashees
- Manutara Ventures
- Base10 Capital Partners
- CMPC Ventures
- Koywe
- WeBoost
- Zapping TV
- Screen Capital
- Be Fun
- Unik Ventures
- Kredito
- Almacen Gurú
- Enghouse Systems
- PhageLab
- Forastero Capital
Work highlights
Advised Sunna Ventures, a private investment fund, on a strategic investment in BackChannel, a B2B company that operates a marketplace connecting merchants with products from major brands.
Advised CMPC Ventures on a Series D investment in Pulpex, a UK-based start-up developing biodegradable paper bottles made from cellulose.
Advised Silicon Valley-based VC fund Base10 Capital Partners on a Series A investment in Diio, a Chilean start-up leveraging AI to enhance commercial performance.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Francisco Guzmán