Rafael Valdivia is a Managing Partner at LAB Ventures who combines over 20 years in institutional finance—including overseeing more than $3B in assets at Credit Suisse—with hands-on experience as a repeat entrepreneur who launched Brazil's first online stock trading platform and built Pobre Juan into one of the country's largest steakhouse chains. He brings an unusually transparent approach to working with founders, publicly explaining VC fund structures and operations, while actively participating in the PropTech ecosystem through board roles and community events.

• Championing the Miami tech ecosystem and its rapid expansion, frequently highlighting the influx of capital, talent, and major sporting events to South Florida. He tracks the city's development closely as it closes the gap with New York, noting specific infrastructure improvements like new high-end education options and the groundbreaking of the Citadel tower visible from his office.
• Focus on Real Estate and PropTech, ranging from macro housing market data to hosting startup showcases at industry events like Blueprint. He often compares the speed and efficiency of the US real estate market to international markets like Brazil, noting how much faster property transactions close in the US.
• Monitoring specific venture capital benchmarks and legislative changes that affect startup strategy. He shares insights on the rigorous standards for early-stage funding, such as the revenue growth needed to move from Seed to Series A, and highlights tax advantages for investors through mechanisms like Qualified Small Business Stock.
• Advocating for decentralized financial systems and blockchain technology as a way to protect assets compared to centralized networks like Swift. He also draws comparisons between traditional heavyweights and modern fintech companies to illustrate the massive valuation shifts occurring in the global economy.
• Passion for ocean conservation and environmental initiatives, particularly focused on reducing plastic waste. He actively participates in local clean-up activities he calls plastic fishing and shares practical advice on avoiding plastic usage in the kitchen for health and safety.