Brazilian FinTech startup Stay has raised R$30 million (approximately $5.7 million) in a funding round led by Citrino, an investment firm combining asset management and multi-family office services. Announced on September 25, 2026, the investment will support the company’s expansion in Brazil’s corporate private pension market.

The round also attracted participation from Norte, 17Sigma and BTV, strengthening Stay’s investor base as it develops technology infrastructure connecting employers with private pension providers. The company previously secured R$15 million (approximately $2.85 million) in an earlier financing round backed by MAYA Capital and Better Tomorrow Ventures.

Led by Founder and CEO Tsai Chi-yu, Stay provides corporate retirement benefit solutions and long-term employee incentive programmes. The startup currently serves nearly 100 companies and tens of thousands of employees, with clients including Claro, iFood, Milky Moo and Hospital de Câncer Araújo Jorge.

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Stay Secures $5.7M Funding Led by Citrino

The R$30 million investment will support Stay’s efforts to expand its corporate pension infrastructure and reach more employers across Brazil.

Citrino led the financing round, joined by Norte, 17Sigma and BTV. The lead investor’s relationships with major Brazilian business families and experience in long-term asset management align with Stay’s focus on retirement products that require sustained financial commitments.

Tsai Chi-yu described Citrino’s participation as an important endorsement of the company’s business model, emphasizing the role of trust in retirement planning. He noted that managing retirement savings over several decades requires credibility and long-term relationships with investors, insurers and corporate clients.

The new financing follows Stay’s previous R$15 million funding round and comes as the company seeks to strengthen its position in Brazil’s employer-sponsored retirement benefits market.

Stay Connects Employers With Private Pension Providers

Stay operates as a technology intermediary between employers and insurance companies offering private pension products. Its platform enables businesses of different sizes to provide retirement benefits to employees without independently developing the infrastructure required to administer pension programmes.

The company also offers long-term incentive programmes, known in Brazil as Incentivos de Longo Prazo (ILPs), designed to encourage employee retention and align financial benefits with longer-term employment relationships.

In 2024, Stay established a partnership with Zurich Seguros, expanding its ability to distribute corporate pension products through an established insurance provider. The collaboration supports the startup’s strategy of combining technology infrastructure with existing financial services networks.

By integrating retirement planning and employee incentive solutions, Stay aims to make corporate pension benefits more accessible to businesses that may lack the resources to manage these programmes independently.

Stay Expands Corporate Client Base Across Brazil

Stay has reported significant growth in its corporate customer base, serving nearly 100 companies and tens of thousands of employees through its pension and incentive programmes.

Its clients include telecommunications company Claro, food delivery platform iFood, dessert brand Milky Moo and Hospital de Câncer Araújo Jorge, demonstrating adoption across different sectors of the Brazilian economy.

According to the company, assets under management have increased more than 30-fold since its founding. Although Stay did not disclose the current value of those assets, the reported growth reflects the expansion of its corporate retirement business.

The startup has established a target of exceeding 100 corporate clients by December 2026. Reaching that milestone would support its efforts to broaden employer participation and extend access to retirement benefits across additional industries.

Addressing Brazil’s Employer-Sponsored Pension Gap

Stay is targeting a market where access to corporate retirement benefits remains limited. According to Tsai Chi-yu, fewer than 3% of Brazilian workers currently participate in employer-sponsored pension plans, compared with estimated participation levels of 70% to 90% in selected markets across Europe, Asia and the United States.

The company views this gap as an opportunity to expand private retirement savings through employer partnerships, particularly as Brazilian households face increasing financial pressures.

Tsai has highlighted rising household defaults and the growing influence of betting-related spending as factors affecting personal financial stability. Against this backdrop, Stay aims to encourage long-term savings by making retirement planning part of employee compensation and benefits packages.

The company’s approach also reflects growing interest in financial wellness programmes that extend beyond conventional workplace benefits. Employer-sponsored pensions and long-term incentives could become part of broader employee financial support strategies as businesses seek to improve retention and financial security.

Stay Targets Further Expansion in Brazil’s Pension Market

With R$30 million in new funding, Stay plans to expand its corporate distribution network, strengthen relationships with insurance providers and increase adoption of its retirement and incentive products.

Its growth strategy combines technology-enabled pension administration with partnerships that provide access to established financial infrastructure. The company will also focus on attracting additional corporate clients as it works toward exceeding 100 employers by the end of 2026.

As Brazil’s corporate pension market develops, Stay’s expansion will depend on its ability to establish long-term partnerships with employers and insurers while demonstrating the value of retirement benefits to businesses and their employees.

The latest investment positions the startup to continue developing its pension technology platform and broaden access to employer-sponsored retirement savings across Brazil.