Why Mid-Tier Cities Are Attractive

Jon Toscano, President of Trivèlla Investmentos, a private equity firm focused on opportunities in mid-sized Brazilian cities, says not to overlook the innovation and human capital in “tech towns” outside Brazil’s biggest cities.

Toscano discusses the similarities between venture ecosystems in university towns like São Carlos and those in the U.S., how local entrepreneurs hate “helicopter investors,” why many entrepreneurs prefer the better quality of life in smaller cities, and how improved air-travel options from companies like Azul have impacted building businesses in mid-tier cities.