A BOUTIQUE LATIN AMERICAN PLACEMENT AGENT
WELCOME
A8 Capital Advisors is a boutique Latin American placement agent and strategic advisory firm based in São Paulo, Brazil.
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We connect top-tier global alternative investment managers to Brazil's growing demand for offshore diversification.​
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Never more than four non-conflicting placements at the same time.
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Focusing on one specialized manager per strategy.
"A" stands for Alternative, encompassing the 8 asset classes we specialize in within alternative investments.
Private Equity, Private Credit, Real Estate, Infrastructure, Hedge Funds, Real Assets, Commodities & Natural Resources, Structured Products and Other Uncorrelated Strategies.
A senior team with over 45 years combined experience in Latin America's Capital Markets.
An international company with a operational subsidiary in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
OVERVIEW
THE COMPANY
At A8 Capital Advisors, we believe expertise and independence create value.
That's why we have structured ourselves as:
An independent partnership for the distribution of alternative assets.
Combined partners experience of more than 45 years in Latam's Capital Markets.
Third party legal advice:
Caselli Guimarães.
TEAM
ALBERTO
SMITH DE VASCONCELLOS
FOUNDING PARTNER
Founder of A8 Capital Advisors, Alberto was a partner at one of Latin America’s leading independent placement agents from 2022 to 2024. Between 2016 and 2022, he worked across key markets in the Middle East, following a 15-year trajectory as a sell-side sales trader at several independent brokers in Brazil, culminating in three years at Credit Suisse. He was educated at St. Paul’s School, Aiglon College in Switzerland, and NYU Stern School of Business in New York.
ALEC
CUNNINGHAM
CO-FOUNDER & PARTNER
Co-founder of A8 Capital Advisors in 2025, Alec brings over 27 years of experience in Brazil’s capital markets. He held senior positions at Deutsche, ABN Amro, BBVA, Itaú BBA (including six years in New York), Bradesco BBI, Safra, and Santander. With a background that blends international perspective and local expertise, he was educated at St. Paul’s School, Stowe School in the UK, and earned his Economics degree from PUC-SP in São Paulo.
OUR PROCESS
1
Buy-side screening
We perform qualitative and quantitative fund analysis and peer benchmarking.
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Selective outreach
We identify top opportunities with local market fit and engage with managers for initial dialogue.
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Strategic planning
We design a go-to-market strategy: product selection, investor targeting, and roadshow planning alongside our manager.
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Manager immersion
Our team becomes fluent in the opportunity, often through a 2-3 day day personal immersion with the manager.
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Full-cycle support
We provide end-to-end fundraising support and post-sale investor relations services.
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Reporting
We offer monthly feedback and a closing report to ensure clarity and strategic aligment.
OUR MISSION
Is more than a statement, it's the compass that guides every partnership, decision, and investment we make.
Our mission is to be the trusted gateway between global alternative investment managers and Latin America's institutional and private capital, through bespoke long-term partnerships, local market specialization and research supported placement process. We aim to drive commercial alpha for our partners regardless of market cycles, high-integrity partnerships, sharp market insights, and a rigorous selection process that aligns our capital with the opportunities we represent.
OUR VALUES
Our values define how we operate, who we partner with, and the standards we uphold - every day, in every mandate.
Selectivity with Integrity
We only work with managers we would invest in ourselves - and we always do.
Focus with Purpose
By limiting simultaneous mandates, we ensure full dedication, strategic alignment, and high touch execution.
Bridging Global and Local
We combine deep knowledge of the Brazilian market with a global perspective to unlock lasting value.
CONTACT
CONTACT
Feel free to reach out to us via the email listed below.
We’d be glad to connect.
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Alternatively, you can fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you shortly.
