In much of Latin America, seeing a doctor can feel less like a health decision and more like a financial gamble. With private insurance out of reach for many and public healthcare stretched thin, millions of people either go without care or borrow money at predatory rates.
For Sebastian and Gabriel Chirinos, it was clear: there had to be a better way.
Their answer is Kiwi, a healthcare financing platform they co-founded, which officially launched this week with $10 million in seed funding. Backed by investors including HFD and MVRK Capital, Kiwi is starting its rollout in Peru with plans to expand to Mexico and beyond – all from Miami.
The goal? To build an entirely new financial foundation for the region’s healthcare system.
“The numbers speak for themselves,” Sebastian said. “In Latin America, there’s a $60 billion out-of-pocket market, a $20 billion medical equipment market, and providers losing up to a third of patients due to lack of financing.”
Kiwi’s approach is twofold: help patients afford care, and help clinics grow.
On the patient side, Kiwi works like a “buy now, pay later” platform, covering out-of-pocket costs that might otherwise be barriers to treatment.
For providers, it offers equipment leasing and cash flow financing, allowing doctors to modernize their practices without drowning in upfront costs. All of this is underpinned by a proprietary risk model that blends traditional financial factors with health-specific data points, giving Kiwi a sharper edge than a typical lender.
As Gabriel explained it: “We are diligently working to improve the healthcare landscape in Latin America by providing innovative financial solutions that bridge the gap between patients and providers.”
In Peru, Kiwi already has 73 clinics signed up across specialties like dental care, ophthalmology, fertility, and esthetics, with about 150 more expected in the coming months. Each clinic represents dozens or hundreds of patients who can now access treatments they might have delayed or skipped altogether.
Leading Kiwi’s efforts in Peru is Daniella Poppe, who pointed out that the platform’s real-time, tech-enabled system could mean the difference between waiting years for a critical procedure and getting help right away. “Our platform provides real-time, tech-enabled solutions that empower patients to access life-changing care while enabling healthcare providers to scale their impact,” she commented.
Next up is Mexico, where Kiwi has already lined up a joint venture with a major player in the health sector. Their expansion plan also includes tapping into the booming U.S. medical tourism market (Americans traveling abroad for more affordable healthcare). Central America is in their sights too, with Panama, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, and El Salvador listed as near-term targets.
“With Kiwi, we are on our way to creating a more equitable and accessible healthcare ecosystem that works for everyone,” Gabriel said.
Pictured above: From left, Kiwi Co-Founder Sebastian Chirinos, CEO Daniella Poppe, Co-Founder Gabriel Chirinos.
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