Most investors stick to what they know. They build expertise in one sector, one region, or one type of business model. But Alejandro Betancourt takes a different approach: he looks for value wherever it emerges, whether that’s African mobile banking, European fashion retail, or Spanish transportation technology.
The result is a portfolio that spans continents and industries, from BDK Financial Group’s banking operations in West Africa to Hawkers’ global sunglasses business to Auro Travel’s ride-sharing platform in Spain. Each represents a separate bet on different market opportunities, guided by a consistent investment philosophy.
This philosophy has led him to recognize emerging trends before they become obvious to mainstream investors—positioning early in Africa’s mobile money revolution, backing European direct-to-consumer brands, and building transportation infrastructure in regulated markets.
Recognizing Africa’s Mobile Money Potential
Africa’s mobile money market processed $1.1 trillion in transactions during 2024, representing 65% of global mobile money value. But when Alejandro Betancourt helped establish BDK Financial Group and launch Banque de Dakar in Senegal during June 2015, this explosive growth was far from guaranteed.
Most Western investors viewed Africa’s fragmented banking sector as too complex and risky. Traditional banks dominated other regions, but Africa was different—many consumers had never used formal banking services, making mobile-first financial solutions more appealing than legacy infrastructure.
“We put forth a lot of effort, and we really followed it through,” Alejandro Betancourt said about BDK Financial Group’s development. “Basically, we have an excellent team, and in the banking industry, it’s all about background.”
Banque de Dakar expanded across francophone West Africa, including Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, and Mali. The timing proved prescient—Africa now accounts for 82 billion of the world’s 108 billion mobile money transactions, about 74% of global activity.
According to GSMA data, 44% of mobile money providers now issue loans to customers while 34% offer savings products, demonstrating how the infrastructure has evolved beyond basic transfers. Africa’s payments market, valued at over $2.7 trillion, continues expanding as digital adoption accelerates.
Building European Consumer Brands
While developing banking infrastructure in Africa, Alejandro Betancourt simultaneously pursued a completely different opportunity in European fashion retail. Hawkers, the Spanish sunglasses company where he serves as president, represents a separate investment thesis focused on direct-to-consumer brands and social media marketing.
Hawkers began with a $300 investment by Spanish entrepreneurs selling affordable sunglasses online. The concept attracted Alejandro Betancourt because it challenged established luxury eyewear brands through digital marketing and lower prices. After leading a €50 million funding round in 2016, he became president of the company.
“Once I start something, I just don’t stop,” said Alejandro Betancourt. “I try to see every single option that could turn negative and try to mitigate it beforehand. Even if the idea is great [and] you have the right people, it’ll always surprise you with things that are not expected.”
Under his leadership, Hawkers expanded from a small Spanish startup to a global brand selling over 4.5 million pairs of sunglasses across more than 20 countries. The company’s success demonstrated how European startups could compete with established luxury brands through innovative marketing and streamlined operations.
The investment reflects his broader philosophy about identifying market shifts before they become obvious. Direct-to-consumer brands were emerging across multiple industries, but few investors understood how social media marketing could disrupt traditional retail channels.
Spotting Transportation Opportunities
Alejandro Betancourt’s involvement with Auro Travel represents yet another separate investment opportunity—this time in Spanish transportation technology. The ride-sharing platform operates independently from his other ventures, representing a distinct bet on mobility services in regulated European markets.
Auro Travel’s success attracted acquisition bids of around €200 million from Uber and Cabify in late 2022, demonstrating the value of well-positioned transportation platforms. The company’s growth reflected his ability to identify opportunities in regulated markets where local players could compete against global giants.
Each of these investments—African banking, European retail, and Spanish transportation—operates independently while reflecting common themes in his investment approach: early positioning, strong management teams, and markets undergoing fundamental shifts.
The Philosophy Behind Diversification
Rather than building integrated businesses, Alejandro Betancourt’s approach focuses on identifying value creation opportunities across different sectors and geographies. His investments don’t need to connect directly—they succeed or fail based on their individual merits and market conditions.
“There are 10,000 good ideas out there,” he said. “But not all of them come to be a successful venture—because there are many factors that make them successful. The most critical one is the people.”
This people-focused approach explains how he can operate across such diverse industries. Rather than requiring deep sector expertise in every investment, he focuses on management quality and market timing while providing guidance and capital.
“I surround myself with good talent and people that I think can run it efficiently and I can understand what they’re doing,” Alejandro Betancourt noted about managing businesses across different regulatory environments and market conditions.
Cross-border business payments in Africa are projected to grow 20-25% annually, potentially reaching $600 billion by 2030. European direct-to-consumer brands continue expanding globally. Transportation technology evolves toward autonomous and electric vehicles.
Each represents separate opportunities that require different expertise, regulatory knowledge, and operational capabilities. Success comes from recognizing these trends early and backing strong teams to execute, rather than trying to connect everything into one integrated strategy.
“We’re going to be more involved in AI, we’re going to be more involved in manufacturing for technology, robotics, etc. which is high risk, high reward,” Alejandro Betancourt said when discussing future investment areas.
His track record demonstrates how diversification across sectors and geographies can create value through independent successes rather than integrated operations. While competitors focus on single markets or industries, he continues identifying opportunities wherever they emerge—exactly the approach that has characterized his most successful investments.
Keep reading: Alejandro Betancourt Says ‘Business Intuition’ Is His Success Secret
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