Linx

In 1985, a 22-year-old Nércio Fernandes dropped out of his civil engineering program in São Paulo to start a software company. This venture, initially named Microserv, began by creating software for local fashion retailers. This was the seed that would grow into Linx, a dominant force in Brazilian retail software. The company focused on providing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions, becoming the essential operating system for thousands of merchants across the country. By handling everything from inventory management to point-of-sale systems, Linx embedded itself deep within the daily operations of its clients. The company's journey took a significant turn in 2013 with a successful IPO on the Brazilian stock exchange, raising over R$500 million. This event provided the capital for further expansion and solidified its market leadership. A few years later, in 2019, Linx dual-listed its shares, launching an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange and raising an additional $308 million. This positioned the company on a global stage, attracting international investors. The story culminated in a major acquisition in 2020. After a competitive bidding process, Brazilian payments unicorn StoneCo acquired Linx for approximately R$6.8 billion, a landmark deal in the Brazilian market. The merger represented a powerful combination of software and financial services, aiming to create a comprehensive, integrated platform for merchants, covering both their operational and payment needs.