Barbara D'Amato

Conviction drives markets. Not just investing in sectors, not just following trends- but allocating capital based on where you truly believe value will emerge, even when the benchmarks don’t exist and the noise is overwhelming. This is especially true in politically complex or frontier markets. Conviction becomes an asset class itself: it shapes timing, scale, and willingness to take risk where others hesitate. Investors who act without it are often sidelined; those who cultivate it gain access, optionality, and sometimes, outsized outcomes. There is no better example than Charles Myers of Signum Global Advisors. If you've been following the news at all, he recently labelled Venezuela as a "major infrastructure play… as big as $500 billion over the next 10 years" and warned markets of not being "overly pessimistic". https://lnkd.in/eVgPCn-a Politics aside, Transforming conviction into an asset class is probably the most critical- and most under-utilized skill in venture investing. You need it every day: to raise capital for your fund, to back startups in uncertain sectors, and to make allocation decisions when benchmarks don’t exist. But how do you turn conviction into tangible access, optionality, and alpha? Here's how to put it in practice as a VC or startup operator- especially if you operate in fragmented, emerging or difficult-to-price markets: 1. Let conviction guide your deals, not headlines. Identify founders and sectors you believe in, and lean into them before the crowd does. Oversubscription and buzz are signals, not determinants. 2. Structure investments to reflect belief. Stage capital, reserve follow-on funding, or secure optionality to scale exposure without over-concentrating risk. Conviction only works when it’s backed by disciplined execution. A mission simply isn't enough- unless it drives scale. 3. Optionality is a superpower. Early bets are exciting, but markets are volatile. Build in ways to pivot, double down, or exit gracefully- so conviction doesn’t turn into overexposure. 4. Information and networks amplify conviction. Advisors, LP relationships, and operator insight transform ambiguity into actionable decisions. The best VCs leverage access as much as insight. Actually, access is an asset class in itself. Charles Myers of Signum Global Advisors isn’t a VC, but he demonstrates the principle beautifully- turning political and economic uncertainty in frontier markets into structured frameworks that make capital act decisively. The lesson for VCs: the same principles apply to startups, sectors, and emerging technologies. Conviction is not a feeling. It’s a repeatable, disciplined skill- and the closer you get to mastering it, the more your fund, your portfolio, or your startup benefits. Full profile link in comments 👇

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The U.S.–Argentina trade agreement marks a clear inflection point for the private sector in both countries. It is the most comprehensive trade framework ever concluded between the two nations and reflects a deeper alignment in economic policy, strategy, and long-term vision. For businesses and investors, this means greater market access, improved predictability, and a stronger foundation for long-term planning. For Argentina, the agreement accelerates global integration, strengthens export capacity, and reinforces investor confidence through clear rules and market-oriented policies. For U.S. companies, it opens a reform-driven market with expanding opportunities across energy, agribusiness, infrastructure, mining, and advanced manufacturing. Beyond trade flows, the agreement carries strategic importance. It anchors Argentina more firmly within the U.S. economic and institutional framework at a time of global competition for capital and supply chains—an alignment that matters for risk assessment and long-term value creation. This agreement sets the stage for sustained private-sector engagement and meaningful cross-border partnerships in the years ahead. — Roberto J. Argüello President, CEO Advisors

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Lincoln International advised Peak Rock Capital on the agreement to sell Spatial Business Systems to Enverus, a portfolio company of Blackstone Learn more about the transaction: https://lnkd.in/dDenwBKp #TechnologyTransaction #IndustrialSoftware

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The Inter-American Development Bank has issued a $100m (€86m) bond for investment  in sustainable development projects in the Amazon region, the first in a planned $1bn bond series. https://lnkd.in/eE9Nj6SD

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#NEWS | #PGZ is pleased to announce results of detailed underground channel sampling at the Providencia target, in the Company’s 100%-owned Cármenes Project (“Cármenes”) in northern Spain. The results highlight a wide sulphide-rich breccia zone in the former Providencia mine workings with high grades of copper, nickel, and cobalt, plus gold. “The Cármenes Project is a compelling opportunity to discover significant high-grade copper, nickel, cobalt and gold associated with hydrothermal breccia mineralization at multiple targets,” said Tim Moody, Pan Global’s President and CEO. “The new channel sample assay results from the walls of the approximately 100-year-old Providencia mine workings confirm the high-grade nature of the sulphide-rich copper, cobalt and nickel mineralization that was previously mined. The new sampling and mapping are providing valuable information on the geological controls on the mineralization, and potential for expansion,” said Mr. Moody. “Additional drilling is required to test for expansion of the high-grade sulphide breccia zone, particularly in the west where the highest-grade copper-nickel-cobalt channel samples are located. Drilling is currently investigating potential for more extensive gold mineralization east of the mine workings.” - https://bit.ly/4moUuov #copper #mining #juniormining #stockstowatch #stockstobuy #investing #criticalminerals #newsrelease

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Bank of America foresees increased economic stability in Mexico by 2026, expecting a more vibrant economy in the coming year. The bank emphasizes the need for judicial reform to bolster legal certainty and attract investments. #MexicoFDI #FDI Factors such as relocation, the #USMCA, and Plan Mexico are projected to drive growth. Emilio Romano, CEO of #BankofAmerica in #Mexico, stresses the importance of judicial reform translating into enhanced legal certainty for businesses. The bank aims to support a judicial system that ensures confidence, impartiality, and decisive outcomes. #Nearshoring Looking ahead to 2026, Bank of America predicts a 1% economic growth in Mexico, building upon a 0.6% growth in 2025. This growth is attributed to the review and renegotiation of the USMCA, new investments under Plan México, economic activities linked to the 2026 World Cup, and the influx of companies relocating to Mexico. The economic trajectory is closely tied to the performance of the United States and Mexican exports. #NearshoringCRE Addressing security concerns, Romano acknowledges advancements in President Claudia Sheinbaum's security strategy while underscoring the persistent challenge of physical security for sustained economic progress. He advocates for clear regulations by the Tax Administration Service (SAT) to maintain a stable business environment. Furthermore, Romano envisions Mexico transitioning towards developed country status sooner than expected, contingent on upholding trust, legal certainty, and consistent public policies. Mexico is poised to leverage global supply chain realignments to attract increased private investments, positioning itself for structural transformation and economic advancement. https://lnkd.in/eU-bHECd

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Honored to be part of the Leadership Panel at ACSDA (Americas Central Securities Depositories Association) in São Paulo. It is a great opportunity to share perspectives on the critical role that financial market infrastructures play in the development and resilience of capital markets, as well as to explore the ongoing innovation shaping our industry. I do expect very engaging discussions, valuable insights, and inspiring exchanges with industry leaders committed to driving the future of market infrastructure. #Leadership #CapitalMarkets #FinancialInfrastructure #Innovation #CSD #Finance

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We at Bank Street are honored to have been associated with this first of its kind Data Center JV transaction and look forward to the exciting developments that will stem from this partnership.

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At Vision Americas International, we are not only monitoring developments on the ground; we are analyzing the structural conditions that will determine when and how capital can re-enter critical sectors such as energy. The rebound may not be immediate. But those who prepare early, with informed strategy and long-term vision, will be best positioned to capture value when the window opens. If you are interested in rigorous analysis on energy, political risk, and investment dynamics across the Americas, I invite you to follow our page Vision Americas International and join the conversation.

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