# Z1

**Source:** https://geo.sig.ai/brands/z1  
**Vertical:** Finance  
**Subcategory:** General  
**Tier:** Emerging  
**Website:** z1.com.br  
**Last Updated:** 2026-04-14

## Summary

São Paulo teen banking app acquired by NG.Cash (Feb 2025); $23.8M YC W21-backed with 1M+ users, TikTok-native growth adding to NG.Cash's 6M+ combined user base in Brazilian Gen Z banking.

## Company Overview

Z1 (now integrated into NG.Cash) was a São Paulo, Brazil-based digital banking app for teenagers and young adults — providing prepaid cards, financial management tools, and money education for the Brazilian Gen Z demographic that is underserved by traditional banking. Founded in 2020, backed by Y Combinator (W21), Homebrew, Kaszek Ventures, and Maya Capital with $23.8 million raised, Z1 grew at 30% per week at peak, amassed 1+ million users, and was acquired by NG.Cash in February 2025, adding Z1's users to NG.Cash's 6+ million combined user base.

Z1's product was designed around the reality of teenage financial life in Brazil: teenagers can't open traditional bank accounts independently (parental co-signature required), yet face real money management needs (receiving allowances, splitting costs with friends, making online purchases). Z1 provided a free prepaid card (Mastercard) that parents could fund and monitor, plus financial literacy content that positioned Z1 as the first financial product for many Brazilian teenagers. The TikTok-native marketing approach (Z1 built a large TikTok following by creating content about money for Gen Z) was innovative for fintech distribution.

In 2025, following the NG.Cash acquisition, Z1's product is being integrated into NG.Cash's teen banking platform. The combined NG.Cash + Z1 entity competes in the Brazilian teen banking and Gen Z financial services market with PicPay (Itaú-backed, massive Brazilian digital wallet), Nubank's teen account (Nu), and Inter (INTR) for the youngest cohort of Brazilian bank customers who will grow into primary banking relationships over the coming decade. The teen banking market is strategically valuable for long-term customer acquisition — capturing a user's first financial account creates lasting banking loyalty. Kaszek and Homebrew's investment validated the Latin American Gen Z fintech opportunity.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is Z1?
Z1 was a digital banking app founded in 2020 in São Paulo, Brazil that provided prepaid cards and financial services specifically designed for teenagers and young adults in Latin America. The company focused on helping young users achieve financial independence through money management education and was part of Y Combinator's Winter 2021 cohort.

### What products and services does Z1 offer?
Z1 offers digital banking for teens, prepaid cards, a mobile banking app, financial education resources, and money management tools. These services are designed to help young people learn financial responsibility and manage their money effectively.

### Who is Z1's target audience?
Z1 targets teenagers and young adults (Gen Z) in Latin America who are seeking financial independence and want to learn money management skills. The company built a strong presence on TikTok to reach this demographic.

### When was Z1 founded?
Z1 was founded in 2020 and participated in Y Combinator's Winter 2021 (W21) cohort.

### Where is Z1 based?
Z1 is based in São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

### How much funding has Z1 raised?
Z1 raised a total of $23.8 million in funding, including a $10 million Series A round in November 2021. Key investors include Homebrew, Kaszek Ventures, and Maya Capital.

### What are Z1's key achievements and growth metrics?
Z1 achieved impressive growth with 30% weekly growth and 200% monthly growth rates. The company built a user base of over 1 million users and grew to 157 employees before its acquisition.

### What was Z1's approach to reaching its target market?
Z1 built a strong presence on TikTok to reach and engage with its Gen Z target audience. The company focused on financial education and money management to help teenagers and young adults achieve financial independence.

### How can I get started with Z1?
Following Z1's acquisition by NG.Cash in February 2025, Z1's services have been integrated into NG.Cash's platform. Users should contact NG.Cash for information about accessing digital banking services.

### What is the latest news about Z1?
Z1 was acquired by NG.Cash in February 2025, bringing over 1 million Z1 users into a combined user base of more than 6 million. This acquisition consolidates two major Gen Z-focused digital banking platforms in Latin America.

## Tags

b2c, fintech, mobile-first, latin-america, startup

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*Data from geo.sig.ai Brand Intelligence Database. Updated 2026-04-14.*