Few entrepreneurs manage to leave their mark across different industries as strongly as Emiliano Fernández Balagué. Known for being one of the minds behind AstroPay and DLocal, two fintech powerhouses that emerged from Latin America, he is now channeling his innovative spirit into sports management, athlete development, and real estate ventures in the United States.
His story reflects a clear mission: to connect innovation, business, and social impact. Through projects such as Sport Summa and the Sports Performance Hub (SPH) in Miami, Fernández Balagué is reshaping the way sports and entrepreneurship intersect.
From Digital Payments to Sports Leadership
Emiliano’s fintech journey began with AstroPay, a pioneer in digital payment solutions across Latin America. Later, he co-founded DLocal (NASDAQ: DLO), which quickly became a global leader in cross-border transactions for emerging markets.
“The principles that shaped my fintech career scalability, accessibility, and innovation are the same ones guiding me today in sports,” says Fernández Balagué.
With Sport Summa and SPH, his goal is to create sustainable opportunities for athletes, particularly those from Latin America, by giving them access to world-class infrastructure, training, and professional networks.
Sport Summa: Building Athletes’ Futures
Founded alongside tennis icons Juan “Pico” Mónaco and Mariano Zabaleta, Sport Summa has grown into a comprehensive sports management and marketing firm.
Its mission includes:
- Representing athletes throughout their entire careers.
- Creating strong brand partnerships and sponsorship strategies.
- Designing long-term plans for personal and professional growth.
By linking athletes, global brands, and investors, Sport Summa has established itself as a trusted name in the evolving sports business landscape.
Sports Performance Hub (SPH): A New Standard in Miami
Located in Miami-Dade, Florida, the Sports Performance Hub is envisioned as the most advanced sports complex in the Americas.
It integrates:
- Elite high-performance training facilities.
- Sports science, wellness, and recovery programs.
- Education supported by cutting-edge technology.
With Miami set to become a global sports capital and one of the host cities of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, SPH positions itself as the place where athletes, brands, and innovators converge.
“SPH is not just a facility — it’s an ecosystem for athlete development and sports entrepreneurship,” Fernández Balagué explains.
Ferbal Capital and Lifestyle Investments
Beyond fintech and sports, Fernández Balagué manages Ferbal Capital, his family office and investment arm. His portfolio is defined by projects that combine economic growth with positive social impact, including:
- Investments in digital payments and blockchain solutions.
- Real estate developments in Miami, Brooklyn, and Port St. Lucie.
- Lifestyle brands such as USHI Outdoors, promoting premium outdoor experiences and sustainable tourism.
All of these ventures reflect a single vision: improving quality of life through innovation and sustainability.
A Global Vision and Lasting Legacy
For Emiliano Fernández Balagué, the bigger mission is to bridge gaps across industries and borders:
- Expanding financial inclusion in underserved markets.
- Building world-class sports infrastructure in the U.S.
- Creating ecosystems that empower individuals and communities.
“What drives me is not only building successful businesses, but also leaving behind a legacy of transformation and global impact,” he says.The path of Emiliano Fernández Balagué is one of disruption, innovation, and vision. From pioneering fintech solutions with AstroPay and DLocal to reshaping sports through Sport Summa and SPH, his work highlights how entrepreneurship can empower people and create opportunities worldwide.
