A springboard to success

“If women want to live in a different world — one that is more inclusive and attuned to their needs — we must use our agency to create that world.”

In the fast-paced world of impact-driven startups, the right connections and strategic support can be the catalyst for transformative growth. This is the story of how Retorna, a financial platform for migrants founded by 2023 fellow Atilana Piñón, discovered a champion in Anna Raptis of Amplifica Capital.

Through collaboration and connection, their partnership, fueled by the Cartier Women's Initiative, led to remarkable growth, funding success and a shared vision for empowering women and communities across the globe.

A fortuitous first meeting

The journey between Atilana Piñón and Anna Raptis began in 2023, during a jury evaluation for the Cartier Women's Initiative. As a jury member, Anna was tasked with assessing Retorna's progress, but what began as a formal evaluation quickly evolved into a meaningful mentorship and lasting partnership.

Anna recalls being immediately struck by Atilana's commitment to providing financial access for migrants and her ability to build a business through bootstrapping — a rare feat in the venture capital world. "She showed grit and resilience, which is extremely important because being an entrepreneur is not an easy path," Anna shared.

The two reconnected in Paris during the 2023 Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards Week, where deeper conversations about Retorna's mission unfolded. As a 2023 fellow, Atilana's week was an exciting whirlwind of new connections, learnings and opportunities. Looking back, her discussions with Anna stood out as the support extended far beyond simple advice — Anna actively leveraged her network to open doors for Atilana, including supplying introductions to key investors who would prove instrumental to Retorna's future.

"My first impression of Anna was that she genuinely wanted to help. She asked insightful questions, was eager to provide support and believed in Retorna's potential — not just financially but also in terms of relationships that could help us scale," Atilana reflected.

Sparking growth through strategic investment

With Anna's mentorship, Retorna refined its business model and secured a critical lead investor. In fact, 50% of its funding round was secured through introductions facilitated by Anna. By mid-2024, Retorna successfully closed its funding round, marking a pivotal turning point that sparked its transition from a startup operation towards an ambitious growth strategy.

The investment empowered Retorna to scale rapidly, growing by 55% in 2024. The company made key hires to optimize internal processes, invested in securing financial licenses for international expansion and channeled resources toward product innovation. With a second financial product set to launch in Q2 of 2025, Retorna is on track to become a comprehensive financial hub for migrants.

"The funding gave us the foundation to execute our long-term strategy and accelerate our impact," Atilana emphasized.

For Anna, investing in Retorna aligned perfectly with Amplifica Capital's mission to back female-founded companies that deliver both strong financial returns and meaningful social impact.

The transformative power of the Cartier Women’s Initiative

Both Atilana and Anna credit the Cartier Women's Initiative with playing a transformative role in their journey together. For Atilana, the program provided not only strategic guidance but also the confidence and polish needed to refine her pitch and fundraising strategy.

"Being part of the Cartier Women's Initiative community has been transformative. It has reinforced the power of meaningful human connections and the importance of both giving and receiving support," Atilana expressed. With the Cartier Women’s Initiative's backing, Retorna secured PR recognition, invitations to major conferences and vital investor introductions. These efforts culminated in an oversubscribed seed round of $1.8 million USD.

Anna echoed this sentiment, praising the program for its holistic support. "The Cartier Women's Initiative provides many key elements: technical support and knowledge sharing, access to an outstanding community of entrepreneurs and mentors, and crucially, capital. It's an extremely worthwhile program that I am proud to be a part of," she said.

Women supporting women

Anna is passionate about the need for women to champion and invest in one another. "If women want to live in a different world — one that is more inclusive and attuned to their needs — we must use our agency to create that world. That means investing in other women and the kinds of companies we want to see thrive," she asserted.

While mentorship is valuable, Anna believes that what women entrepreneurs truly need is capital. Her investment in Retorna is a testament to the power of women supporting women not only through advice but through tangible financial backing.

Programs like the Cartier Women's Initiative, along with visible role models like Atilana, are critical in shifting the landscape for women in tech and impact entrepreneurship. "Role models are extremely important. Women sharing their stories encourages more women to participate," Anna emphasized. Over the past decade, she has witnessed a gradual increase in the participation of women in tech in Latin America — a trend she is eager to accelerate through her work.

Final words of wisdom

When asked to summarize her experience with the Cartier Women’s Initiative in three words, Atilana chose: Encouraging, transformative, and collaborative

Her advice to early-stage impact entrepreneurs considering applying to the Cartier Women's Initiative? "Believe in yourself. If you have a purpose-driven business, apply with authenticity, confidence and transparency — it will open doors to unparalleled opportunities."

As Retorna continues to grow, its journey underscores a vital truth: with the right support system, mission-driven businesses can not only survive, but thrive — creating lasting, meaningful change on a global scale.