Brazil allocates over R$150 billion annually to public security, representing 1.3% of its GDP. In 2025, spending on public security outpaced investments in education and healthcare in several regions, highlighting its growing importance amid rising violence and upcoming elections. In this context, U.S. investment firms Benchmark and Greenoaks have injected $40 million into Pax, a Brazilian AI startup focused on enhancing public security, marking the largest seed funding round for a Brazilian startup.
Pax has created an AI platform that integrates data from disparate sources like security cameras and police reports, transforming fragmented information into actionable insights. This innovation has been adopted by about 30 cities in Paraná and Goiás, where it has significantly reduced crime rates and increased case resolution rates.
The platform is marketed to public security departments and government agencies, supporting but not replacing traditional investigations. Pax’s founders, including former executives from Meta and Nubank, emphasize the platform’s role in improving efficiency in crime-solving, particularly in cases where traditional methods fall short.
With Brazil experiencing around 40,000 homicides annually and a low clearance rate, Pax’s technology offers a promising solution. The startup, which employs 70 people, many of whom returned from abroad for this mission, plans to expand internationally to address similar challenges in other countries.
The investment by Benchmark and Greenoaks, both experienced in backing major tech companies, underscores the potential of Pax’s platform to transform public security. The founders, driven by a sense of purpose, are committed to leveraging AI to address the pressing issue of security, which remains a top concern for Brazilians.
