An interview with Viva Benefits CEO and Co-Founder Michael Barnes

Rio Grande Guardian's Podcast

AUSTIN, Texas - Viva Benefits, which was co-founded by former Rio Grande Valley teacher Michael Barnes, has announced a $2.2 million pre-seed fundraising round led by Chingona Ventures.

Viva Benefits is a network of affordable housing partners that helps renters access essential benefits like health, education, and financial wellness.

Chingona’s motto is: Investing in the founders of tomorrow at the beginning stages of today.

Samara Hernandez, founding partner at Chingona Ventures, said the new funding will accelerate Viva’s mission to make renter benefits mainstream and help bridge the 40X wealth equity gap between renters and homeowners.

“We are excited to invest in Viva because the founding team understands the real estate and property technology market and Viva has a clear path to scale,” said Samara Hernandez, founding partner at Chingona Ventures.

With the cash infusion, Hernandez has become a member of Viva’s board of directors.

While Chingona has led the fundraising effort, additional investors include Graham & Walker, Techstars Ventures, Altari Ventures, Everywhere Ventures, Vitalize Angels, and Atlanta Technology Angels. Notable angel investors including PadSplit CEO Atticus LeBlanc, and Bob Simpson, founder of the Multifamily Impact Council.

In an interview with the Rio Grande Guardian, Barnes, Viva’s CEO co-founder, said the median net wealth for a renter is approximately $10,000. He said this compares to $400,000 for the median homeowner.

“This is primarily due to home equity. Viva addresses the 40X disparity by empowering housing partners to offer life-changing renter benefits,” said Barnes, a former classroom teacher turned software engineer.
“We are ready to help make renter benefits as commonplace as employer benefits, and for our housing partners to reap the same rewards employers do – from increased retention to reduced expenses.”

Barnes explained that Viva enables renters — including primarily diverse, low- to middle-income families — to access essential benefits such as health, education, and financial wellness. He gave examples such as telehealth, virtual tutoring for kids, cash back in a high-yield savings account, and pre-qualification for grants to buy a home.

“This helps renters to stay healthy and happily employed, so they can pay their rent, maintain a stable home, and build wealth to make forward progress on their personal goals, like homeownership.”
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