Amazon has acquired a stake in Rappi, a Colombian “super-app” that started as a food e delivery platform and is popular across all Latin America. The investment, structured as a US$ 25 million convertible note, positions the Silicon Valley tech giant to potentially increase its share in the latin startup if certain performance milestones are met.
This move aligns Amazon’s vast retail and technological infrastructure for e-commerces with Rappi’s extensive last-mile logistics network, potentially strengthening the American company’s competitive position versus regional leader in the sector, MercadoLibre. For Rappi, the alliance not only brings capital but also access to world-class logistics and cloud services: assets vital for scaling efficiently across the region.
Founded in 2015 by Simón Borrero, Felipe Villamarín, and Sebastián Mejía in Bogotá, Rappi quickly evolved from a food service into a Latin American “super-app,” offering services from pharmaceutical delivery to financial services across nine countries. As of mid-2025, Rappi had raised over US$ 2.6 billion in funding, from investors such as Altman Capital and Opera Ventures, reaching a valuation estimated in US$ 5 billion.
The convertible note’s inclusion of warrants enables Amazon to increase its stake up to approximately 12% if Rappi meets agreed milestones. Meanwhile, Rappi continues its funding momentum with a recent US$ 100 million credit line with Santander, announced this August to support expansion, refinancing, and working capital across Latin America.
As Rappi gears up for a potential IPO, the Amazon deal may serve as a strong endorsement for institutional investors and public markets. Observers will be watching how the Colombian startup uses the giant partner resources to scale its “Turbo” ultrafast-delivery model for last-mile, deepen regional market penetration, and continue differentiating itself in a delivery market trending toward commoditisation.
