Chilean conversational AI startup Chattigo has been acquired by Capacity, an AI-powered support platform headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. The transaction closed in May 2026 after a process that began in late February, and while official terms were not disclosed, sources close to the deal estimate the value at around US$60 million. That figure would represent roughly five to seven times Chattigo's annual recurring revenue.
From WhatsApp Hack to Omnichannel Platform
Founded in 2015 by Ernesto Doudchitzky, Iván Vivas, and María Vivas, Chattigo began before Meta launched an official API for businesses. The founders developed a reverse engineering system over WhatsApp and capitalized on the broader shift from voice recognition to text-based customer messaging. Today the platform manages 15 digital channels with artificial intelligence and automates customer service, sales, post-sale support, collections, and marketing workflows.
A Multi-Year Exit Plan
Chattigo prepared for an exit over several years by conducting annual audits, working with a French investment bank for nearly a year, and maintaining profitability since 2021. The management evaluated three strategic scenarios in parallel and attracted interest from four potential buyers before closing with Capacity. Passing the US$10 million ARR threshold proved pivotal, as it accelerated the process considerably.
Lean Capital and Complex Negotiations
Throughout its history, Chattigo raised only about US$2 million in external capital. It participated in Imagine, secured three Corfo credit lines, and later received investments from Alaya Capital, Fen Ventures, and Morro Ventures. The negotiation was not frictionless, as the company faced contractual differences with advisors and later disagreements with some investors before completing the deal with legal support from Cuatrecasas, Carey, and Pérez-Llorca.
Capacity's Serial Acquisition Strategy
Capacity was founded in 2017 by David Karandish, who previously sold Answers.com for about US$900 million, and its client roster includes Apple, Disney, and Walmart. The company has integrated eight acquisitions, surpasses US$100 million in annual recurring revenue, and serves more than 20,000 clients. Before adding Chattigo, Capacity lacked a meaningful WhatsApp presence and a consolidated operation in Latin America.
What Chattigo Brings to Capacity
With Chattigo, Capacity gains customers in banking, retail, and logistics, along with operations in Chile and Mexico and native Spanish capabilities. The acquisition also enables Capacity to integrate WhatsApp into its operations in England and Spain, where the channel carries greater weight than in the United States. Chattigo currently serves more than 800 companies across over 20 markets, employs more than 100 people, and is an official Meta partner.
Lessons for Latin American SaaS Founders
This exit confirms that a profitable B2B SaaS company in Latin America can attract a global strategic buyer without relying on large venture capital rounds. A differentiated distribution position, official partnerships, and a regional customer base all contributed to the valuation multiple. For founders, the case illustrates the importance of planning exit scenarios years before a transaction becomes necessary.
The acquisition of Chattigo by Capacity shows how disciplined operational execution and regional expertise can generate substantial value. The deal strengthens Capacity's Latin American footprint and opens new WhatsApp opportunities in European markets. For Chile's technology ecosystem, the outcome reinforces a growing playbook in which profitability and strategic positioning outweigh dependence on large funding rounds.