Chilean B2B marketplace Lokal has successfully closed a US$700,000 funding round led by Invexor Venture Partners' Discovery II fund. The investment will fuel the company's mission to digitize and streamline the supply chain for small, independent retailers across the country. Founded in 2022, Lokal provides a centralized platform for businesses to manage inventory and access credit.
Streamlining Local Commerce
Lokal operates as a comprehensive wholesale marketplace for convenience stores, minimarkets, and pharmacies throughout Chile. The platform simplifies procurement by allowing owners to order from numerous suppliers through a single interface. It also provides crucial payment facilities, enabling small businesses to finance their inventory orders effectively.
The company currently connects over 500 suppliers with a network of more than 3,500 small businesses in 260 communes. This extensive reach has translated into significant financial growth, with the startup reporting an annualized revenue of US$5 million. This traction demonstrates a strong market need for its digital procurement solutions.
Strategic Investment for Growth
The US$700,000 investment from Invexor Venture Partners marks a significant milestone for the young company. Following the transaction, founders Nicolás Sarquis, Alberto Morelli, and Gabriel Lyon will retain over 75% ownership of the startup. This structure reflects strong investor confidence in the founding team's long-term vision and execution capabilities.
Lokal's successful fundraising was accelerated by its participation in the Discovery-A program, a joint initiative by Invexor and the UC Innovation Center. Out of 300 applicants, Lokal was selected for the sixth generation of the program. The company distinguished itself by becoming the first startup in its cohort to secure an investment round.
Fueling Expansion with AI
With the new capital, Lokal plans to significantly expand its current nine-person team and accelerate its national growth strategy. The company has set an ambitious goal to onboard more than 100,000 small businesses across Chile. This expansion will solidify its position as a key player in the country's retail supply chain.
A key focus of the investment will be the development of an advanced artificial intelligence tool for its users. This system will analyze sales data to recommend which products to purchase, in what quantities, and when to reorder. The goal is to function as a digital purchasing manager, optimizing inventory for small business owners.
Digitizing a Traditional Market
Lokal is part of a growing wave of B2B platforms aiming to modernize the supply chain for neighborhood stores in Latin America. This segment represents nearly half of all consumer sales in the region but has historically been underserved by digital tools. Companies like Lokal are addressing this gap by bringing efficiency and data to a traditional sector.
Co-founder Nicolás Sarquis emphasized the company's core belief in empowering local businesses with superior technology. "If the future of commerce is local, the best tools also have to be for them," he stated. This philosophy underpins Lokal's strategy to equip small retailers with the resources needed to thrive in a competitive market.
This US$700,000 funding round positions Lokal to accelerate its disruption of Chile's traditional retail sector. By combining national expansion plans with the development of sophisticated AI-driven tools, the company is poised for significant growth. The investment from Invexor Venture Partners validates Lokal's model and its potential to empower thousands of small businesses.