Chilean fintech Haulmer has announced its acquisition of Apanio, an all-in-one e-commerce platform for small businesses. This strategic purchase is Haulmer's second major acquisition, following its 2025 takeover of Fpay from the Falabella group. The move aims to create a comprehensive digital ecosystem that supports every aspect of a small business's operations.
A Strategic Move to Empower Small Businesses
The acquisition of Apanio completes a key piece of Haulmer's strategy to become an indispensable partner for small enterprises. It adds a crucial online sales component to its existing suite of tools for payments, invoicing, and inventory management. CEO San Feng stated their vision is to provide every product a business needs on their platform.
Initially, Apanio will be integrated into Haulmer's product suite as a complimentary service for its client base. The Apanio brand and its team will be retained to ensure a smooth transition for current users. The long-term plan involves evolving the platform into a marketplace to promote products from micro and small businesses.
The Rationale Behind the Acquisition
The foundation for this acquisition was laid two years ago when the companies first explored a partnership based on a shared mission. Both firms were dedicated to empowering small entrepreneurs through accessible technology, making the eventual merger a natural fit. The deal was formally agreed upon in December and officially closed on March 18.
Apanio was established during the COVID-19 pandemic to help micro-entrepreneurs transition to online sales amid widespread lockdowns. The platform quickly grew into a comprehensive solution, offering everything from online store creation to payment and delivery integrations. At the time of its sale, it supported over 500 active stores and had thousands more created on its system.
According to Apanio founder Roberto Camhi, Haulmer was selected from a pool of approximately 40 interested companies. While other offers may have been financially superior, Haulmer's commitment to a shared vision was the deciding factor. This choice was made to guarantee not just continuity but also significant growth and value for the established Apanio seller community.
Haulmer's Ambitious Expansion and Future Roadmap
This acquisition comes as Haulmer accelerates its growth, with plans to launch a new financial services division named AndCo. Leveraging the license from its Fpay purchase, this unit will offer digital accounts and integrated financial management tools. The initiative is a significant step toward Haulmer's goal of becoming a digital bank for businesses.
The company is also expanding its hardware offerings, recently launching a digital cash register to complement its Tuu payment terminals. A self-service kiosk for restaurants is set to debut soon, alongside a specialized restaurant management software developed over the past year. These innovations are designed to further streamline operations for its clients in various sectors.
Haulmer is setting its sights on regional expansion beyond Chile, signaling a new phase of its growth strategy. The company plans to launch operations in Peru during the third quarter of the current year. Following its entry into the Peruvian market, Haulmer intends to continue its expansion into Mexico and Colombia.
The acquisition of Apanio marks a pivotal moment for Haulmer, reinforcing its role as a leader in the digital transformation of small businesses. This integration underscores a growing fintech trend toward building complete ecosystems that simplify every facet of commerce. By consolidating these services, Haulmer is positioned to drive efficiency and growth for entrepreneurs across Latin America.