Brazilian delivery giant iFood has solidified its position in the online grocery market by acquiring a minority stake in Daki, a rapid delivery startup. This strategic investment deepens an existing commercial partnership between the two companies, signaling a significant move in Brazil's competitive digital retail landscape. The deal underscores iFood's ambition to expand beyond its dominant restaurant delivery business into the vast supermarket sector.
A Strategic Partnership Deepens
The agreement involves iFood taking a minority share of less than 5% in Daki, although the financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. This investment formalizes a relationship that began in February 2024 when Daki's ultra-fast delivery services were integrated into the iFood platform. The collaboration has proven successful, providing iFood users with rapid grocery options while driving incremental demand for Daki's services.
iFood's Marketplace Expansion Strategy
This acquisition aligns with iFood's broader strategy to grow its supermarket vertical, which saw a 60% increase in sales volume between March 2025 and March 2026. The company emphasizes its role as a neutral marketplace, focusing on technology and logistics to connect retailers with consumers. Arthur Lima, Director of Marketplace at iFood, affirmed that the company will not manage inventory, instead focusing on impartial distribution intelligence.
Lucas Pittioni, iFood's Vice President of Legal and M&A, noted that Brazil's R$ 1 trillion supermarket sector is still in the early stages of digitalization. He described the investment as a recognition of Daki's strong execution and mature business model. This approach follows a similar pattern to iFood's previous investment in the grocery platform Shopper, reinforcing its partnership-driven growth model.
Daki's Operational Milestones and Growth
The investment coincides with a significant achievement for Daki, which recently announced it has reached breakeven, recording a positive EBITDA for the first time since its 2021 launch. The startup is approaching R$ 1 billion in annualized revenue and maintains a growth rate of over 50% per year. These milestones highlight the efficiency of its business model in a challenging market.
Daki's co-founder, Rafael Vasto, attributes this success to a vertically integrated logistics chain built over five years, from direct sourcing to final delivery. He stated that the future of supermarkets will be defined by digital infrastructure and AI-native technology platforms. The company leverages artificial intelligence for demand forecasting, route optimization, and personalizing offers for its customers.
Future Outlook and Market Context
With the new capital from iFood, Daki plans to accelerate its expansion beyond its current strongholds in São Paulo and Minas Gerais. The company intends to open new operational hubs in other Brazilian cities throughout 2026. This growth will further challenge competitors in the fast-paced convenience delivery space, where efficiency and speed are paramount.
The partnership strengthens iFood's position against rivals like Rappi, which operates its own dark stores and logistics. iFood's strategy of partnering with specialized players like Daki and Shopper allows it to offer rapid delivery without the operational costs of managing its own retail infrastructure. This move reflects the evolving dynamics of the post-pandemic online grocery market, favoring efficient and specialized models.
Ultimately, iFood's investment in Daki represents a powerful synergy, combining a leading delivery platform's vast user base with a specialized, operationally efficient grocery service. This collaboration is poised to accelerate the digital transformation of Brazil's food retail industry, offering enhanced convenience for consumers. The move solidifies a strategic alliance that will likely shape the future of online supermarket shopping in the region.