Pulga, a new digital platform for peer-to-peer sales of used goods, has announced the successful closure of its pre-seed funding round. The startup has demonstrated remarkable early traction, attracting over 100,000 users in Chile within weeks of its launch in early March 2026. This rapid adoption signals strong market demand for a secure and efficient second-hand marketplace in the country.
Addressing a Market Gap with Experienced Leadership
The company was founded by Fede Coll and Alicia del Sol, both of whom bring significant expertise from their time at Wallapop, Spain's leading second-hand marketplace. Coll, who relocated from Spain to Chile to lead the venture, has over nine years of experience in operations and logistics. Del Sol, a Chilean industrial engineer, previously managed Trust & Safety and Customer Experience at the same company.
The founders identified a significant opportunity in the Chilean market, which they found to be large but fraught with friction and lacking a trusted central platform. "We saw in Chile the same opportunity that we saw in Spain years ago," stated co-founder Fede Coll. "It's a huge second-hand market without a platform that truly solves the problem of trust, and we came here to build it."
Securing Strategic Investment and National Recognition
The pre-seed funding round attracted a mix of investors from both Chile and Spain, providing a solid financial foundation for the startup's ambitious plans. Notably, the investment includes backing from a co-founder of Wallapop, a powerful endorsement that validates Pulga's business model and strategic direction. This support highlights investor confidence in the team's ability to replicate their previous success in a new market.
Further bolstering its position, Pulga was selected by CORFO, the Chilean Economic Development Agency, for its prestigious Semilla Inicia program. This government recognition not only provides additional funding but also serves as a crucial stamp of approval for the company's potential. The support from CORFO will be instrumental in helping Pulga scale its operations and achieve nationwide reach.
A Technology-Driven Solution for Trust and Convenience
Pulga's core mission is to eliminate the common pain points associated with second-hand transactions, such as fraud and logistical challenges. The platform integrates secure payments, buyer protection, and a seamless shipping process into a single, user-friendly application. This comprehensive approach is designed to build confidence between buyers and sellers, fostering a safer trading environment for everyone.
Technology, particularly artificial intelligence, is central to the platform's functionality and security measures. The company leverages AI algorithms to proactively detect and prevent fraudulent activity, ensuring a trustworthy marketplace for its users. Additionally, AI tools assist sellers by automatically generating listings and suggesting competitive prices, simplifying the entire sales process.
To solve the logistical hurdles of coordinating deliveries, Pulga has established a strategic partnership with Blue Express, a leading last-mile delivery provider in Chile. This collaboration enables nationwide shipping, removing the need for users to arrange inconvenient and potentially unsafe in-person meetings. The integrated logistics ensure a smooth and reliable experience from purchase to delivery across the country.
Fostering a Circular Economy in Chile
Co-founder Alicia del Sol emphasized the scale of the existing market and the gap Pulga aims to fill. "The second-hand market in Chile moves billions of pesos a year, but the vast majority of those transactions occur without any protection," she stated. Pulga was created specifically to change this dynamic by providing a secure and reliable alternative for consumers.
Beyond its commercial goals, the platform also delivers significant economic and environmental benefits to its community. Products listed on Pulga are, on average, 45% cheaper than their new equivalents, offering considerable savings to buyers. Each transaction also contributes to the circular economy by extending the useful life of products and reducing waste.
With a successful pre-seed funding round, a rapidly growing user base, and a leadership team with deep industry experience, Pulga is poised for significant growth. The company's technology-first approach directly addresses the critical issues of trust, safety, and convenience that have long hindered Chile's second-hand market. As it continues to scale its operations, Pulga is well-positioned to become the country's definitive platform for pre-owned goods.