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April 30th, 2025
Zapia Secures over $12M in Total Seed Funding to Scale its AI Executive Assistant Across Latin America
In fresh funds led by Prosus Ventures, Zapia is now one of the most funded AI startups based in Latin America
Zapia, a leading WhatsApp-based AI executive assistant for Latin America, has just raised an additional $7.25M. Today’s announcement of an oversubscribed seed round is led by Prosus Ventures, one of the world's largest tech and e-commerce investors. Endeavor Catalyst (led by LinkedIn's Reid Hoffman), Anthos Capital, Factory HQ, and SnR also participated in the round. Zapia had previously secured $5.1M, bringing its total seed funding to $12.35 million, and is now one of the most funded AI startups based in Latin America.
Zapia is used by more than 3.5 million users across the region and is a free, all-in-one tool that helps people find products and services, manage tasks, set reminders, summarize content, and more, all through a simple chat interface.
Compared to their counterparts in developed markets, Latin Americans face uniquely compressed schedules. They often work longer hours and spend more time commuting. Across the region, the arrival of new technologies has been slower compared to the US and Europe. As a result, Latin Americans have limited free time and need innovative tools to help them achieve more in their compressed schedules.
There’s a clear need for a disruptive AI solution that can help Latin Americans get more free time. That’s why just 18 months after launching, Zapia has amassed over 3.5 million users, with the vast majority joining through word of mouth. “I come from Uruguay, a country of just 3 million people, so seeing Zapia exceed that number in users shows how deeply the solution resonates,” said Juan Pablo Pereira, CEO and co-founder of Zapia.
"Our mission is to use AI to help Latin Americans save time, save money, and live better," explained Pereira. "This funding enables us to accelerate this mission, expand our team and invest in our technology."
The company's initial viral growth came from its ability to answer almost any question and transcribe WhatsApp audio messages for free. Today, Zapia can navigate the web on the user’s behalf, interpret images and PDFs, write content, set WhatsApp reminders, schedule WhatsApp messages and more. There is nothing to install; users simply start chatting with Zapia on WhatsApp to get things done. While WhatsApp remains the primary access point, the company has also launched iOS and Android apps, which have earned top ratings and over half a million downloads so far.
“Zapia stands out for its differentiated product and rapid traction in a uniquely mobile-first, messaging-driven market,” said Denis Pedreira, Head of Latin America Investments at Prosus. “In just a year, the team has built an AI assistant that goes far beyond basic automation—integrating multi-step reasoning, natural language processing, and actionable outcomes, with enormous potential for lifestyle e-commerce applications. By embedding directly into WhatsApp and tailoring to the behavioral norms of consumers and businesses across Latin America, Zapia is tapping into a dynamic that global players often overlook. The founders have shown exceptional speed, focus, and insight into the region’s needs, and we’re excited to support them as they scale this category-defining platform.”
Looking ahead, Zapia plans to use part of its new funding to develop a game-changing feature. This upcoming functionality will transform how users handle their daily tasks, creating an entirely new experience. "This represents a fundamental shift in how Latin Americans will manage their daily responsibilities," Pereira explained. "It's like having a personal assistant that works for you while you do other things." The company has opened a waitlist (available at zapia.com/waitlist) for users wanting first access to the beta version.
Zapia is used by more than 3.5 million users across the region and is a free, all-in-one tool that helps people find products and services, manage tasks, set reminders, summarize content, and more, all through a simple chat interface.
Compared to their counterparts in developed markets, Latin Americans face uniquely compressed schedules. They often work longer hours and spend more time commuting. Across the region, the arrival of new technologies has been slower compared to the US and Europe. As a result, Latin Americans have limited free time and need innovative tools to help them achieve more in their compressed schedules.
There’s a clear need for a disruptive AI solution that can help Latin Americans get more free time. That’s why just 18 months after launching, Zapia has amassed over 3.5 million users, with the vast majority joining through word of mouth. “I come from Uruguay, a country of just 3 million people, so seeing Zapia exceed that number in users shows how deeply the solution resonates,” said Juan Pablo Pereira, CEO and co-founder of Zapia.
"Our mission is to use AI to help Latin Americans save time, save money, and live better," explained Pereira. "This funding enables us to accelerate this mission, expand our team and invest in our technology."
The company's initial viral growth came from its ability to answer almost any question and transcribe WhatsApp audio messages for free. Today, Zapia can navigate the web on the user’s behalf, interpret images and PDFs, write content, set WhatsApp reminders, schedule WhatsApp messages and more. There is nothing to install; users simply start chatting with Zapia on WhatsApp to get things done. While WhatsApp remains the primary access point, the company has also launched iOS and Android apps, which have earned top ratings and over half a million downloads so far.
“Zapia stands out for its differentiated product and rapid traction in a uniquely mobile-first, messaging-driven market,” said Denis Pedreira, Head of Latin America Investments at Prosus. “In just a year, the team has built an AI assistant that goes far beyond basic automation—integrating multi-step reasoning, natural language processing, and actionable outcomes, with enormous potential for lifestyle e-commerce applications. By embedding directly into WhatsApp and tailoring to the behavioral norms of consumers and businesses across Latin America, Zapia is tapping into a dynamic that global players often overlook. The founders have shown exceptional speed, focus, and insight into the region’s needs, and we’re excited to support them as they scale this category-defining platform.”
Looking ahead, Zapia plans to use part of its new funding to develop a game-changing feature. This upcoming functionality will transform how users handle their daily tasks, creating an entirely new experience. "This represents a fundamental shift in how Latin Americans will manage their daily responsibilities," Pereira explained. "It's like having a personal assistant that works for you while you do other things." The company has opened a waitlist (available at zapia.com/waitlist) for users wanting first access to the beta version.
Behind Zapia is one of Latin America's most experienced AI teams.
- Nicolás Loeff (CTO), based in Silicon Valley, has a PhD in Machine Learning, is a Fulbright Scholar, and was previously leading AI teams for Google. He has been working in AI and Machine Learning for the last 15 years.
- Juan Pablo Pereira (CEO) is the Co-Founder and former CEO of Tiendamia.com, the leading cross-border e-commerce company in LATAM, with 9-figure sales across 10 countries.
- Martín Alcalá Rubí (who has been building AI companies like TryoLabs and MonkeyLearn for the last 15 years).
- Juan Olloniego (Msc in Machine Learning, previously at Landing AI and TryoLabs).
- Pablo Rodríguez Bocca (PhD in Computer Science, previously at Antel) round out the leadership team with deep expertise in AI research and product execution.
The team's ambition is straightforward: use AI to help Latin Americans save time, save money, and live better. As AI advances globally, Zapia wants to make sure Latin America is not left behind.
About Zapia
Zapia, the AI executive assistant for Latin Americans, is one of the region’s fastest-growing AI products. With its focus on solving real-world tasks, Zapia has over 3.5 million users gained primarily through word-of-mouth. Users rely on Zapia to set WhatsApp reminders, schedule WhatsApp messages, transcribe voice notes, interpret images and PDFs, search for products online and retrieve up-to-date information from the internet, along with more than 20 additional features designed to remove daily friction and give users back their time.About Prosus Ventures
Prosus is a global consumer internet group and one of the largest technology investors in the world. Operating and investing globally in markets with long-term growth potential, Prosus builds leading consumer internet companies that empower people and enrich communities.Through the Prosus Ventures team, the group invests in new technology growth opportunities within AI, social and e-commerce platforms, fintech, B2B software, logistics, health, blockchain, agriculture and more.
The team actively backs exceptional entrepreneurs who are using technology to improve people’s everyday lives.
Each month, more than 2 billion customers across the globe use the products and services of companies that Prosus has invested in, acquired or built. To find out more, please visit www.prosus.com.