Rappi takes over the world—or more of Latin America at least

Contxto – Colombian last-mile delivery startup, Rappi, has revealed its plans to expand into more parts of Mexico and Peru. Naturally, this requires money which—thanks to rounds like SoftBank’s US$1 billion investment—is more than available.

In Mexico, the startup is targeting the cities of Chihuahua, Hermosillo, Culiacán, Toluca, and Tijuana. Rappi also wants to create rest stops for its “rappitenderos” (a cooky nickname for their delivery personnel) in the country. With these objectives in mind, the startup has tagged US$300 million which will be spent by the end of the year. 

Rappi here, there, everywhere

This Colombian startup expanded into Ecuador earlier this year. Meanwhile, in Peru, the startup is reaching its one year anniversary. During that time the scaleup announced it has gathered 2 million users in over five cities in which it has spent US$12 million to fuel its ever-expanding services.

In Mexico, it is likely that people will be seeing more of Rappi soon.

The startup already has “pit stops” for its deliverers in Bogota where they can drink water, eat, and relax. However, similar moves in Mexico constitute the startup’s preemptive response to protests against what these employees deemed unfair conditions.

This year, various countries—including its native Colombia—saw rumblings of this sort. So, rather than experience a deja vù in Mexico, Rappi is already planning out its rappi-rest areas for its rappitenderos there.

Moreover, in its goal to become the first Latin American super-app, Rappi has become an authorized fintech in Mexico. This means that its users can pay bills, entertainment services, even taxes on the app. Likewise, the startup wants to integrate its services onto the government’s electronic payment system, CoDi.

In sum, the unicorn is present in over 50 cities and countless services throughout the region and it just keeps growing. One can only hope it holds steady as it expands. Wouldn’t want the Latin American equivalent to WeWork to come of all this, would we?

The only question that remains is where will Rappi go next? My cereal? Oh wait, they already do grocery deliveries through RappiFavor, so technically they’re already part of a complete breakfast.

-ML