Branddu AI secures US$300K pre-seed to expand its MerchTech platform across the Americas

Branddu AI has officially launched following the merger of Branddu and Reno, bringing together artificial intelligence, proprietary technology and an extensive supplier network to modernize how companies source merchandise and promotional products across Latin America.

Alongside its debut, the company announced a US$300,000 pre-seed investment led by 500 to accelerate its regional expansion and strengthen its position in the emerging MerchTech sector.

Branddu AI closes US$300K pre-seed round

As part of its launch, Branddu AI secured a US$300,000 pre-seed investment from 500, one of Latin America's best-known investment and acceleration platforms. Including previous funding, the company has now raised a total of US$800,000.

The capital will be used to strengthen operations across Latin America, expand into the United States and establish MerchTech as a globally recognized category.

A merger designed to modernize the merchandise industry

The newly created company combines the capabilities of Branddu and Reno, two businesses that independently pursued the same objective: transforming an industry that has traditionally relied on manual workflows through artificial intelligence and digital technology.

Branddu contributes its regional presence in Colombia, Mexico and the United States, while Reno brings its expertise in MerchTech, a technology-driven approach focused on improving corporate merchandise procurement. Together, the companies aim to build the technological infrastructure needed to modernize the industry across Latin America.

"Bringing Branddu and Reno together lets us accelerate something we had each been pursuing separately: digitizing, from the ground up, an industry that operated slowly and manually for years. We want to build the infrastructure this market needs to operate with the speed and transparency companies demand today, and Latin America has the talent and the suppliers to lead that transformation," said Mariana Velásquez, CEO and co-founder of Branddu AI.

Addressing a market still dependent on manual processes

Despite representing a significant global industry, merchandise procurement remains largely dependent on time-consuming quotation processes, fragmented supplier networks and limited inventory visibility.

According to Grand View Research, the global promotional products market generates approximately US$90 billion annually. In the United States alone, the sector is expected to generate more than US$27 billion in 2025, according to the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI).

In Latin America, companies operating across multiple countries often face additional challenges, including different supplier networks, inconsistent pricing and uncertain delivery timelines. Branddu AI seeks to eliminate these inefficiencies through a centralized digital platform where businesses can search, quote, customize and purchase products within minutes.

From marketplace to AI-powered MerchTech platform

Founded in Bogotá in 2019 by Mariana Velásquez, Branddu initially operated as a marketplace that connected promotional product suppliers. Over time, the company evolved into a B2B platform offering thousands of customizable products, instant quotations, inventory visibility and online product design capabilities.

Meanwhile, Reno, founded in Mexico by Sebastián Illescas, focused on applying automation, artificial intelligence and technology to corporate merchandise purchasing. Following the merger, this MerchTech approach becomes the foundation of Branddu AI's strategy.

"At Reno, we pioneered MerchTech: using technology to fundamentally transform the way brands purchase their promotional products. This merger takes that category to a new scale, with an immediate and intuitive experience. Technology doesn't replace—it optimizes," said Sebastián Illescas, CRO and co-founder of Branddu AI.

Expansion plans across Latin America and the United States

Branddu AI will be led by Mariana Velásquez as CEO and co-founder, alongside Sebastián Illescas as CRO and co-founder.

The company currently operates with a team of 21 employees based in Mexico and Colombia. Combined, Branddu and Reno have served more than 700 clients, completed over 4,150 projects and built a catalog of more than 35,000 products. Their customer portfolio includes Netflix, Canva, Kavak, Clara, JP Morgan, GBM, AXA, Samsung, Warner Bros. Discovery and WeWork.

Its platform centralizes every stage of the merchandise purchasing process—from product discovery and inventory management to quotations, customization, online design and purchasing—through a single digital experience. The company also plans to incorporate products imported from Europe into its offering.

Looking ahead, Branddu AI aims to become the leading platform for merchandise procurement across Latin America while building a MerchTech category capable of competing in the world's largest market, the United States.