Brendi Lands US$6.6M Led by Propel Ventures to Transform Restaurant Ordering

Brendi has secured a US$6.6 million investment round led by U.S.-based Propel Ventures as the Brazilian startup looks to expand its AI-powered conversational commerce platform for restaurants. The funding will support the company's growth strategy and strengthen its mission of helping food service businesses manage customer orders directly through WhatsApp.

The round also included participation from Brazilian venture capital firms Big Bets, Norte Ventures, and Citrino, alongside angel investors Patrick Sigrist, co-founder of iFood, and Daniel Silva, founder of Hyperplane.

Propel Ventures backs Brendi's conversational commerce strategy

According to the company, the participation of prominent angel investors played an important role in introducing Brendi to Propel Ventures, a fund recognized for investing in fintech companies such as Banco Neon and Nomad.

The combination of international and local investors reflects growing confidence in Brendi's business model and the potential of conversational commerce within Brazil's restaurant industry.

AI-powered platform helps restaurants manage orders through WhatsApp

Brendi has developed a platform that enables restaurants to automate customer interactions and order management entirely through WhatsApp.

Using artificial intelligence, the system can process both text and voice requests, display digital menus and complete payment transactions without requiring human assistance. By allowing restaurants to interact directly with customers, the platform creates an alternative sales channel that reduces reliance on traditional food delivery marketplaces and their associated commission fees.

Company targets rapid expansion after strong operational growth

Over the past year, Brendi has significantly expanded its operations.

The startup increased its customer base to 7,100 restaurants, while the number of weekly processed orders grew from 140,000 to 420,000.

With the new investment, the company plans to serve between 10,000 and 15,000 restaurants by the end of the year.

Part of the funding—approximately US$ 1.4 million—was also allocated to repurchasing shares from early angel investors.

Brendi projects continued revenue growth

Brendi currently reports an Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) of nearly US$ 5 million and expects that figure to reach up to US$9 million by the end of 2024.

Looking ahead, the company is targeting US$20 million in ARR by 2027, supported by a gross margin exceeding 40%.

Founder Daniel Frageri said Brendi expects to begin preparing for a Series A funding round within the next six months.

Flexible model complements rather than competes with delivery platforms

Brendi positions itself as a technology provider for restaurants instead of competing directly with delivery companies such as iFood and Rappi.

Restaurants using the platform can continue working with their own delivery teams or third-party logistics providers, giving them greater operational flexibility while maintaining direct ownership of customer relationships.

The model has gained particular traction in smaller Brazilian cities, where 85% of Brendi's customer base is located and the presence of traditional delivery applications remains lower.

Funding supports the next stage of growth

The US$ 6.6 million investment represents an important milestone for Brendi as it continues expanding its conversational commerce platform across Brazil's food service sector.

By enabling restaurants to manage customer relationships directly, automate order processing and reduce operational costs, the startup aims to strengthen its position in Brazil's technology ecosystem while scaling its operations and preparing for its next stage of fundraising.