Liquido
acquired by Shift42 known investors
Payment solution for the unbanked population in Latin America; acquired by Shift4.
Also known as Liquido
Investors · 2
Also in the syndicate · 1
Company profile
researched Aug 2026Liquido is a payments technology company headquartered in Mountain View, California, building payments infrastructure for businesses operating in Latin America. Its stated focus is expanding access to digital payment methods in a region where cash payments remain prevalent, a gap the founders identified while working on Latin American markets at Uber and DiDi.
The company operated in stealth for about two years, running a closed beta with several regional consumer brands during which it processed more than $300 million in payments. It then opened its platform to regional and local retailers throughout Latin America. Among its products is the "WhatsApp Liquido-Store", a storefront through which consumers can browse, discover and purchase from merchants inside WhatsApp; the company has cited early adopters running Facebook and Instagram ad campaigns with direct click-through to their branded WhatsApp Liquido Store.
Founding story
Co-founder and CTO Shanxiang Qi has said that during his work at Uber and DiDi he spent several years focused on the Latin American market and was struck by the prevalence of cash payments for rides, concluding that even middle and upper income consumers in the region lacked convenient access to digital payments, which limited options for businesses. He founded Liquido with Mk Li, also a former Uber and DiDi employee.
Business model
Liquido supplies payments infrastructure to businesses selling in Latin America, enabling merchants to accept digital payments from consumers in the region, including through a WhatsApp-based storefront that connects shoppers to merchants.
Traction
More than $300 million in payments processed through a closed beta with several regional consumer brands prior to emerging from stealth.
▸Full profile — technology, go-to-market, geography, history
Technology
Payments infrastructure for Latin American businesses, plus a WhatsApp-based storefront product allowing consumers to browse and buy from merchants within the messaging app.
Go-to-market
The company built its initial volume through a closed beta with several regional consumer brands before opening access to regional and local retailers throughout Latin America, and distributes merchant storefronts through WhatsApp, with merchants driving traffic via Facebook and Instagram advertising.
Regional and local retailers and consumer brands selling in Latin America, and their end consumers.
Geography
Headquartered in Mountain View, California, with its commercial focus on merchants and consumers across Latin America.
History
Founded by Shanxiang Qi and Mk Li, former employees of Uber and DiDi, the company spent roughly two years building payments infrastructure for Latin American businesses before emerging from stealth with a $26m round led by Index Ventures. During that period it operated a closed beta with several regional consumer brands, through which it processed more than $300 million in payments, and subsequently opened access to regional and local retailers across Latin America.
Compiled by commissioned research from 5 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Timeline · 2
launches, deals, and filingsLiquido emerged from stealth mode announcing $26m in funding led by Index Ventures, with participation from Base Partners, Restive Ventures, Mantis VC and UpHonest Capital.
$26M source ↗
The company rolled out the "WhatsApp Liquido-Store", a storefront enabling users to browse, find and buy from merchants through WhatsApp.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
▸Research sources · 5
primary sources listed
- Liquido - YouTubeyoutube.com · web
5 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Liquido do?
- Mountain View-based payments infrastructure company serving Latin American merchants and consumers, including via WhatsApp storefronts.
- Who are Liquido's investors?
- Liquido's investors include Mantis Capital.
- Who acquired Liquido?
- Liquido was acquired by Shift4.