Pacto
Revolutionizing the Restaurant Industry in Latin America.
Startup Snapshot:
Startup Name: Pacto
Industry: Restaurant Technology / Software Development
Business Model: SaaS-based POS and E-commerce Solution
Founders: Gordon Whitehouse, Rodrigo Kuri, Ryan Croft
HQ Location: Mexico City, Mexico
Founded: 2021
Investors: 500 Global, Lightspeed Venture Partners, DILA Capital, First Check Ventures, Leap Global Partners, Femsa Ventures
Website: https://www.pacto.co/
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/getpacto/
Crunchbase Profile: https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/pactopos
The restaurant industry is experiencing a seismic shift as digital transformation sweeps across the globe. With approximately 3 million dining establishments in Latin America alone, restaurants are a crucial component of emerging economies. However, these establishments face numerous challenges, including outdated software, poor inventory management, limited online presence, and reliance on cash-based operations. Despite the enormous potential, there has been no accessible solution to help these businesses fully embrace digital transformation—until now.
What does Pacto do?
Pacto is a comprehensive SaaS-based point-of-sale (PoS) and e-commerce platform specifically designed to empower restaurants. Unlike traditional PoS systems, which are often fragmented, outdated, and inefficient, Pacto offers an all-in-one solution tailored to the restaurant industry's unique needs. The platform addresses critical pain points such as e-commerce integration, digital marketing, inventory management, and customer analytics.
What sets Pacto apart is its fully mobile solution, allowing restaurants to leverage existing smartphones for their operations, eliminating the need for additional hardware. Pacto’s platform is easy to onboard and includes features such as a digital storefront, automated payment reconciliation, real-time sales and inventory reporting, and dynamic menus with "order and pay" functionality via QR codes. This comprehensive approach helps restaurants streamline their operations, increase efficiency, and enhance customer satisfaction.
The Team:
The success of any early-stage startup lies in its founding team, and Pacto’s leadership is second to none. Ryan Croft, co-founder and CEO, brings a wealth of experience from his time as co-founder of TransitScreen, a successful SaaS company. His deep understanding of Latin American culture and market dynamics positions him well to drive Pacto’s growth in the region.
Gordon Whitehouse, co-founder and CTO, has a strong background in building startups and leading product development teams. With experience working with notable companies such as Rosetta and Apple, he is a valuable asset in product development and marketing strategies.
Rodrigo Kuri, co-founder, adds significant value with his extensive leadership experience in prominent financial institutions like Citibanamex and Banco Santander. His expertise in financial services is crucial for navigating the complex landscape of payment processing and e-commerce integration in the restaurant industry.
Why now?
The timing for Pacto’s launch couldn’t be better. Restaurants’ digital transformation is accelerating, driven by the need to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and meet evolving customer expectations. However, many restaurants, especially in emerging markets like Latin America, have been slow to adopt digital solutions due to the high cost and complexity of available technologies.
Pacto enters the scene at a critical moment, offering an affordable, user-friendly solution that meets the specific needs of these businesses. With the restaurant industry representing a vital segment of the emerging market economy, the interest in digitizing operations is growing rapidly. Pacto is positioned to become a valuable ally in this transformation, helping restaurants unlock new revenue streams and improve their overall business performance.
What sets Pacto apart?
Pacto differentiates itself in several key ways. Firstly, its fully mobile solution allows restaurants to use their existing smartphones, reducing the need for costly hardware investments. This makes the platform more accessible, especially for smaller businesses. Secondly, Pacto’s holistic approach integrates all essential functions—e-commerce, PoS, inventory management, and digital marketing—into a single platform, eliminating the need for multiple, disconnected systems.
Furthermore, Pacto's strategic partnerships with established financial industry players, such as Getnet, Grupo Santander's merchant acquiring division, provide a significant advantage. These partnerships allow Pacto to tap into existing infrastructure and distribution channels, enabling it to reach a broader audience at a lower cost, enhancing its growth prospects and value proposition.
Key Takeaways:
Pacto offers an accessible, comprehensive digital solution tailored to the unique needs of restaurants in Latin America.
The platform addresses critical pain points, including e-commerce integration, inventory management, and digital marketing, all in one place.
Pacto’s fully mobile solution allows restaurants to leverage existing smartphones, reducing the need for costly hardware.
Strategic partnerships, such as with Getnet (Grupo Santander), enhance Pacto’s reach and growth potential.
The experienced leadership team, with deep expertise in SaaS, product development, and financial services, positions Pacto for success.
Pacto is not just a point-of-sale system but a complete digital transformation partner for restaurants, enabling them to thrive in the digital age.
VC Headlines:
InnovationRx: The FTC Is Going After Pharmacy Middlemen - Forbes
OpenAI Slashes the Cost of Using Its AI With a “Mini” Model- Wired
Axelerate Talent Network:
Special thanks to our sponsor:
Axented helps businesses design, build, and scale their products and teams worldwide.
With over 10 years of experience and a diverse portfolio of more than 300 projects delivered in over 15 countries, Axented has established itself as a trusted partner in the tech industry.
Renowned for its expertise and commitment to excellence, Axented provides innovative solutions to help businesses thrive in a digital world.
