Quito, Ecuador - January 23, 2026

 

IMPAQTO Capital announces an investment in Cirkula, a Peruvian circular economy startup reducing food waste while expanding access to affordable food across Latin America, with operations in Peru and Ecuador.

 

The investment is structured as a revenue-based loan, enabling Cirkula to access flexible, non-dilutive capital to scale its impact-driven business model and accelerate regional growth.

Across Latin America, food waste and food insecurity coexist at scale. Large volumes of edible food are discarded daily due to inefficiencies in commercialization, while households across urban centers face rising food prices and limited access to affordable options. Addressing this imbalance is both an environmental imperative and a compelling economic opportunity.

Founded in Peru in 2020 by Jimmy Baudts and Michelle Gomberoff, Cirkula was created to combat food waste by connecting businesses and consumers through a digital marketplace. Through its mobile app, restaurants, cafés, bakeries, and supermarkets sell surplus products—typically close to their recommended consumption date—at discounts of at least 40%. Consumers purchase these products via the app and pick them up directly at the store, recovering value that would otherwise be lost while reducing food waste.

Cirkula was inspired by the founders’ realization that, despite Peru’s globally recognized gastronomy, there was no scalable and sustainable solution to address food loss. Drawing on successful international models, they built a technology-driven platform adapted to local market realities.

Unlike “surprise box” models, Cirkula emphasizes transparency: users can see exactly which products they are purchasing, including descriptions and recommended consumption dates. The company generates revenue through a commission per transaction paid by participating businesses, alongside a fixed fee paid by users—resulting in a model that is both financially viable and environmentally impactful.

Since its launch, Cirkula has rescued thousands of food products, generated meaningful savings for consumers, and helped businesses recover costs that would otherwise be lost, while contributing to reduced waste across the food value chain. The company has been recognized through innovation competitions such as Star Perú and has successfully expanded operations to Ecuador, consolidating its presence in cities such as Quito.

“Cirkula represents the kind of pragmatic, systems-level solution we look to support,” said Justin Schwartz, General Partner at IMPAQTO Capital. “Food waste sits at the intersection of climate, inequality, and inefficiency. Cirkula shows how circular economy models—when rooted in technology and strong local partnerships—can deliver real impact while building scalable businesses. This investment fits squarely within our strategy of backing companies that turn structural challenges into engines for inclusive growth.”

“At Cirkula, we look for key partners in each country, not just capital,” said Michelle Gomberoff,  cofounder of Cirkula. “With what we are building in Ecuador, partnering with IMPAQTO Capital—a fund that deeply understands the local context and actively works to activate underserved markets—could not be a better match. We share a common vision of scaling real impact, leveraging hybrid capital to grow sustainably and accelerate the circular economy across the región.”

The investment will support Cirkula’s continued expansion in Ecuador, strengthen its commercial and operational capabilities, and accelerate its regional growth, advancing a more efficient, inclusive, and circular food system in Latin America.
 

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