Celes processes 55 million demand forecasts every day. That is more forecasts than there are people in Colombia. The number, reported last October, is the clearest signal of the Barranquilla-based startup’s ambition: to become the automated brain for inventory and supply chain decisions across Latin America’s sprawling retail networks [Forbes Chile, October 2026].
Its platform ingests data from nearly 20 types of ERP and point-of-sale systems, churns through predictive models, and spits out purchase orders and replenishment plans. For a client like the Colombian supermarket chain Olímpica, the reported result was fewer empty shelves and lower logistics costs [ecosistemastartup.com, retrieved 2026]. The company says over 90% of replenishment decisions now execute autonomously [startupslatam.com, retrieved 2026].
The Wedge: From Consulting to Autopilot
The founders did not start with a software product. Luis Ricardo Almanza Herazo (CEO), Luis Miguel Ballestas Ayala (COO), and David Florián (CTO) ran a data analytics consultancy for four years, solving recurring inventory and forecasting problems for retailers [forbes.co, retrieved 2026]. That hands-on work became the blueprint for Celes. The initial wedge was straightforward: connect to the retailer’s existing tech stack, convert its fragmented operational data into SKU-by-store forecasts, and automate the recommendations. No rip-and-replace required.
The platform has since modularized. Its offerings now include Demand Planning, Distribution, Purchasing, and a supplier collaboration module. A dedicated solution for pharmacies predicts batch-level expiration risk by location [celes.ai, retrieved 2026]. The core bet is that regional retailers, often underserved by global enterprise software giants, will pay for AI that works with their legacy systems and local market nuances.
The Team Behind the Data
The founding trio brings a combined 45 years of experience in Colombian finance, operations, and technology, a depth that likely resonated with early investors [Celes - by Daniel Rodriguez and Andres Gonzalez, retrieved 2026].
- Luis Ricardo Almanza Herazo (CEO). His background is in finance, with stints in stockbroking, investment banking, and as a CFO for mid-sized Colombian companies [foundations.axented.com].
- Luis Miguel Ballestas Ayala (COO). He co-founded the food-delivery service Come Ya, led it until its acquisition by iFood in 2016, and then ran iFood’s Colombian operations [foundations.axented.com].
- David Florián (CTO). He built a 16-year career in data management at major Colombian firms like Ecopetrol, Nutresa, and Bancolombia [foundations.axented.com].
This blend of local operational grit, exit experience, and deep technical data work is uncommon in early-stage LatAm ventures. It provided a credible foundation for selling into complex, conservative retail organizations.
Scaling on a Regional Checkbook
Celes has raised its capital in measured, regional increments. The backing tells a story of growing validation from investors with local market expertise.
| Date | Round | Amount | Lead Investor |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2023 | Seed | $1,000,000 | Primeline Group [latamlist.com, July 2023] |
| May 2024 | Seed | $3,000,000 | FEMSA Ventures [The SaaS News, May 2024] |
| October 2026 | Series A | $5,000,000 | SP Ventures [Forbes Chile, October 2026] |
The $3 million seed in 2024 was led by FEMSA Ventures, the corporate venture arm of the Mexican retail and beverage giant. That is a strategic investor, not just a financial one. The most recent $5 million Series A, closed in late 2026, was led by São Paulo-based SP Ventures, with participation from Fulcrum Global Capital, 30N Ventures, and Chile’s Taram Capital [Forbes Chile, October 2026]. The total disclosed funding now sits at approximately $9 million.
Traction and the Integration Hurdle
Client logos include Olímpica, FEMSA Salud, and Tiendas Neto [theinvestorsociety.com, retrieved 2026]. The scale claim is the 55 million daily forecasts across more than 8,500 stores in eight countries, a significant jump from an earlier reported footprint of over 400 points of sale [Forbes Chile, October 2026] [Contxto, July 2023]. This suggests successful expansion beyond its initial Colombian base.
The primary risk is not technological novelty but implementation depth. The platform’s value is contingent on deep, clean integration with a retailer’s existing ERP and POS systems,a process that can be slow and fraught with legacy data issues. Furthermore, automating over 90% of replenishment decisions represents a profound shift in workflow for store managers and buyers. Adoption requires change management as much as it requires accurate algorithms.
The company’s answer to this is its consultancy origins. Having built the software from actual client problems, the team is likely familiar with these integration and adoption hurdles. The reported results at Olímpica, where the platform reduced stockouts and handling costs, serve as a tangible case study for prospects [ecosistemastartup.com, retrieved 2026].
The Next Twelve Months
The $5 million from SP Ventures and others is earmarked for expansion. The question is where. The platform already serves eight countries, but deepening its footprint in existing markets like Mexico and Chile, or moving into Brazil’s massive retail sector, would be logical next steps. The pharmacy vertical, with its acute expiry-risk problem, represents another clear expansion lane.
Celes has positioned itself at the intersection of two powerful trends: the digitization of Latin America’s traditional retail sector and the practical application of AI to operational data. Its $9 million in backing from a syndicate that includes Primeline, FEMSA Ventures, and SP Ventures is a vote of confidence in that intersection. The bet is that regional expertise and automated decision-making can build a defensible business where one-size-fits-all global software has struggled. Can a company from Barranquilla become the default operating system for shelves from Mexico City to Santiago?
Sources
- [Forbes Chile, October 2026] Esta startup barranquillera levantó US$5 millones para su expansión y los chilenos de Taram Capital la apoyan | https://forbes.cl/negocios/2026-10-28/esta-startup-barranquillera-levanto-us5-millones-para-su-expansion-y-los-chilenos-de-taram-capital-la-apoyan/
- [Contxto, July 2023] Celes raises $1M in seed capital for its AI-driven retail solution | https://contxto.com/en/deals/celes-raises-1-million-in-seed-capital-for-its-ai-driven-retail-solution/
- [The SaaS News, May 2024] Celes Secures $3 Million in Seed Round | https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/celes-secures-3-million-in-seed-round/
- [latamlist.com, July 2023] Celes secures $1M in seed funding for AI-driven retail solution | https://latamlist.com/celes-secures-1m-in-seed-funding-for-ai-driven-retail-solution/amp/
- [foundations.axented.com] Celes - by Daniel Rodriguez and Andres Gonzalez | https://founderslaunchpad.axented.com/p/celes
- [startupslatam.com, retrieved 2026] Celes company profile | https://startupslatam.com/company/celes
- [ecosistemastartup.com, retrieved 2026] Celes implementation case study | https://ecosistemastartup.com/celes-case-study
- [theinvestorsociety.com, retrieved 2026] Celes client profile | https://theinvestorsociety.com/company/celes
- [celes.ai, retrieved 2026] Celes - AI para Supply Chain en Retail | https://www.celes.ai/es
- [forbes.co, retrieved 2026] Celes founding story | https://forbes.co/company/celes