Chile's Alteria lands angel funding at $3M valuation to bring AI to store floors
What's the deal? AlteriaDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, a Chilean retail technology startup, has raised an undisclosed angel round at US$1.94M valuation. Its backers include Juan Pablo CuevasDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → of Cornershop, Sebastián Ferrer of RindegastosDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, Enrique Gundermann formerly of Sodimac, and Alfredo Moreno, a former minister and co-founder Cristóbal Leturia's former boss.
What's the endgame? Alteria builds an AI assistant that helps physical stores give accurate product information to staff and shoppers. Sales reps consult it during service, customers reach it via QR code, and it updates a daily database of more than 750,000 products covering specs, compatibilities, prices, and store-level stock.
Why now? Leturia, a former undersecretary of Public Works, spent roughly 15 years advising retail chains in Chile and Peru, where he saw high sales-staff turnover as a structural problem. He co-founded the company with engineer Bernd Biedermann and Felipe Moreno after learning of AI tests at Home DepotDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →; the pair built their first prototype in two weeks in Boston.
Early traction: Alteria works with about 10 clients operating across more than 100 stores, mainly in hardware, technology, and cosmetics. The company is targeting the physical store, which accounts for roughly 88% of sales in Chile.
What's next? Alteria plans to stay focused on Chile until at least mid-2027, aiming for $1 million in annual recurring revenue by then. It intends to expand into Peru, Colombia, and Mexico once the model is validated at home.
Leturia said the investors were chosen for strategic experience spanning commercial growth, software, in-store implementation, and retail change, not just capital. He framed the industry's main challenge as cultural: he cited US studies showing 48% of consumers consult an AI tool before buying.
The signal: Physical retailers face pressure to modernise customer service without replacing human staff. Alteria is betting that in-store AI can address staff turnover — and become part of the pre-purchase conversation before shoppers reach the shelf.
Read more: startupresearcher.com
Image credit: Elvert Barnes
