Uruguay-based Terraflos, a multinational developer of bioactive ingredients and functional products, has acquired a majority stake in Peruvian foodtech startup +NUTRI Co in an eight-figure transaction. Cofounders Carlos Noceda and Daniel Nuñez remain shareholders and will continue leading the business, which uses its proprietary AI platform, Virgilio IA, to formulate functional foods.
The deal ranks among the most significant M&A transactions involving a Peruvian startup in recent years, according to Startups Latam. +NUTRI Co operates in Peru, Chile, and Mexico, offering more than 50 SKUs across seven product categories.1 The company has sold more than 30 million products and expects revenue to grow 50% in 2026 compared with the previous year.
Terraflos closes eight-figure acquisition of Peruvian foodtech startup +NUTRI Co
The acquisition expands Terraflos' presence in the functional foods market while giving +NUTRI Co access to new markets and production capabilities. Following the deal, +NUTRI Co will launch +NUTRI Co Functional, a new product line powered by Terraflos' bioactive ingredients.
+NUTRI Co plans to expand into Argentina, Colombia, and Uruguay through Terraflos' commercial and manufacturing network. The two companies had worked together before this acquisition. Terraflos invested $2 million in +NUTRI Co in July 2024 and acquired an initial equity stake, according to Startups Latam.
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Noceda said Terraflos had observed +NUTRI Co's operations since their initial investment and shared the vision of bringing science, technology, and nature to mass consumption across the region. Nuñez added that the company believes its best years lie ahead as part of a group aligned on using technology, science, and nature to improve health for millions in the region.
How Terraflos' expansion into six LATAM markets reshapes foodtech talent demand
The transaction creates immediate workforce planning implications for companies hiring talent in Peru's growing foodtech sector and across the region. +NUTRI Co's expansion from three to six markets requires teams capable of navigating distinct regulatory environments, consumer preferences, and distribution channels in Argentina, Colombia, and Uruguay.
Integrating Terraflos' bioactive ingredients into +NUTRI Co Functional products demands professionals who bridge biotechnology research and consumer product development. This includes roles in formulation science, quality assurance for bioactive compounds, and regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
Companies expanding recruitment into Colombia and Argentina will compete for talent with experience in both traditional food manufacturing and AI-driven product development. The projected revenue growth signals aggressive scaling that typically requires expanded commercial teams, supply chain specialists, and operations managers familiar with cross-border logistics.
The deal also highlights compensation pressures in the region's foodtech sector. Eight-figure valuations and majority acquisitions establish benchmarks that influence salary expectations for senior product developers, data scientists, and commercial leaders. Employers seeking to retain or attract talent with AI platform experience or bioactive ingredient expertise will need to account for these market dynamics.
AI-driven product development and regional scaling opportunities for LATAM foodtech teams
+NUTRI Co's Virgilio IA platform, named after Peruvian chef Virgilio Martínez, optimizes the formulation of functional food products. The platform's integration with Terraflos' bioactive ingredient capabilities creates demand for data scientists and food technologists who can train AI models on ingredient interactions, nutritional profiles, and consumer taste preferences.
Expansion into three additional markets requires localized product adaptation. Teams must reformulate existing SKUs to comply with labeling regulations, source region-specific ingredients, and adjust flavor profiles for local palates. This work typically involves cross-functional collaboration among R&D, regulatory affairs, and marketing personnel.
Manufacturing scale-up presents another talent challenge. Terraflos' production network must integrate +NUTRI Co's SKUs while maintaining quality standards across multiple facilities. This requires process engineers, production planners, and quality control specialists familiar with both artisanal food production and industrial-scale manufacturing.
For employers in Uruguay, the deal reinforces the country's position as a hub for biotech and foodtech innovation. Companies operating as a Uruguay recruitment agency will see increased demand for bilingual professionals who can coordinate operations across Spanish and Portuguese-speaking markets.
The transaction demonstrates how strategic M&A reshapes talent flows in Latin America's startup ecosystem. Founders who remain with acquired companies often bring teams with them, creating retention challenges for competitors and opportunities for professionals seeking exposure to larger-scale operations and international expansion.