CULQI
CULQI is the payment platform subsidiary of BCP/Credicorp in Peru, offering POS terminals (CulqiFull), an online gateway (CulqiOnline), and payment links (CulqiLink) to SMB merchants across retail, restaurants, education, transportation, and tourism. It earns primarily via per-transaction fees on cards and digital wallets.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersLima, Peru
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What CULQI does
CULQI is a Peruvian payment solutions company operating as the payment platform subsidiary of Banco de Crédito del Perú (BCP) within the Credicorp financial group. Founded in 2013 and first transacting in August 2015, the company was progressively acquired by Credicorp—majority stake in 2019 and 100% in 2022—with full official BCP integration completed in 2026. Headquartered in Lima's San Isidro business district, CULQI serves small and medium-sized businesses across Peru in verticals including commerce/retail, restaurants and cafés, education, transportation, and tourism. All named customer logos are SMBs or micro-merchants, and the company explicitly restricts distribution to Peruvian merchants with local bank accounts.
The platform consists of three core products: CulqiFull (a POS terminal accepting Visa, Mastercard, Diners, AMEX, Yape, Plin, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and BIM with same-day settlement for BCP-account merchants), CulqiOnline (an online payment gateway supporting one-time, subscription, and one-click payments via the CulqiDocs API), and CulqiLink (a payment-link product enabling social-commerce sales). Back-office tools CulqiPanel and CulqiApp handle transaction reporting, deposit tracking, and merchant management, while a Recargas y Pagos de Servicios add-on lets merchants earn commissions on mobile recharges and bill payments. Security and compliance include PCI DSS, PCI PIN (P2PE), ISO 22301, and NIST cybersecurity framework alignment, with biometric identity verification and an anti-fraud monitoring layer.
CULQI's revenue model is primarily transaction-fee based: 3.44% on national card transactions, 3.99% on international cards, and 3.44% + $0.20 for online transactions, with no monthly maintenance fees. Secondary revenue streams include one-time POS hardware sales (S/169–S/359 depending on bank relationship and RUC type) and commission sharing on recharges and utility-bill payments (up to 4.5% on mobile top-ups, S/0.05–S/0.80 per bill). Distribution is domestic-Peru only via a hybrid motion combining televentas (phone and WhatsApp outbound and inbound), assigned KAMs for mid-market accounts, and self-serve signup through culqi.com and affiliate.culqi.com.
CULQI firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CULQI
- Legal name
- Compañía Incubadora de Soluciones Móviles S.A.C.
- Website
- https://culqi.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- CULQI is the payment platform subsidiary of BCP/Credicorp in Peru, offering POS terminals (CulqiFull), an online gateway (CulqiOnline), and payment links (CulqiLink) to SMB merchants across retail, restaurants, education, transportation, and tourism. It earns primarily via per-transaction fees on cards and digital wallets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CULQI industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Payment Processing
- NAICS
- Financial Transactions Processing, Reserve, and Clearinghouse Activities (52232), Financial Transactions Processing, Reserve, and Clearinghouse Activities (522320)
- SIC
- Finance Services (6199)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Merchant Payment Gateways (API/Hosted Checkout) (FSAMACAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- EMV Chip, Magstripe & PIN Debit Acceptance (FSAMADAG), Integrated POS Payments (ISVs & Vertical POS Platforms) (FSAMADAD), Integrated Payment Processors (PSP/Acquirer) (FSAMABAA)
Keywords
Where CULQI is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lima
- HQ country
- Peru
- HQ region
- Latin America
Offices2 records
Markets served
CULQI business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Transaction Processing Fees: Percentage-based fees charged on each card or digital wallet transaction processed through POS or online gateway. Commission rates vary by card type (national vs international) and payment method. No monthly maintenance fees.
- POS Hardware Sales: One-time sale of POS hardware devices (CulqiFull P3 and P8 models) with pricing based on merchant RUC type and bank account status. Membership program offers discounted prices contingent on meeting monthly sales flow requirements.
- Recargas y Pagos (Top-ups and Service Payments): Commission earned on mobile phone recharges (up to 4.5% per operation) and bill payment services (fixed fees per transaction) processed through POS or CulqiApp. Merchants earn competitive margins on each service transaction.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | National Cards - 3.44% per transaction |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | International Cards - 3.99% per transaction |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Online Transactions - 3.44% + $0.20 per transaction |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time/ perpetual license | CulqiFull POS with BCP Account - S/169 (RUC 20) / S/249 (RUC 10) |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time/ perpetual license | CulqiFull POS with Other Banks - S/269 (RUC 20) / S/359 (RUC 10) |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Mobile Top-ups - Up to 4.5% commission |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Bill Payment Services - S/0.05 to S/0.80 per transaction |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
CULQI product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CULQI is a Peruvian payment platform that provides point-of-sale (POS) terminals, an online payment gateway, and express payment links to enable merchants to accept cards and digital wallet payments. The platform processes transactions for Visa, Mastercard, Diners, AMEX, Yape, Plin, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and BIM, with same-day settlement capabilities and management tools via web dashboard and mobile app.
Product overview
CULQI is a Peruvian payment platform owned by Banco de Crédito del Perú (BCP) operating under the Credicorp financial group. The offering consists of a unified platform with four core products: CulqiFull (POS terminal for in-person card and digital wallet payments), CulqiOnline (online payment gateway for websites and apps), CulqiLink (payment link solution for social media and messaging sales), supported by two management tools (CulqiPanel web dashboard and CulqiApp mobile app), plus a Recargas y Pagos de Servicios add-on for mobile recharges and bill payments. The platform is designed for Peruvian SMBs across retail, restaurant, education, transportation, and tourism sectors.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CulqiFull: POS device for in-person payments accepting all cards and digital wallets with same-day deposits.
- CulqiOnline
- CulqiLink
- CulqiPanel
- CulqiApp
Products and services
- CulqiFull Point-of-sale (POS) terminal for in-person payments accepting all major cards (Visa, Mastercard, Diners, AMEX) and digital wallets (Yape, Plin, Apple Pay, Google Pay, BIM). Designed for Peruvian SMB merchants with same-day settlement for BCP account holders.
- CulqiOnline Online payment gateway enabling businesses to accept payments on their website or application. Supports one-time payments, subscriptions, and one-click checkout via API integration (CulqiDocs). Targeted at merchants needing e-commerce and digital payment capabilities.
- CulqiLink Express payment link solution that allows businesses to create and share payment links via CulqiPanel or social media channels. Enables sales through digital channels without requiring a website. No maintenance fees or subscription charges.
- Recargas y Pagos de Servicios Service enabling POS and app users to offer mobile phone recharges (Entel, Bitel, Claro, Movistar, BIM, Yape) and bill payments (utilities, universities, insurance, cable/internet) to their customers. Merchants earn commissions up to 4.5% per mobile recharge and S/0.05-S/0.80 per bill payment.
Quantifiable outcome
- Same-day settlement enables merchants to receive sales proceeds the same day for transactions until 4 PM
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use CULQI
Customer profileNamed customers16 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
CULQI technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration11 records
AI capability5 records
Feature8 records
CULQI partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- BCP (Collection Account)coreBCP serves as the primary banking partner for merchant collection accounts. Merchants with BCP accounts receive same-day deposits, weekend deposits, and holiday settlement capabilities - features not available with other banks. This deep integration drives preference for BCP accounts among Culqi merchants.
- Visa, Mastercard, Diners, AMEXcoreCard network partnerships enabling acceptance of all major international and domestic card brands on Culqi POS terminals. Integration with these networks provides the foundation for transaction processing services.
- Yape, Plin, Apple Pay, Google Pay, BIMcoreDigital wallet partnerships enabling QR-based and contactless payments on Culqi POS. These integrations allow merchants to accept popular Peruvian digital payment methods alongside traditional card transactions.
- Claro, Entel, Bitel, MovistarminorMobile operator partnerships enabling airtime recharge services through Culqi POS. Merchants earn commission on each mobile top-up processed, creating additional revenue streams for small businesses.
- Sedapal, Enel, Cálidda, Luz del Sur, DirecTVminorUtility and service provider partnerships enabling bill payment services through Culqi POS. Merchants earn fixed commissions on each bill payment, with rates varying by provider.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
CULQI competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Niubiz (formerly Visanet Peru): Peru's largest card acquirer (formerly Visanet, owned by Credicorp/BCP peers). Offers POS and online payment processing for the same Peruvian SMB and enterprise segments that Culqi targets; the most direct domestic competitor.
- Izipay (IZettle/Pine Labs Peru): Peruvian payment processor and POS provider offering card acceptance, online gateway, and value-added services. Competes head-to-head with Culqi in the Peruvian SMB and retail verticals.
- Kushki: LATAM-focused payment gateway and orchestration platform serving merchants across Andean countries including Peru. Closest regional comparable to CulqiOnline in terms of developer-first API-based gateway offering.
Broad incumbents
- Mercado Pago: LATAM fintech incumbent with a strong Peru presence offering POS, online payments, QR, and credit. Provides both a competitive threat and a benchmark for omnichannel LATAM payment platforms.
- PayU: Global PSP with a LATAM hub offering online payment processing and POS in multiple Andean and Latin American countries. Competes with CulqiOnline in cross-border and enterprise merchant segments.
- Stripe: Global developer-first payment gateway expanding into LATAM. Directly comparable to CulqiOnline's API-based online payment offering for developers, marketplaces, and SaaS platforms.
- dLocal: LATAM-focused cross-border payments platform connecting global merchants to emerging market payment methods including Peru. Adjacent comparable for Peruvian payment rails and digital wallet aggregation.
- Block (Square): Global POS hardware and payments platform (Square) targeting SMBs with integrated hardware + software + payments. Sets the product/UX benchmark for CulqiFull's POS-centric merchant experience.
Emerging players
- Clip: Mexico-based SMB POS and payments provider with similar product breadth (POS hardware + gateway + management app). Strong comparable for Culqi's SMB-focused, omnichannel LATAM strategy.
Regional players
- Yappy (Banco General, Panama): Central American bank-owned digital wallet and QR payment platform with bank-led distribution model. Analogous in concept to Culqi's Yape acceptance and BCP-anchored distribution strategy.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CULQI social profiles
Digital presenceCULQI compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
CULQI financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CULQI leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
CULQI funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors6 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CULQI M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CULQI
What does CULQI do?
CULQI is a Peruvian payment platform that provides point-of-sale (POS) terminals, an online payment gateway, and express payment links to enable merchants to accept cards and digital wallet payments. The platform processes transactions for Visa, Mastercard, Diners, AMEX, Yape, Plin, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and BIM, with same-day settlement capabilities and management tools via web dashboard and mobile app.
Is CULQI a public or private company?
CULQI is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was CULQI founded?
CULQI was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is CULQI based?
CULQI is headquartered in Lima, Peru, in the Latin America region.
How does CULQI make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Transaction Processing Fees are the primary driver. The others are POS Hardware Sales and recargas y Pagos (Top-ups and Service Payments).
Who are CULQI's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Niubiz (formerly Visanet Peru), Izipay (IZettle/Pine Labs Peru) and Kushki. Broad incumbents are Mercado Pago, PayU, Stripe, dLocal and Block (Square). Clip is listed as an emerging player. Yappy (Banco General, Panama) is listed as a regional player.
Does CULQI have an API?
Yes. Culqi provides developer documentation (CulqiDocs) at docs.culqi.com for integrating their payment gateway. The API enables online payment processing, subscription management, and one-click payments through the CulqiOnline product. Developer documentation is at docs.culqi.com.
What industry is CULQI in?
CULQI's product category is Payment Processing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAMACAA, Merchant Payment Gateways (API/Hosted Checkout), with a secondary code of FSAMADAG, EMV Chip, Magstripe & PIN Debit Acceptance. Its NAICS code is 52232 and its SIC code is 6199.