Xiclo

What Xiclo does

Xiclo is a Colombian SaaS company founded in 2021 and headquartered in Bogotá that provides a plug-and-play software platform for managing and tracking reusable packaging systems. The platform uses NFC, RFID, and QR digital identity technologies to assign unique digital passports to each reusable item under GS1 global standards, enabling real-time inventory tracking, user management, environmental impact metrics, and compliance with EU ESPR and PPWR traceability regulations. Its technology supports both closed-loop deployments (corporate offices, universities) and open-loop ecosystems (restaurant groups, food delivery, mass events), with "tap-and-reuse" functionality that allows user adoption without app downloads.

The company sells to enterprise and institutional customers across multiple verticals: restaurant groups (Grupo Takami with 23 brands and 43 restaurants in Bogotá), universities (Universidad de Antioquia in Medellín), corporate offices (Juan Valdez at ANDI), and event organizers (Corona Sunsets festival in Santa Marta). Revenue is generated through a tiered model combining SaaS subscriptions, usage-based packaging rentals, bundled software-plus-hardware offerings, a standalone Digital Passport product for export compliance, event services with dedicated on-site management, and modular add-ons (premium support, custom integrations, white-label). Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with documented monthly billing for active inventory and event deployments structured as multi-year contracts.

Xiclo's go-to-market is sales-led and enterprise-focused, relying on Calendly-driven demo scheduling, WhatsApp direct contact, and case-study-driven demand generation. Notable partnerships include GS1 (standards integration), GIZ and Circular City Labs (university pilots under circular economy programs), and Innpulsa (Colombian innovation agency). As of the available data, Xiclo has 1–10 employees, operates exclusively in Colombia, and has not disclosed any external funding rounds, suggesting it is currently bootstrapped or founder-financed.

Name

Xiclo

Legal name

XICLO SAS

Website

https://xiclo.app

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Xiclo is a Colombian SaaS company providing a plug-and-play platform for managing reusable packaging systems. Using NFC/RFID/QR digital passport technology under GS1 standards, it serves restaurants, universities, corporate offices, and event organizers in Colombia through subscription, rental, and bundled pricing models.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bogotá

HQ country

Colombia

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Software Subscription (SaaS): Xiclo operates primarily as a SaaS platform where customers pay for software licensing to manage and track reusable packaging. The Software Plug-&-Play tier allows organizations to use their own packaging with the tracking system. Implementation, training, QR/RFID administration, and real-time data are included.
2. Packaging Rental (Renting): Xiclo offers reusable packaging inventory for rent, billed monthly according to active inventory (containers assigned to clients or specific locations). Includes packaging management, traceability, maintenance, and software updates. Modalities include purchase (custom branding, long-term savings) and rental (lower entry costs, usage-based billing).
3. Software + Packaging Bundle: Combined offering that bundles the SaaS platform with rented reusable packaging under a plug-and-play plus renting model. Provides complete returnability infrastructure including hardware, software, and operational support.
4. Digital Passport Service: Standalone digital passport product that provides full traceability of materials and data, EU ESPR and PPWR compliance, sustainability metrics, multi-language support, unlimited passport scans, and real-time updates. Targets export markets and regulatory compliance requirements.
5. Event Services: Specialized services for venues, fairs, festivals, conferences, and itinerant events including technology deployment, dedicated event managers, on-site installation support, real-time monitoring, incident management, and post-event analytics. Includes venue permanent integration and occasional event deployment options.
6. Add-on Services: Additional support services including premium technical support (priority assistance), user management (handling end-user inquiries), custom integrations (connecting SaaS with external systems like POS, RFID hardware), and white-label XicloPass (customizable with brand visual identity).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Xiclo provides a plug-and-play SaaS platform that enables organizations to manage and track reusable packaging assets through digital passports (NFC, RFID, QR) following GS1 global standards. The platform supports creation of returnability ecosystems with real-time inventory tracking, configurable incentive and penalty rules, environmental impact metrics, and integration with POS, payment, and logistics systems. Additionally, Xiclo rents and sells reusable containers and 24/7 return drop-off boxes, and provides event-specific reusable cup systems for festivals, conferences, and mass gatherings.

Product overview

Xiclo is a technology platform for reusable packaging systems consisting of a core software platform (Software Plug-&-Play) plus modular add-ons. The core platform enables organizations to manage and track reusable items through a reusable ecosystem with digital passports (Pasaporte Digital), user identification (XicloPass), and real-time inventory/impact metrics. Add-on modules include packaging rental (Renta de Empaques), event services (Eventos Ocasionales, Venue Permanente), premium support (Soporte Técnico Premium, Gestión de Usuarios), custom integrations (Integraciones Personalizadas), and white-label options (XicloPass con Marca Blanca). The system operates via QR, RFID, or NFC technologies and supports 'Return on the Go' and 'Return from Home' models.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• XicloPass: Digital passport system for tracking reusable assets using QR, RFID, or NFC technology with compliance for ESPR and PPWR regulations.
• Pasaporte Digital

Products and services

• Software Plug-&-Play (Sistema de Reuso) Core SaaS platform for managing and tracking reusable items. Enables organizations to create reuse ecosystems including locations, collaborators, and assets under GS1 global standards. Provides real-time data, metrics, environmental impact indicators, configurable rules (deposits, timelines, incentives), and modular integrations. Customers can use their own packaging with the tracking system.
• Pasaporte Digital (Digital Passport) Digital identification system that converts each reusable package into a smart asset with a unique digital passport using NFC, RFID, or QR technology. Identifies reusable assets following international GS1 standards and provides access to complete history, usage cycles, trajectories, and real-time environmental impact data for each reusable container.
• XicloPass - Product Digital Passport Service Standalone product digital passport service providing complete traceability of materials and data, EU ESPR and PPWR regulatory compliance, sustainability and impact metrics, GS1 Digital Link compatibility, export documentation support, multi-language passports, unlimited scans, and real-time updates. Designed for manufacturers, brands, and exporters targeting EU and other regulated markets.
• Empaques y Buzones (Reusable Packaging and Return Drop-off Boxes) Reusable packaging inventory and 24/7 return drop-off boxes (buzones) available for purchase or rent. Includes traceable containers (food service, retail, logistics, home & health categories), return points, and secure automated collection, charging, and reimbursement processes. Rental is billed monthly based on active inventory.
• Eventos Ocasionales y Venue Permanente (Event and Venue Services) Specialized reusable packaging service for venues, fairs, conferences, and itinerant events. Includes dedicated event manager, Tap-and-reuse technology, packaging rental, on-site installation support, real-time monitoring, incident management, and post-event analytics report. Venue permanent integration with POS system connectivity is also available.

Quantifiable outcome

• Return rates of 95%+ across implementations, with specific results: Grupo Takami 99% (21,350+ loans), Universidad de Antioquia 99%+ (900+ loans), Juan Valdez 97% (8,200+ loans), Corona Sunsets 67% (7,200+ loans)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Universidad de AntioquiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Universidad de Antioquia deployed Xiclo's SaaS platform in campus cafeterias as part of a pilot program. This partnership marked the first SaaS deployment enabling the university to operate returnability models autonomously. The pilot validated reuse in high-rotation university environments with 99%+ return rates across 900+ loans.
• Corona (Cervecería Corona)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2023Cervecería Corona partnered with Xiclo for the Corona Sunsets festival, deploying the first comprehensive reusable cup system for mass events in Colombia. 5,400 metallic cups across 9 bars and 8 restaurants achieved 67% return rate in the first pilot.
• Juan ValdezcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2023Juan Valdez partnered with Xiclo to deploy reusable cup systems in corporate environments. The 2023 pilot at ANDI institutional coffee bar demonstrated 97% return rates and NPS of 9.13, validating returnability in closed corporate ecosystems.
• Grupo TakamicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Grupo Takami (23 brands, 43 restaurants) partnered with Xiclo since 2022 to implement a shared returnability ecosystem for food delivery. The partnership achieved 99% return rates across 21,350+ loans, with system integration into Takami's digital ordering platform eliminating customer app friction.
• Circular City LabscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCircular City Labs partnered with Xiclo for the Universidad de Antioquia deployment as part of circular economy initiatives. The partnership focuses on implementing and validating returnability solutions in urban and institutional contexts.
• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIZ, the German development agency, partnered with Xiclo and Circular City Labs for the Universidad de Antioquia pilot under circular economy programs. GIZ provides institutional support and international development framework for sustainability initiatives.
• InnpulsaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnpulsa, a Colombian entrepreneurship and innovation agency, partnered with Xiclo for the Universidad de Antioquia implementation as part of innovation and startup ecosystem support.
• ANDI (Asociación Nacional de Empresarios de Colombia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerANDI hosted the Juan Valdez coffee bar pilot demonstrating corporate sustainability initiatives. The institutional partnership validated reuse models in high-consumption corporate food service environments.
• GS1coreTechnology or IntegrationXiclo integrates with GS1 global standards for item identification and Digital Link technology. This partnership ensures Xiclo's digital passports comply with international traceability standards and support export market documentation requirements.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Algramo: Chile-based reusable packaging platform offering smart, traceable container systems for FMCG brands and food service, with deposit-based return infrastructure. Closest comparable in Latin America by geography, product (connected reusable packaging), and target customer (food service, retail brands).
• Muuse: Singapore-headquartered SaaS platform for reusable cup and container programs at events, cafés, and corporate campuses. Direct competitor offering a tap-to-borrow/return model with digital tracking and analytics—essentially the same value proposition as Xiclo's XicloPass and event services module.
• Returnity: US provider of reusable shipping and packaging solutions using trackable, returnable assets for e-commerce and parcel logistics. Comparable asset-tracking and rental-based reusable model, though focused on shipping containers rather than food service.
• Vytal: Germany-headquartered digital reuse platform offering trackable reusable containers for restaurants, delivery, and corporate food service across Europe. Direct comparable for digital tracking of reusable assets, restaurant/delivery focus, and EU regulatory positioning (PPWR/DPP).
• Globelet: New Zealand/Australia-based reusable cup operator with RFID-tracked cups and washing logistics for events, festivals, and venues. Closely mirrors Xiclo's event-driven GTM motion and RFID tracking technology, including comparable mass-event return-rate challenges.
• r.World | Reusable: US-based reusable cup and container service targeting stadiums, venues, universities, and corporate campuses with washing logistics and tracking. Comparable closed-loop venue and event vertical with similar deposit-based return infrastructure to Xiclo's Venue Permanente and Eventos Ocasionales modules.
• Repurpose (repurpose.io): US-based reusable takeout container platform for restaurants and corporate cafeterias with deposit return infrastructure. Directly comparable to Xiclo's restaurant and corporate cafeteria segments, particularly the closed-loop reusable cup/container model.
• CupClub: UK-based reusable cup-as-a-service platform providing tracked, branded reusable cups to coffee chains and corporate offices with return logistics. Highly comparable technology stack (tracked reusable assets) and customer segments (coffee chains, corporate offices) to Xiclo's Juan Valdez and ANDI deployments.

Emerging players

• Bower (formerly Bump): European app-based deposit return solution for consumer packaging with retailer integration. Adjacent model that focuses on retail consumer packaging reuse rather than food service verticals, sharing the digital traceability and deposit economics approach.

Others

• GS1 Colombia: Colombian national standards body for barcoding and product identification, a partner and ecosystem enabler rather than competitor. Relevant because GS1 integration is a key Xiclo differentiator; tracking GS1's adoption of digital product passport standards signals demand for Xiclo's compliance product.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/xiclo
• Instagraminstagram.com/xicloapp

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Xiclo