Appjusto

Appjusto operated as a social-impact technology company in Brazil's food delivery sector, positioning itself as an equitable alternative to the market's dominant platforms. Founded in 2020 by Pedro Saulo Andrade Brito and Rogério Nogueira, the São Paulo-based startup emerged in response to the challenging conditions faced by restaurants and delivery workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The founders, both serial tech entrepreneurs, aimed to address the perceived injustices of the gig economy, where workers often have limited autonomy and earning potential.

The company's business model was designed to offer greater transparency and fairer terms for all participants. For restaurants, Appjusto charged a significantly lower commission rate compared to the industry standard of up to 30%, initially setting it at 5% and later adjusting to a monthly fee of R$69.90 (waived for those with under 30 monthly orders) plus an 8.5% fee per delivery. This structure was intended to allow restaurants to offer better prices to consumers and increase their own profitability. A key feature was providing restaurants with access to their customer data, which is often withheld by other platforms.

For delivery couriers, Appjusto introduced a system that empowered them with genuine autonomy. Couriers could set their own delivery fees, review all order details before acceptance, and decline requests without algorithmic penalties—a direct counterpoint to the opaque management systems of larger competitors. The platform facilitated direct payment of the delivery fee to the courier, with Appjusto taking no cut from their earnings. The platform's source code was made open, a move intended to ensure transparency and allow the community to hold the company accountable to its mission.

Appjusto's journey included a notable achievement in June 2022, when it raised over R$1.8 million through an equity crowdfunding campaign that attracted a record-breaking 939 investors in Brazil, including couriers themselves. Despite this community support and realizing over 70,000 deliveries that generated higher earnings for couriers and savings for restaurants, the company faced significant challenges. Citing unsuccessful growth and fundraising strategies, Appjusto announced the suspension of its operations in September 2024.

Keywords: food delivery, socialtech, gig economy, platform cooperative, fair trade, open source, delivery autonomy, restaurant commission, courier earnings, social impact business, equity crowdfunding, Brazilian startup, food delivery app, marketplace, logistics platform, last-mile delivery, worker empowerment, digital platform, transparent pricing, business suspension