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Online shopping: APIs ensure security and ease in e-commerce payments

From real-time bank reconciliations to automated reports, APIs are great allies for businesses of various sizes. These technological tools bridge different systems and software, enabling automation and efficient data exchange between them, which provides greater financial visibility, quality, and efficiency to internal operations.

In retail, consumers use multiple payment methods, from cards to bank transfers, and it is precisely payment gateway APIs that simplify this reconciliation and allow a store to offer such variety at checkout. With their help, the finance department can automatically monitor the status of payments and identify any discrepancies between sales made and amounts received.

“For retail companies, the main advantages include operational efficiency, time savings, data centralization and agile decision-making. But one of the biggest attractions of APIs is the ability to automate repetitive and time-consuming processes, such as bank reconciliation. By connecting stores’ financial systems to banks’ platforms, they allow transactions — such as transfers, supplier payments and balance monitoring — to occur and be recorded automatically,” says Ticiana Amorim, CEO and founder of Aarin, the first tech-fin hub specialized in Pix and Embedded Finance in Brazil.

This not only streamlines financial control but also reduces the risk of fraud, allowing for a more rigorous analysis of payment data. For companies, this security is essential in a scenario where the volume of transactions grows every day.

Ticiana also states that companies using digital accounting systems can use APIs to automatically integrate accounting entries, organize revenues and expenses, and reduce the time spent on manual records. "It's like having a live cash register control panel. The ability to constantly update and check the balance is a key feature that helps identify where adjustments are needed," highlights Ticana.

The acronym API comes fromApplication Programming Interfaces(or application programming interfaces, in Portuguese), and Brazil is the fourth country that creates the most APIs in the world. In 2023 alone, there were 5.45 million programs of this type in Brazilian territory, according to the report.State of the API 2023, carried out by Postman. "With the growth of API development, the future of retail is becoming increasingly connected, efficient, and dynamic," concludes Ticiana.

Inclusive chatbot: how to adapt your service to all customers

With the growth of e-commerce in recent years, the use of chatbots has become necessary to facilitate customer service at all stages of the purchase. But, considering that 18.6 million people in Brazil have some disability, according to IBGE, it is essential to implement good practices to foster inclusion in this interaction.

Just like in physical spaces, online service must offer accessibility features. Understanding the target audience of an e-commerce is necessary to tailor the chatbot to customers' needs, paying attention to all forms of diversity so that information is widely accessible. Therefore, to have a more inclusive chatbot, audiences with different ages, genders, ethnicities, physical or mental disabilities, sexual orientations, and religions should be considered.

“The first step is to analyze the company itself and its consumers; then, make the necessary changes to ensure inclusive contact. Providing training to employees so that they are prepared and attentive to any type of help, as well as maintaining personalized communication, are some examples”, explains Leidiane Jardim, Customer Director atNeoAssist.

To begin, a simplified and intuitive interface ensures smoother and more straightforward navigation; projects with appropriate use of colors and contrasts facilitate reading for people with low vision or color blindness, for example, as well as customization of font and text size. Integrating audio description tools and audio transcription are also crucial for a truly inclusive relationship.

Still, training the chatbot's AI with a wide variety of cultural data from different social and linguistic contexts can ensure more appropriate responses.

“Another important factor is customer feedback. Encouraging them is necessary to identify what other changes need to be made. Based on this feedback, companies understand how to maintain the best relationship between consumers and the customer service team,” adds Leidiane.

Which marketplace is best for your business? Ecommerce Specialist in Practice explains

Whoever decides to start an online business has certainly wondered which marketplace is best to start selling on. Although they have similar business models, each of these sales channels requires specific strategies to attract buyers and promote products. The good news is that everyone offers a favorable infrastructure for sellers, making business growth easier.

Fabio Ludke, e-commerce consultant and professor at the largest e-commerce school in the world,Ecommerce in PracticeExplain the advantages and particularities of the main online sales platforms in Brazil: Mercado Livre, Shopee, and Amazon.

According to the specialist, the biggest challenge for those selling on these marketplaces is gaining visibility. However, each platform offers different strategies to overcome this obstacle.

Free Market

One of the biggest advantages of Mercado Livre is its complete ecosystem, which includes logistics (Mercado Envios), payment (Mercado Pago), and ad optimization (Mercado Livre Ads). Furthermore, the "Decola Mercado Livre" program offers benefits for new sellers to gain visibility and achieve professional seller status.

For those starting on the platform, Ludke emphasizes that it is common for entrepreneurs to have difficulty reaching the first ten sales, which are essential to activate the sales thermometer. He recommends that sellers focus on high-demand products in the marketplace, using multiple ad techniques to create different offers with varied titles, descriptions, and photos. The goal is to test and understand what works best.

“Being on Mercado Livre positions the retailer strategically to reach new customers and generate an additional source of revenue for e-commerce. It is important to then work on after-sales to bring the customer from the marketplace to your own ecosystem. One tip is to send a flyer with a QR Code along with the product, inviting the customer to visit your store,” he says.

Shopee

With an approach focused on lower average ticket products, Shopee stands out for its marketing tools and free shipping program, which attract a price-sensitive audience.

“It offers features such as live broadcasts, sending messages to customers and creating specific audiences. These factors can significantly boost sales, but many salespeople still don’t take advantage of these tools. Learning how to use them can help you stand out,” he explains.

Amazon

Amazon is one of the fastest-growing marketplaces in Brazil and holds a privileged position in international trade, with opportunities even for retailers to sell Brazilian products to the United States. The specialist states that the ideal for those who want to harness Amazon's power is to understand the demand on the platform to know which products are more likely to perform better, by searching for the 'best-selling' items on the site.

Another important point to consider when selling on Amazon is the use of FBA and DBA, which are the marketplace's logistics systems to expedite delivery. This not only allows for faster delivery to customers but also generates greater visibility for the ads.

Multichannel Strategy to Maximize Sales

According to Ludke, the ideal is to invest in both your own online store and marketplaces, using complementary strategies with the aim of multiplying revenue.

“The sales potential that marketplaces provide is fundamental in the digital age. Your customers may not yet know your brand, but they are certainly already looking for products like yours on Amazon, Mercado Livre or Shopee,” highlights the expert.

Despite this, he explains that successful e-commerce diversifies its sales channels, reducing risks through multichannel operations and, therefore, growing safely.

Images that sell: how AI can boost product photography this holiday season

The holiday shopping season is a crucial time for e-commerce retailers, especially in Brazil, where e-commerce continues its upward trajectory with significant growth. With a revenue of R$ 235 billion in the first three quarters of 2024, a 13.8% increase compared to the previous year, retailers face intense competition to attract and convert consumers during the period between Black Friday and Christmas, according to Neotrust Confi data.

Product photography, therefore, plays a significant role in creating an engaging and attractive shopping experience for the consumer, especially in an omnichannel environment where images must adapt to different platforms such as e-commerce websites, social media, and advertising banners.

Studies indicate that90% of consumers consider product photos extremely importantor very important for your online purchase decision. Furthermore,60% of digital shoppers prefer to see three or four images before purchasing a product

Therefore, during the holiday season, adapting images to fit these platforms can be a challenge in terms of time and resources. AI photo editors, like Photoroom, can assist with this process, making it easier to create, edit, and adapt high-quality images for use across various online platforms and in-store.  

"AI-based editing tools not only automate routine tasks such as background removal and adding seasonal elements but also allow for quick customization and optimization of images for different settings," explains Matthieu Rouif, co-founder and CEO of Photoroom. "When you create a scenario in which consumers can imagine themselves, it not only improves the visual experience but also significantly increases sales potential."

6 Ways to Use AI Photo Editors to Boost Holiday Sales 

AI photo editors provide retailers with incredible speed and flexibility, allowing them to quickly create and refine product images with fewer resources. From basic edits like cropping and resizing to advanced features like background removal and image generation, these tools simplify the photo editing process.  

For e-commerce merchants looking to boost their holiday marketing, here are six ways AI photo editors can help make a big impact.

  1. Repurpose existing product photos by removing their backgrounds

Reusing your existing product photos is a smart strategy that saves time for retailers with limited time and resources available, especially during the busy end-of-year period.  

By removing the backgrounds from your current product images, you can easily update and reuse them for all your year-end campaigns and for use across your various sales platforms.  

Clean, background-free product photos allow you to place your items in any environment, whether for an online store, social media, e-commerce marketplaces, or even digital displays in the store. This makes it easier to create festive and seasonal visuals without the hassle of scheduling new photoshoots.

THEBackground removerPhotoroom is a great tool to handle this process quickly and efficiently. It automatically detects the subject of your image and removes the background in seconds, allowing you to replace it with a new one or export it with a transparent background. With the bulk editing feature, you can also edit entire sets of product photos at once.

  1. Add seasonal and themed backgrounds to your product photos

Taking your usual product photos and giving them a festive look is an easy way to capture the holiday spirit, connect with buyers, and create unique image variations for seasonal campaign use.  

Adding holiday funds is one way to do this, and it is especially useful for e-commerce retailers looking to update their marketing without reshooting new product photos. You can take existing images and apply festive backgrounds that align with the campaigns or specific themes you would like to promote.  

  1. Generate new holiday-themed visuals for your marketing campaign

New and engaging images are important during the holiday shopping season — both to stand out from the competition and to align with the season and existing campaigns. The backgrounds help with that, as well as adding entirely new elements to the image that give it a festive look.  

With AI-generated images, you can infinitely adapt your existing product photos by adding backgrounds or entirely new objects. Most importantly, you can do this in seconds using your existing image files instead of having to re-shoot your products and take new photos.  

For example, you can ask for theAI image generatorPhotoroom place your product image under a Christmas tree next to other presents, or put it in a setting that aligns with how it will be used in real life.

  1. Quickly adapt your photos to different online platforms

E-commerce takes place on various online platforms, each with its own image file specifications. Historically, creating product photos for each of these platforms would be tedious and manual, requiring you to resize and save images individually in various formats.  

AI-powered photo editors significantly accelerate this process, allowing you to export images in a variety of predefined formats that align with major online platforms.  

  1. Retouch and repair product photos without having to retake the photos

When preparing for the year-end sales season, the last thing you want to do is waste time on simple and repetitive photo edits and adjustments. There is probably not enough time for reshoots, but you still need to be able to update the images as needed.  

This is where AI in photo editing can be useful, allowing retailers to retouch and adjust their images without having to return to the studio. Whether removing unwanted objects, fixing stains, or adding realistic shadows, these tools help improve the overall quality of your photos quickly, keeping your holiday campaigns running smoothly.

For example, if a product photo includes distracting background elements or unwanted objects, an eraser tool, such as theMagic Eraser, you can remove them in seconds. This is perfect for e-commerce retailers who need to create clean and professional images without investing in reshoots.

  1. Add stickers and graphics to increase engagement

Stickers and graphic overlays are a proven sales technique that helps draw attention to holiday promotions and special offers.  

AI photo editors allow you to quickly add stickers and graphics to your photos without wasting time on large-scale bulk editing. The Photoroom sticker library, for example, is stacked with hundreds of pre-made graphics, such as "30% off" tags and other festive icons.

Top Benefits of Using AI Photo Editors to Prepare for Holiday Sales 

With the arrival of the holiday season, retailers face the challenge of capturing consumers' attention in a highly competitive market. To maximize sales during this strategic period, ensuring that product photos are captivating, adaptable to various platforms, and detailed enough to convert visitors into buyers is essential.

AI photo editors not only simplify the editing process but also open up new creative possibilities that help you showcase your products in the best light possible and stand out in a crowded online market. Tasks that previously required hours of meticulous work—such as removing backgrounds or making complex adjustments—can now be done in seconds, allowing you to experiment and innovate without getting bogged down in manual edits.  

Among the main benefits of AI photo editing tools, the following stand out:

  • Time saving:AI tools, such as Photoroom, allow for quick editing of large volumes of images, freeing up time to focus on other strategic areas of the business.
  • Cost efficiencyWith AI, you can get professional-quality edits without the expense of hiring external designers or photographers.
  • Enhanced creativityAutomating routine tasks allows you to experiment with creative elements, from custom backgrounds to unique image effects, enabling more engaging Christmas and festive visuals.
  • Superior quality:Resources such as background removal, object erasing, and shadow creation ensure flawless images, ready for conversion.
  • ScalabilityAI tools empower small teams to handle large workloads, making it easier to manage high-volume product listings or campaigns during peak season.

"In the end, AI photo editors not only improve the quality of your product photos but also allow you to focus on driving strategic growth, increasing conversions, and providing a seamless customer experience during the holiday season," concludes Matthieu.  

The Photoroom photo editor helps to ease some of the immense end-of-year pressure by allowing retailers to update, enhance, and reuse existing product photos across all their online sales and marketing platforms — all in a matter of seconds on an online or desktop app.  

With the right resources, entrepreneurs can transform their product presentation, creating engaging visuals that not only meet the expectations of modern consumers but also stand out in a competitive market. Investing in product photography and editing with AI is therefore a necessary step to stand out in the most profitable season of the year and build a solid relationship with customers beyond the holidays.

The 7 Most Powerful Data Analytics Tools for 2025

Companies worldwide are increasingly recognizing the strategic importance of data analysis to stay competitive. According to New Vantage Partners, 97.2% of global organizations are already investing in artificial intelligence and Big Data, solidifying these technologies as essential allies for more accurate and faster decisions. This trend is especially relevant, as the size of the global big data market is expected to grow to $103 billion by 2027, more than double the expected market size in 2018.

The transformation generated by these tools goes beyond mere operational efficiency. Sectors such as retail, healthcare, fintech, and manufacturing use advanced analytics to better understand customers, predict market behaviors, and automate complex processes, generating more accurate insights. "These solutions contribute to processing large volumes of information, as well as producing actionable insights for innovation and competitiveness," highlights Mathias Brem, co-founder and CDO ofRox Partner, a leading consultancy in data and cybersecurity.

With the projected evolution for 2025, the demand for analysis tools capable of handling real-time data in a scalable manner is only expected to grow. Check out the solutions that the expert indicates as highlights for next year:

1.Google BigQuery 

With a serverless architecture, Google BigQuery is a solution focused on analyzing large volumes of data in real time, ideal for companies seeking to reduce operational costs and increase agility in strategic decision-making. " sectors such as retail, healthcare, and fintech benefit from fast and accurate information processing, while the much-anticipated integration with AI and machine learning is expected to make it even more relevant and impactful in 2025," notes the expert.

  1. Microsoft Factory

It is a SaaS data analysis platform that integrates tools such as Power BI, Synapse, and Data Factory in a unified environment, simplifying data use and management for medium-sized companies with leaner infrastructure. Your cloud-based model enables advanced analytics, real-time monitoring, and data science, all with less need for complex configuration, making it a strategic solution for businesses seeking efficiency and integration within the Microsoft ecosystem but lacking a technology team to manage a data ecosystem.

  1. OpenSearch

OpenSearch has established itself as a powerful open-source solution for real-time data search and analysis, with applications ranging from system monitoring to anomaly detection and operational analysis. Evolving from the old Elasticsearch, OpenSearch gained strength by offering an open and scalable alternative for indexing and visualizing large volumes of data. Widely used in sectors such as technology, security, and e-commerce, it enables proactive monitoring of critical operations and quick identification of out-of-pattern events. By 2025, trends point to greater integration with cloud ecosystems and advanced use of machine learning, transforming OpenSearch into a strategic choice for organizations that need real-time insights and customization flexibility, highlights Mathias Brem Garcia.

  1. Google Vertex AI Platform

It is a robust ecosystem of machine learning and artificial intelligence tools designed to simplify the development, training, deployment, and monitoring of models. Combining the power of Google's AI tools into a unified interface, it offers a range of features designed to cater to both beginners and AI experts. Especially suitable for medium and large companies seeking greater freedom and scalability of solutions and integration with models from all major market providers.

  1. Apache Spark

Apache Spark is a distributed processing platform that combines high speed and efficiency, being an essential component for real-time analytics and machine learning. With applications focused on e-commerce, telecommunications, and the energy sector, Spark expects to advance into new areas and technologies starting from the development of IoT and edge computing next year. Databricks is the leading company in the use of the tool but not the only one, and this is one of the main advantages of using it, as it is available through the main cloud platforms such as Google, Amazon, Oracle, and Microsoft, being interoperable and free.

  1. Amazon QuickSight

It has become a popular alternative to Power BI, especially among users already integrated into the AWS ecosystem. This is mainly due to its strong integration with services like Amazon SageMaker and Athena, which facilitate advanced analytics, machine learning (ML), and large-scale data manipulation. Amazon is behind in the artificial intelligence race (LLMs) but still has the largest share of public cloud users in Brazil, and this will undoubtedly be a prominent technology in 2025.

  1. Google Looker 

Looker, part of the solutions family acquired by Google, integrates Looker Studio (free), Looker Studio Pro (Google Workspace), and Looker Platform, catering to everything from basic needs to advanced enterprise demands. This family unifies analyses with the Google ecosystem, including BigQuery and Workspace, in addition to incorporating Gemini for assisted analyses. The Looker Platform allows for building custom analytical applications, ideal for companies aiming to productize data, while Looker Studio is accessible and highly collaborative, making it strategic for Google Cloud users.

The Acelera Marca Program, an initiative by startup B4You, moves R$200 million and seeks to transform digital retail

The Acelera Marca program, developed by the startupB4Youand led byMatheus Mota,Achieved remarkable results in 2024, establishing itself as one of the leading movements in the Brazilian digital market. The initiative trained over 120,000 entrepreneurs and boosted the creation of 100 brands, of which 40 are already active and together generate more than R$50 million. The accumulated market value of these companies exceeds R$300 million, highlighting the impact of the program on the transformation of digital retail.

The initiative advances the development of Digitally Native Vertical Brands (DNVBs), bringing success stories with brands such asSofa in a Box, specialized in functional furniture;Big Boom Nutrition, focused on dietary supplements; and Dreams Coffee, which brings an innovative approach to the specialty coffee market.

“Our mission is to transform ideas into scalable and impactful businesses, connecting innovation, branding and digital reach. We are creating a movement that goes beyond training: we are shaping the future of digital retail in Brazil”, says Matheus Mota, CEO of B4You.

The performance of the project's ecosystem is also impressive:300 thousand sales made in 2024 and more than 200 million views in digital campaigns, leveraged by more than 50 thousand videos produced by content creators.The program relies on the Viral Brand method, developed by Mota, which uses small digital influencers to boost sales and engagement organically. Success stories like Creatina Rosa, aimed at the female fitness audience, and Sofá na Caixa, a reference in functional design, illustrate the potential of this approach.

In addition to the numbers, the program offers national and international immersions. In 2024, entrepreneurs participated in the VALLEY Immersion in Silicon Valley, while meetings in São Paulo, Praia do Forte, São Paulo, and Gramado strengthened the connection among participants and provided practical insights for digital businesses. For 2025, new trips to Silicon Valley are already scheduled for January, and to China in February, with the aim of exploring the world's main innovation and manufacturing hubs.

“We look to the future with bold goals: to launch 300 new brands and consolidate the program as a reference in the Creator Economy. Our focus is to impact Brazilian digital retail and create businesses that really make a difference in the market,” reinforces Mota.

E-Book “Hyperpersonalization in E-commerce”

In the dynamic universe of e-commerce, hyper-personalization emerges as a powerful strategy to meet the growing expectations of modern consumers. This e-book explores in detail how advanced personalization can transform the online shopping experience, offering valuable insights into the implementation of innovative techniques and tools. Through the analysis of behavioral data and individual preferences, companies can create more meaningful and effective interactions, resulting in greater engagement and customer loyalty. Get ready to discover how hyper-personalization is shaping the future of e-commerce and learn how to apply these practices to gain competitive advantages in the digital market.

6 benefits of coworking for corporate culture

According to the Indeed Workforce Insights report, 40% of employed or job-seeking professionals prefer the hybrid work model. In this context, as companies recognize the growing adoption of this practice, coworking spaces stand out as strategic solutions.

According to Daniel Moral, CEO and co-founder ofEureka Coworking, one of the main global networks in the sector, these structures are more than "shared offices," offering various advantages for companies. "We are talking about true incubators of innovation and collaboration, which stimulate creativity and the exchange of ideas," he says.

To help companies understand how these spaces can positively impact corporate culture and business development strategies, the executive listed the six main benefits of adopting the format. Check it out

  • Cost reduction and resource optimization

Using a shared corporate environment can be more economical than renting a traditional office. Professionals working in coworking spaces save an average of about 22% on operational costs, according to a study by Deskmag. Resources such as meeting rooms and necessary equipment for daily activities help reduce the company's operational costs, in addition to contributing to minimizing environmental impact.

As an example of this advantage, Moral cites a client of Eureka Coworking itself: “When a large construction company approached us, they were looking to accommodate a larger team. However, when we understood their needs in more depth, we identified an even more efficient solution: opting for a smaller space and adopting a flexible work model. With this, the company not only reduced costs, but also brought more efficiency to its day-to-day operations”, he highlights.

  • Flexibility and adaptability

Coworkings also offer various usability options, especially regarding space and hours. In this way, companies from various sectors can quickly adapt to changes related to team needs and projects.

“Agility is essential in a dynamic and competitive market, so organizations need offices that do not hinder their processes,” the specialist points out.

  • Promoting employee well-being

Another concern of coworking spaces is the offer of areas that go beyond meeting rooms and computers. Relaxation environments, green areas, and wellness programs are very common initiatives in this business, which aims to promote a balance between professional and personal life.

Regarding this aspect, Moral highlights: “It is a segment that aims to contribute to the market, but this only happens when a healthy and satisfactory work routine is encouraged.”

  • Stimulating creativity and innovation

A report from JLL consultancy shows that Brazilian companies adopt the hybrid work model more than the rest of the world. According to the survey, 86% of companies in the country use the format, compared to 54% in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa; 44% in Asia-Pacific; and 41% in North America.

For the executive, the data highlights that we live in an extremely connected and digital world, which is why coworkings can be an alternative for professionals to step out of possible "comfort zones." "It is a place that brings together people from different fields, who share experiences and knowledge. This diverse environment stimulates creativity, allowing organizations to develop original solutions to market challenges," he/she states.

  • Networking and professional development

The growing appreciation of coworking spaces is linked to one of their main pillars: the creation of community and connections among professionals. Much of this is due to unique career growth opportunities created in these places, such as events, workshops, and lectures.

“Professionals can take different paths to expand their network of contacts and acquire new skills. It is no surprise that we see many partnerships and projects that benefit all parties involved emerging in these environments,” explains the CEO.

  • Improving organizational culture

Coworkings are usually structured based on values and principles of collaboration, innovation, and diversity. Moral emphasizes that these characteristics can positively influence the organizational culture of companies

“The integration formed in this space is based on real purposes, therefore, it is a unique opportunity to strengthen the brand’s identity”, he concludes.

Despegar.com signs merger agreement to be acquired by Prosus for $19.50 per share in cash

Despegar, the parent company of Decolar in Brazil – a travel technology company – announced today that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by Prosus, a leading global technology company, for US$19.50 per share in an all-cash transaction, representing an enterprise value of approximately US$1.7 billion for Despegar.

The transaction price represents a premium of approximately 34% over the volume weighted average price of Despegar's shares for the 90 trading days ending December 20, 2024.

The Despegar Board of Directors approved the Agreement and decided to recommend that Despegar shareholders vote in favor of adopting the Agreement and approving the merger contemplated therein. This approval follows the unanimous recommendation of a transactions committee of the Board of Directors composed exclusively of independent directors, which was formed in connection with the transaction (the "Transactions Committee").

Prosus has a proven track record of creating leading technology companies worldwide. Despegar will benefit from the significant resources, operational expertise, and advanced AI capabilities provided by Prosus.

The transaction highlights Despegar's position as an important market participant, emphasizing its successful commercial execution, consistent leading innovation, and ongoing focus on margin expansion. For over twenty years, Despegar has been a transformative force in the Latin American tourism industry. As part of the Prosus Group, Despegar is ready to accelerate its growth strategy. This strategic change not only increases Despegar's presence in the market but also strengthens its ability to innovate and compete.

Damian Scokin, CEO of Despegar,said: "We are excited about joining the Prosus Group, as this represents a significant step in our mission to expand our market leadership and grow our services in Latin America. This transaction will allow us to leverage Prosus's extensive network of companies and strong balance sheet, accelerating our growth and innovation strategies. The transaction represents a substantial value for Despegar's shareholders and is a testament to the commitment and hard work of our team, as well as an exciting milestone for Despegar. Our customers will benefit from access to more services, enhanced experiences, greater loyalty benefits, and more comprehensive solutions tailored to their needs. Together, we are laying the groundwork for a new era of travel marked by greater connectivity, innovation, and value."

Fabricio Bloisi, CEO of Prosus Group, said: “Despegar adds significantly to our strong ecosystem in Latin America, a market with incredible growth potential. Today’s announcement is about opportunity and growth – on its own, Despegar is a successful company with great fundamentals and a motivated management team; together, both Despegar and Prosus will make it even stronger. Our ambition is to ensure that Despegar benefits from our wider ecosystem so that we can work together to offer the best OTA travel solution in Latin America.”

Transaction Details

According to the terms of the Agreement, a wholly owned subsidiary of Prosus will merge with Despegar, with Despegar continuing as the surviving entity, and each outstanding share will be converted into the right to receive $19.50 in cash per share.The Despegar Series A Preferred Shares in circulation will be canceled and converted into the right to receive payment of the amount owed in accordance with their terms.

The transaction is currently expected to close in the second quarter of 2025, subject to approval by Despegar shareholders, receipt of necessary regulatory clearances and other customary closing conditions.

Certain shareholders of the Company, including the holder of Despegar's Series A Preferred Shares, have entered into voting and support agreements with Prosus, committing to vote in favor of the transaction.

The transaction is not subject to a financing condition. After the transaction is completed, Despegar will become a privately held company, its common shares will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange, and it will no longer be listed on any public market.

A Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is acting as the exclusive financial advisor to the Transaction Committee; A&O Shearman is acting as legal counsel to Despegar.

A Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Prosus in the transaction, and Davis Polk & Wardell LLP served as legal counsel.

7 innovation trends for 2025 that promise to transform the future

The global technological landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace, bringing extraordinary opportunities and complex challenges for 2025. To avoid being left behind, many organizations around the world are keeping an eye on the importance of intelligent insights, diverse testing, and the ability to adapt quickly.

To help managers in this process, CESAR, the most complete innovation and knowledge center in Brazil, highlights seven key trends that will shape the corporate ecosystem and the digital environment and, as a consequence, our future.

Check it out.

#1 Agentic AI: The Rise of the Autonomous Digital Worker

The next evolution of AI is fundamentally different from what we've seen before. The trend of Agentic AI represents a significant leap beyond traditional chatbots and automated systems, bringing autonomous decision-making capabilities that promise to reshape how organizations operate.

While conventional AI tools follow predetermined scripts, Agentic AI systems can learn, reason, and act independently of defined parameters. By 2028, Gartner predicts that 15% of daily work decisions will be made autonomously by these systems.

Tasks that previously required days of manual processing can now be completed in seconds, from complex client account management to business operations. As this technology matures, we are seeing the emergence of new roles such as AI trainers and workflow orchestrators.

Furthermore, the workplace of the future will likely be a hybrid environment where humans evolve from task executors to strategic orchestrators, managing teams of specialized AI agents. The CESAR Generative AI Laboratory (GenIAL) itself exemplifies this evolution. Established in 2023, GenIAL focuses on designing AI-driven business models, aiming to build a robust model training infrastructure and offer targeted educational programs.

#2 Ambient Intelligence: The Invisible Technological Revolution

The next wave of technological transformation is not just smart – it is invisible and ubiquitous. As we move towards 2025, Ambient Intelligence is becoming woven into the fabric of our cities and industries, with Brazil emerging as a key innovation hub.

An initiative called Yes!Recife exemplifies how this trend can address urban challenges by using Design Thinking and collaborative workshops to tackle issues ranging from healthcare efficiency to real-time road maintenance.

The future lies in what a Brazilian investor calls the "AIoT First" approach – the powerful fusion of AI with the Internet of Things. This convergence is creating intelligent environments that respond transparently to human needs, from optimizing industrial operations to enhancing urban services, while prioritizing sustainability and quality of life.

#3 Quantum Computing: Exploring the Future of High-Performance Technology

Quantum computing represents an imminent revolution in computational capabilities, promising to surpass the limits of traditional technologies with its ability to process information on an unimaginable scale and speed. This emerging technology has the potential to solve complex problems that are insurmountable for classical supercomputers, such as molecular simulations for new drug discovery, optimization of global logistics systems, and advanced financial analyses for risk mitigation.

As quantum computing advances, it opens doors to the creation of quantum algorithms that can transform cryptography, artificial intelligence, and big data analysis, with significant impacts on virtually all industrial and research sectors. Academic institutions, technology companies, and governments around the world are already investing billions to develop infrastructures that support this next generation of computing.

#4 Critical Infrastructure: The New Frontline of Cybersecurity

Critical infrastructure systems are facing unprecedented threats. Recent data shows that cyberattacks against these systems increased by 30% in just one year, with the energy, transportation, and telecommunications sectors emerging as the main targets. As these systems become more digitally interconnected, their vulnerability to cyber threats grows exponentially.

The Integrated Center for Security in Advanced Systems (CISSA), Embrapii's Cybersecurity Competence Center, an initiative of Embrapii operated by CESAR, is leading the evolution of cybersecurity in Brazil. CISSA represents an innovative operational model focused on four main areas: identity and access management, data protection and privacy, cyber threat intelligence, and legal, ethical, and behavioral aspects.

This initiative comes at a crucial moment, as Brazil's dependence on foreign technological platforms has created significant security vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. The risk extends beyond individual systems. Recent disruptions have highlighted how reliance on international big tech solutions can compromise national security and operational resilience.

#5 Building human-centered security

The evolution of cybersecurity should focus on its most critical and vulnerable component: humans. With 88% of data breaches attributed to human error, organizations are recognizing that technology alone is not enough. The challenge is particularly present among age groups, with younger employees about five times more likely to report security errors. Curiously, time and experience prove to be valuable in cybersecurity.

While 32% of employees aged 31-40 clicked on phishing links, only eight percent of those over 51 report falling for these scams. This suggests that life experience and strong professional networks help in detecting suspicious activities.

The path forward requires a multifaceted approach that includes integrating security into daily workflows, replacing traditional training with interactive learning experiences, and involving employees in the development of security policies. By treating security as a collaborative effort, organizations can build stronger defenses that leverage both human insight and innovation.

#6 Defending Against Disinformation: A New Frontier of Security

Disinformation is intensifying in Latin America, with sophisticated "digital mercenaries" operating across the political spectrum to spread false narratives. These actors are increasingly skilled at bypassing social media platform security measures, creating a complex challenge that requires innovative solutions.

A collaborative investigation by media organizations from 14 Latin American countries exposed the scale of this threat, according to Foreign Policy. The research, coordinated by the Latin American Center for Investigative Journalism (CLIP), reveals how disinformation networks have successfully evaded both platform controls and government oversight.

As an example, Brazil’s Electoral Court demonstrated how swift action can be effective, having successfully countered false allegations of electoral fraud within 24 hours of their emergence.

#7 Corporate Security: Brazil’s Financial Sector Under Threat

The success story of fintechs in Brazil has created an unexpected challenge: unprecedented levels of financial cybercrime. With Pix processing over three billion transactions monthly – five times more than traditional card payments – the country's digital financial infrastructure has become an attractive target for sophisticated attacks.

The statistics tell a compelling story: 44% of Brazilians only have digital accounts, making the market particularly vulnerable to browser-based threats. This vulnerability is driving strategic responses across the industry.

Experian's $350 million acquisition of ClearSale in October 2024 signals a shift toward integrated fraud prevention solutions that combine transaction monitoring with account security.

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