At a Glance
Location: Brasília, Brazil
Impact Areas: Labor Inclusion, Employment Generation
People Supported:
Afro-Brazilians, Marginalized Groups
Joined NESsT Portfolio:
2023
Overview
Many delivery drivers in Brazil rely on delivery platforms and apps to make a living. Working as independent drivers, they use their own cars, bikes, and other vehicles to pick up on-demand requests or ‘gigs’ to deliver parcels, food, documents, and other products. While the gig economy provides much-needed income opportunities to the gig driver workforce – 68% of whom are from the Afro-descendant population – it lacks stability due to inconsistent work schedules and fluctuating income. Additionally, gig workers do not have access to basic employment rights such as wage protection, job security, sick pay, and health insurance.
In addition to these undignified working conditions, many drivers also face discrimination on the job. Trampay is a tech enterprise on a mission to create a fairer, safer gig economy for workers in Brazil. It provides gig workers with personal financial services and employment benefits that support them to earn a sustainable income in this expanding sector, contributing to their financial autonomy and quality of life and well-being.
Designed as a financial safety net, Trampay’s low-interest loans allow gig workers to cover basic day-to-day expenses for their households, such as food, rent, and healthcare. These micro loans are also used by drivers to meet on-the-job costs, which are essential for their work but are not covered by the contracting app companies. Having access to immediate credit for fuel and vehicle maintenance in the case of breakdowns means gig drivers do not miss days of work and lose out on income.
Trampay also operates a support point for drivers. The ‘Trampay station’ is a much-needed refuge for a workforce without a physical workplace. The space, which is strategically located in an area with a high demand for app orders, has clean restrooms, cooking facilities, and meeting rooms where drivers can heat up food, talk and interact with other workers, and rest after long shifts.
In 2021, Trampay launched a Benefits Club to offer delivery drivers a range of discounts on everyday expenses such as food, fuel, and vehicle maintenance. Today, Trampay works with 300 partner suppliers to provide discounted products and services in restaurants, pharmacies, medical centers, and education providers.
As of 2023, Trampay has 20,000 users receiving payment through its platform and 14 registered client companies. Trampay has been supported by Google through the Black Founders Fund Program, Movimento Black Money, and the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES).
Results & Impact
20,000
active users
300,000
gig-worker-drivers supported by 2025
+BR $25M
deployed to gig-worker-drivers as low-interest loans
““Trampay is founded upon three pillars: the first is to support people in terms of basic needs and well-being and to address challenges that demand immediate attention. The second pillar is income: we see employability and income as ways to improve people’s economic empowerment. Third, and most importantly for us, is supporting their social advancement.” ”
NESsT Investment
NESsT will work with the Trampay team to identify growth opportunities across its business lines and amplify its social impact, especially in areas of Brazil where gig workers face discrimination. To do so, NESsT will support the social enterprise to pursue partnerships with delivery collectives that also provide protection to workers in the gig economy.
NESsT’s investment will allow Trampay to set up a new support station in an area of high delivery demand. It will also enable the tech enterprise to continue offering low-interest loans to workers most in need, especially women and workers with children, and provide financial education services to assist workers in debt management and conscious financial planning to support the well-being of their families.
During its acceleration, Trampay will work alongside NESsT portfolio managers to track its social and racial impact, improve internal governance, and streamline financial management. NESsT’s business assistance will adapt to the needs of the Trampay team as it seeks to form alliances with leading companies in the app delivery market and expand its operations to the north of Brazil.