Zèya started with a simple question: what if people could trade what they already own as easily as they scroll on their phones? That idea has now turned into a venture-backed push to rethink how local commerce works.
The Miami-based startup behind the swipe-to-swap marketplace recently closed a $2.45 million strategic growth round led by Storage Innovations LLC, giving momentum to a product that challenges the buy-and-discard model that dominates most online marketplaces today.
Founded by former Robinhood early team member Mehdi Taifi, Zèya lets users trade goods directly with each other, without cash, creating what the company describes as hyper-local micro-economies. Users swipe through nearby items, propose swaps, and complete exchanges that range from clothing and books to home goods and collectibles.
“Miami has been at the heart of Zèya’s story from day one,” Taifi told Refresh Miami. “It’s where the idea was born and pressure-tested in real communities. The city’s vibrant culture, scrappy energy, and growing tech scene helped us shape Zèya into a movement, not just an app.” He added that Miami also opened doors to creators and early adopters “who believe in the power of bartering and local exchange which directly helped with user traction and investor interest.”
That mix of local traction and cultural fit appears to have resonated with Storage Innovations, whose investment came structured across milestone-based tranches and at a multi-million-dollar post-money valuation.
Zèya’s pitch leans heavily into waste reduction and community-building, arguing that sustainability becomes more practical when it is embedded in everyday behavior. Swapping a jacket with someone nearby, rather than buying a new one shipped from across the country, makes that idea tangible.
Traction so far suggests the concept is landing. Zèya reports over 40,000 downloads, thousands of products listed, and hundreds of completed swaps, with active users in Miami, New York, Denver, and Paris. Much of that growth has come through organic influencer traction and community-building rather than heavy paid marketing, aligning with the company’s grassroots tone.
With new capital in hand, the focus now shifts to scaling the platform. “The capital will go toward product development, expanding our in-app delivery and cash+ Swap services, and growing our presence in key cities. We’re also investing in strategic partnerships, hiring, and building out our brand and our network to scale the Zèya movement globally,” Taifi said.
Behind that ambition is a team that remains intentionally lean. “We’re a lean team of about 12 active contributors, including contractors, advisors, and part-time leads. We believe in operating with high focus, and this funding allows us to scale smart especially on the engineering and marketing side,” he said.
To date, the company has raised about $2.6 million, including early angels and strategic advisors.
Zèya Founder Mehdi Taifi
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I am a Miami-based technology researcher and writer with a passion for sharing stories about the South Florida tech ecosystem. I particularly enjoy learning about GovTech startups, cutting-edge applications of artificial intelligence, and innovators that leverage technology to transform society for the better. Always open for pitches via Twitter @rileywk or www.RileyKaminer.com.
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