Sebastian Mejia’s journey from Colombia to Europe, the United States, and back to Latin America is a story of curiosity, resilience, and entrepreneurial ambition. Born in Cali, Colombia, Mejia pursued his education in Spain, studying economics at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and later studying mathematics, microeconomics, and Java programming at ESADE in Barcelona. His international experience exposed him to different cultures, markets, and approaches to business, shaping the global perspective that would become an important part of his entrepreneurial career.

Mejia's experience abroad was not simply academic. During his years in Spain, he started small businesses to help pay for his education, including selling iPods with customized playlists and beverages on the beach. He later moved to New York, where he worked with investors and gained experience in finance, consulting, and business development. In a 2025 Forbes profile, Mejia described himself as an immigrant and explained that being an outsider contributed to his sense of being an underdog and strengthened his determination to succeed.

Before Rappi, Mejia co founded Grability, a technology company focused on mobile shopping and digital retail. Founded in 2013, Grability developed technology that helped retailers create mobile shopping experiences and worked with brands and retailers in several international markets. The experience gave Mejia and his future Rappi co founders valuable insight into the challenges consumers faced when trying to purchase products online.

In 2015, Mejia, alongside Simón Borrero and Felipe Villamarín, co founded Rappi in Colombia. The company initially focused on connecting consumers with local businesses and delivering products to their homes. Its early model evolved rapidly, eventually expanding beyond groceries and restaurants to include pharmacies, supermarkets, financial services, and other offerings. Rappi's official history identifies the three entrepreneurs as its founders and describes the company as developing into a Latin American superapp.

Rappi's growth helped establish a new category of technology businesses in Latin America. The company entered Y Combinator's Winter 2016 batch and expanded across the region. By 2018, Rappi had reached a valuation of approximately $1 billion, making it one of Latin America's early technology unicorns. Its expansion demonstrated how technology could be adapted to the specific realities of Latin American cities, including local commerce, transportation, payments, and delivery.

Mejia's contribution to Rappi has extended beyond the creation of a delivery platform. His international experiences helped shape a perspective that connected global technology trends with local market realities. Rappi's success was built around understanding the particular needs of consumers and businesses across Latin America rather than simply copying models developed in other markets. In 2024, TIME recognized Rappi among its 100 Most Influential Companies, highlighting the platform's significant presence across the region.

After nearly a decade with Rappi, Mejia announced in 2025 that he was stepping away from his executive responsibilities while remaining involved with the company through its board. He described the decision as the beginning of a new chapter focused on building new companies and returning to his entrepreneurial roots.

Today, Sebastian Mejia's story represents a distinctive form of immigrant entrepreneurship. His journey took him from Colombia to Spain and the United States before bringing him back to Latin America, where he helped build one of the region's most prominent technology companies. His experience demonstrates how moving between countries can broaden an entrepreneur's understanding of markets, expose them to different ideas, and provide perspectives that can ultimately be applied to solving problems at home.

Mejia's story is a reminder that immigrant contribution is not always defined by permanently settling in one destination. Sometimes, it is about carrying knowledge, experiences, and ideas across borders and using them to create opportunities in different parts of the world.