Meta acquires swedish AI firm to boost messaging commerce

Meta has acquired Stilla.ai, a Swedish AI startup, to enhance its Meta Business Agent, which supports transactions on WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram. The deal, confirmed by Axios, highlights Meta's strategy to integrate AI into its messaging ecosystem. Stilla, founded in 2024 in Stockholm, will join Meta once the acquisition is finalized, according to a source close to the transaction. The company, which emerged from stealth mode in January 2026, raised $5 million in pre-seed funding. Meta has been actively developing a commerce platform to connect small businesses with its 1 billion-plus messaging users over the past decade. The acquisition also signals Meta's intent to strengthen its presence in Sweden. The deal underscores the company's focus on leveraging AI for commercial applications within its messaging services. The acquisition is part of Meta's broader effort to expand its AI capabilities across its platforms. Stilla's technology is expected to play a key role in advancing Meta's business solutions. The company's small size and recent funding round reflect its rapid growth since entering the market. Meta's long-term goal remains to create a seamless commerce experience for users through its messaging apps. The deal is expected to close soon, with Stilla's team and technology joining Meta's operations. This move aligns with Meta's ongoing push to integrate AI into its core services and expand its commercial offerings.