Amsterdam-based Sparqle, a sustainable delivery platform that believes last-mile delivery can be made more efficient, greener, and reliable without increasing costs, has secured fresh pre-Seed funding from Rotterdam/Delft-based Graduate Entrepreneur Fund.
The funding amount has not been disclosed.
Last-mile delivery for a more sustainable world
Founded in 2021 by Tim van Alphen, Ruurd Tjeerdema and Maurice Stam, Sparqle aims to transform urban logistics with its smart delivery solutions by balancing sustainability, speed, and affordability.
Sparqle’s team has developed innovative solutions to accurately predict customer demand, addressing the challenge faced by many delivery companies. They have created a single app that combines orders and riders, leading to streamlined deliveries and significant cost savings.
By consolidating orders from different sectors like logistics, retail, food, and e-commerce, Sparqle ensures a consistent workflow for delivery riders, prioritising their well-being while enhancing overall delivery efficiency.
The company is dedicated to sustainability, utilising electric (cargo) bikes for direct deliveries from stores or hub networks near major cities. This eco-friendly approach cuts down carbon emissions and establishes a new benchmark for environmentally conscious last-mile delivery services.
Brief about the investor
The Graduate Entrepreneur initiative, announced on April 8, 2021, is led by influential alumni from Erasmus University Rotterdam, Erasmus MC, and the Delft University of Technology.
The initiative provides funding, coaching, and access to a vast network for startups working in medtech, logistics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The Fund’s management team, along with a student team from Delft and Rotterdam, guide these startups, requiring at least one founder to have a connection with the respective universities.
The focus is on developing technologies associated with these universities, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in these fields.
“Sparqle aligns perfectly with our vision of championing startups that drive progress, sustainability, and operational effectiveness. Sparqle’s mission to transform urban logistics and revolutionise last-mile delivery is inspiring, and we have full confidence in their visionary leadership team,” says the Graduate Entrepreneur Fund.