Amsterdam-based Sparqle, a sustainable delivery platform that believes last-mile delivery can be made more sustainable, has secured €1.2M in a fresh round of funding.
The funding was led by a group of angel investors including the former MD of Deliveroo EU, former CTO of Just Eat Takeaway, and Bloomon founder, alongside Graduate Entrepreneur Fund.
Ruurd Tjeerdema, co-founder of Sparqle, mentions in a LinkedIn post, “This funding round confirms the trust in our team and vision of industry experts from Just Eat Takeaway, Deliveroo and Bloomon.”
“Thanks to the support of our shareholders, we are empowered to amplify our positive impact on both the e-commerce and retail sectors.”
Capital utilisation
The funds will help Sparqle accelerate the development of its technology, enhance its sustainable delivery network, and expand in additional European countries.
Co-founder Tjeerdema, says, “The logistics sector holds untapped potential for innovation, particularly in sustainability and efficiency. This investment propels us forward, allowing us to bring our vision of cleaner, more livable cities to life. Our approach not only addresses the urgent need for greener solutions but also keeps cost efficiency in focus.”
“We are already in discussions with venture capital companies because we have the ambition to conquer Europe. Our technology accelerates the sustainable transition, which requires capital.”
Sparqle co-founder Ruurd Tjeerdema told mtsprout that the company is in discussions with venture capital firms, aiming to secure funding for its ambition to expand and conquer the European market.
The startup believes its technology plays a crucial role in accelerating the sustainable transition, necessitating additional capital for growth.
Sustainable last-mile delivery
Sparqle, established in 2021 by Tim van Alphen, Ruurd Tjeerdema and Maurice Stam, is revolutionising urban logistics through smart delivery solutions, emphasising on sustainability, speed, and affordability.
Co-founder Van Alphen says, “As cities move towards emission-free zones, Sparqle’s platform emerges as a solution for businesses aiming to meet sustainability targets without compromising on efficiency.”
“Additionally, our commitment to transparency and sustainability is directly in line with the objectives of the recently enacted Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which mandates comprehensive reporting on environmental impact and CO2 emissions for companies operating within the EU.
“Our detailed sustainability reporting is designed to meet these requirements, ensuring that our partners can confidently demonstrate their contribution to sustainable urban logistics.”
The company has developed solutions to predict customer demand and overcome common challenges in the delivery sector. Their single app integrates orders and riders, resulting in efficient deliveries and substantial cost reductions.
Sparqle optimises delivery operations by consolidating orders from diverse sectors such as logistics, retail, food, and e-commerce. This approach ensures a workflow for delivery riders, emphasising their well-being while simultaneously improving overall delivery efficiency.
The company prioritises sustainability by using electric (cargo) bikes for direct deliveries, reducing carbon emissions and setting a new standard for eco-friendly last-mile services.
In October 2023, the Dutch company secured pre-seed funding from the Rotterdam/Delft-based Graduate Entrepreneur Fund. The funding amount was not disclosed.
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