Spanish aggregator YABA scores $85 million to back digital brands that sell via Amazon

Barcelona-based aggregator startup for digital-native brands that sell via Amazon, YABA has closed an $85 million equity and debt financing round. The investment was led by international funds, including US VC firm Crossbeam Venture Partners, and alternative asset manager Tikehau Capital. Other VC firms that participated include 10x Founders, Bonsai Partners, Aldea Ventures, JME Ventures, and Inveready, as well as prominent family offices and angels from Latin America, Spain, France, and Italy.

The funds raised in the round will allow the company to continue to grow by acquiring new Amazon sellers, as well as by adding talent and increasing marketing investment in the brands it has acquired to help expand its business.

Founded in 2020 by Alejandro Fresneda, David Baratech, Rubén Ferreiro, Sergi de Pablos, and Patxi Archanco, the startup looks into the management of acquired brands with the aim of accelerating their growth and increasing their efficiency both on Amazon and on other marketplaces. The added value that it brings to the acquired sellers is based on improved stock management, optimised sourcing, and increased investment in the branding, marketing, and positioning of the companies.

Alejandro Fresneda, co-founder and co-CEO of YABA, said: “We see this as a positive validation by the market and investors of our value proposition and business model, and it allows us to move to the next level.”

After acquiring 12 companies in its first year and generating an aggregate turnover of more than $20 million, YABA has specialised in acquiring digital native brands dedicated to selling home, beauty, sports, baby care and pet care products. Among other brands, it has acquired Banbaloo and Superscandi.

Going forward, it plans to promote some of its brands in international marketplaces beyond Amazon, such as Lazada, Shopee and Mercado Libre, among others, as well as to enter the offline channel.

Talking about how the company is aim to achieve an aggregate turnover of at least $170 million in three years, David Baratech, co-founder and co-CEO of YABA, added: “We will use the capital injection to continue to buy brands in the verticals we are already in, as well as to expand into others that complement our brand. We will look at acquisitions in categories such as outdoor, lighting, etc. By the end of this year, we want to incorporate around 15 new companies and thereby construct a portfolio of at least 30 brands.”