Making delivery logistics emission-free, Berlin’s Liefergrun drives in €12 million to enter Austria

At a time when e-commerce and grocery delivery sectors are facing challenging times, Berlin-based sustainable last-mile shipping platform Liefergrün has raised €12 million in Series A funding to expand its platform and presence in Europe. Leading the round was eCAPITAL along with existing investors Speedinvest and Norrsken VC.

The investment comes just six months after the startup’s €3 million seed round. The new infused capital will enable the clean tech to expand its zero-carbon shipping and logistics solutions and enter Austria. The startup is currently present in 30 of Germany’s largest cities.

Founded in 2020 by Niklas Tauch, Max Schleper and Robin Wingenbach, Liefergrun aims to make the last-mile of logistics emission-free, fair and convenient. The company, originally from Münster, relies on delivery via cargo bikes and e-vans. There were 4.05 billion e-commerce deliveries in Germany alone in 2021, producing 2.43 million tonnes of CO2 or 600 grams per delivery. By tackling the emission-heavy last mile of shipping, Liefergrün claims to prevent the release of 420 grams of CO2 per delivery.

Talking about the huge demand for sustainable delivery, Niklas Tauch, co-founder and CEO of Liefergrün, said: “It’s no secret that the tech industry, particularly the e-commerce and grocery delivery sectors, are facing challenging economic conditions. The new round is a testament to the strength of our green logistic offering.” According to Tauch, the company has witnessed a sales expansion of more than tenfold in 2022.

With major clients such as Adidas, Dyson and Every, the platform offers a range of services, including two hour and next day delivery which customers can track in real time using an app. The clean tech is also focusing on new digital features and services such as carbon offsetting and refund solutions to make the whole post-purchase experience more convenient and sustainable.

Ann-Christin Kortenbrede, investment manager at eCAPITAL, added: “Bringing together quick, consumer friendly and ecological last mile logistics is a hard nut to crack. Yet, Liefergrün has proven that it is possible. Leveraging their tech solutions, they have shown substantial growth with interesting e-commerce players offering the green and fast deliveries that no other player is able to offer and therefore starting a transformation of the market.”