Milan-based “full grocer in the q-commerce space” Macai has raised $3 million in what the firm is calling, the largest ever in the Italian market and an important milestone for the local and European ecosystem.” While already active in two cities, Macai intends to use the funding to further build out its infrastructure as well as make key hires to continue overall growth and development.
If you’re like me, and thinking, “just what the world needs, another instant grocery delivery service,” (that Getir will most probably be interested in acquiring at one point or another), Macai is taking a slightly different approach to the norm. Thus far, we’ve seen Getir, Weezy, Gorillas, et. al. focusing on breaking the sound barrier in getting foods to your doorstep. However, no matter just how many red lights these Mad Max moped drivers run (I live in London, I see it all the time), the menu remains relatively scant. And this is where Macai wants to shake things up.
By offering up to 7,500 product types, the startup is going full speed AND full selection. Personally, I’ve always wondered why I can’t get saffron, a 2018 Chateau de la Liquiere, and toothpaste at 10:30 in the evening? Apparently, with Macai, that very well may be a possibility.
The service is already active in Milano and Torino, with more dark store openings planned for northern Italy within the coming weeks. The overall goal is to capture the Southern and Central European grocery delivery market, which, if I’m honest, is a fairly ambitious goal; a bit late to the game, wouldn’t you say? But who knows, I’ve been wrong many, many times before. Buona fortuna Macai.
Macai’s pre-seed round was led by newly founded Italian VC firm Lumen Ventures, and saw participation from Plug and Play Ventures, Cats.vc, and a number of undisclosed (mainly European) institutional and private investors.
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