£1.2m funding will help Zedify expand zero-emissions deliveries
Zero emissions delivery company Zedify has raised £1.2million to continue its UK expansion.
The investment round was led by Green Angel Syndicate (GAS) and supported by the British Business Bank, One Planet Capital and various angel groups.
The last-mile sustainable delivery pioneer, which is disrupting the urban delivery market with its innovative network of delivery hubs, currently operates out of nine UK cities.
The company’s expertise in cargo bike logistics and micro consolidation has resulted in Zedify also developing a powerful tech platform “to cut through the ever-growing challenges in urban logistics”.
Over the next four years, Zedify aims to expand to more than 45 hubs, becoming the leading sustainable delivery network for cities.
Founded in 2018 by Rob King and Sam Keam, the Cowley Road-based specialist has developed a hugely successful brand under the watchful eye of Rob, its long-term CEO. Rob launched the UK’s first commercial cargo bike delivery service in 2005 in Cambridge.
He said: “We are honoured and delighted by the latest raise for Zedify which will enable us to continue our ambitious growth plans to expand our sustainable and ethical delivery service.
“The investment is another indicator of the huge potential for revolutionising the way deliveries are done in cities. We must act quickly in the UK if we’re to make good our net zero goals and give all city dwellers the clean air and liveable cities they deserve. ”
Since its initial seed round in 2020 Zedify has delivered more than 800,000 parcels, saving more than 550 tonnes of CO2. It has increased operational capacity in London, expanded the central team, opened in Bristol, tripled its annualised run rate and been crowned ‘Urban Delivery Operator of the Year’ at the Motor Transport Awards.
Cities and businesses are under serious pressure to act on clean air and the climate crisis. In the context of a meteoric rise in ecommerce, the shift to a sustainable urban logistics model has never been more important. The World Economic Forum predicts demand for last mile delivery is expected to grow by 78 per cent by 2030. This will lead to 36 per cent more delivery vehicles and a related emissions rise of over 30 per cent, not to mention issues of increased congestion.
There is an enormous market opportunity to provide urban deliveries that are clean, flexible and competitive, and this investment shows a confidence in Zedify to rapidly expand. Retailers, parcel carriers, DTC brands and vibrant, local businesses are customers. The unique model of city consolidation using microhubs coupled with e-cargo bikes means they can offer faster and more flexible deliveries for their customers. The citywide benefits are evident with reduced congestion, carbon savings and noise and air pollution improvements through the use of specialist city vehicles.
Cam Ross, CEO of GAS, said: “We first invested in Zedify in 2020, and it was evident then that Rob and Sam and their teams were building something special.
“Zedify’s model is terrific – not only do they improve air quality and reduce CO2 emissions in city centres, but their operation can be deployed quickly into new cities.
“I am really looking forward to seeing which cities are next.”
