Upper90 provides tailored growth capital to top disruptors in eCommerce, FinTech, and Supply Chain Finance. Founded in 2018 by executives from Seamless-GrubHub and Goldman Sachs, the firm has grown AUM to $1.2B and has originated over $1B of additional co-investment capacity to LPs through SPVs and direct opportunities. Industry leaders like Thrasio, Clearco, Crusoe Energy, Clutch, Settle, and Octane have each secured an initial credit facility from Upper90, helping their founders scale with less dilution.

Upper90

PROOF invests in breakout high-performing companies in growth rounds across all VC sectors except life sciences. The firm works in partnership with early stage VCs and leverages their pro-rata rights in exchange for sharing part of the upside.

PROOF

360 Capital is a Venture Capital firm investing in early stage, innovative deeptech & digital enterprises across Europe. The firm has a 20-year track record of supporting talented tech entrepreneurs in developing ambitious & disruptive companies in a variety of sectors. Led by a diverse and experienced team of professionals located in Paris and Milan, 360 Capital has €400M of assets under management and an active portfolio of over 50 companies. A few examples from our current portfolio include Alsid, Earthcube, Exotec, Arbe Robotics, Sophia Genetics, Le Slip Français and Tediber.  Find out more on our website!

360 Capital

HOF Capital is a global multistage VC firm with $1 billion in AUM that partners with ambitious entrepreneurs from idea to IPO.

HOF Capital

Fuel Ventures is a technology fund focusing on marketplaces, fintech, platforms, and SaaS startups in the UK.  The Fuel Ventures Portfolio (the ''Fund'') invests at the most lucrative early stages of internet technology companies that have exceptional growth potential and substantial returns can be achieved. The Fund focuses on marketplaces, platforms, and SaaS business models, identifying investments in seed and growth stages. Bringing together great entrepreneurs into an environment of innovation, collaboration, and support in RocketSpace in the heart of London. We provide a unique combination of mentorship, experience, and access to the investment required to drive a business and ideas to success. Founded in 2015 by entrepreneur and investor Mark Pearson, Fuel Ventures is focused on bringing a unique approach to early-stage investment.

Fuel Ventures

DIP Capital is a venture capital firm that invests across Europe in disruptive businesses. DIP's first fund has €40m to invest in late seed-stage and growth companies, to support top entrepreneurs that have the most interesting disruptive business

DIP Capital

Sprint VC is a New York based venture capital firm investing in companies building revolutionary technologies.

Sprint Vc

Heroes

Heroes is a technology-driven e-commerce company that acquires, operates, and scales small and medium-sized brands with category-winning products on global marketplaces. We focus on Amazon FBA brands with outstanding customer reviews and a proven track record of leading bestseller lists in high-growth niches.

Heroes is a UK-based ecommerce company that specializes in acquiring and scaling high-performing businesses on Amazon's Marketplace. Launched in June 2020, the company focuses on acquiring Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) brands operating in niche sectors such as Baby, Pets, Homeware, Kitchenware, Garden, DIY, Sports, and Outdoors. FBA is a hands-free method where sellers store their products in Amazon's warehouses, and Amazon fulfills orders, ships directly to customers, and manages customer support.

UK-based Heroes raises $200M to buy up more Amazon merchants for its roll-up play

based startup bags £49M to acquire and scale high performing Amazon businesses

based ecommerce firm Heroes exits stealth mode; raises €55.2M in equity & debt financing

Klarna sells virtual shopping business Hero

Marketplaces and related solutions for selling goods and services online

Ecommerce Platforms

Heroes is a UK-based ecommerce company that specializes in acquiring and scaling high-performing businesses on Amazon's Marketplace. Launched in June 2020, the company focuses on acquiring Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) brands operating in niche sectors such as Baby, Pets, Homeware, Kitchenware, Garden, DIY, Sports, and Outdoors. FBA is a hands-free method where sellers store their products in Amazon's warehouses, and Amazon fulfills orders, ships directly to customers, and manages customer support.
Heroes' strategy involves consolidating acquired brands onto a single technology platform, enabling better supply chain management, enhanced data analytics, and machine learning capabilities for improved marketing and growth strategies. The company claims that the sales of brands it has acquired since its launch in November 2020 have grown fivefold.
By August 2021, Heroes had raised USD 265 million in funding, primarily to finance further acquisitions. The company aimed to double its headcount to around 140 employees by the end of 2021, with a focus on operational experts to run the acquired businesses effectively.

Vestiaire Collective is a leading global online marketplace for pre-owned luxury fashion items. Founded in 2009 in Paris, France, the company aims to transform the fashion industry into a more sustainable model by promoting circular fashion and reducing overconsumption and waste.
Vestiaire Collective operates a platform where buyers and sellers can buy, sell, and trade authenticated pre-owned luxury fashion items, including clothing, handbags, shoes, and accessories from renowned brands such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, and Prada. As of 2023, the platform had over 3 million items listed and a community of around 23 million members across 78 countries.
The company's core value proposition lies in its rigorous authentication process. All items listed on the platform undergo meticulous quality and authenticity checks by a team of trained experts, ensuring the legitimacy of the products sold. This process involves thorough examination of materials, craftsmanship, branding elements, and serial numbers, as well as the use of advanced technologies like image recognition software.
Vestiaire Collective's business model is commission-based, with the company charging a percentage fee on successful transactions. The fee structure varies based on the sale price, ranging from 15% for items sold between USD 80 and USD 13,000 to a fixed fee for higher-priced items.
In recent years, Vestiaire Collective has undertaken various sustainability initiatives, such as launching the "Brand Approved" program, which allows luxury brands to integrate circularity into their business models by facilitating the buyback and resale of their pre-owned items. The company aims to become carbon neutral by 2026 and has implemented measures to reduce its environmental footprint, including offering green shipping options and eco-friendly packaging.

Vestiaire Collective

Trendyol is a leading ecommerce platform based in Turkey that was founded in 2010 by Demet Mutlu. It operates as a marketplace connecting buyers with a wide range of sellers offering products across various categories including fashion, electronics, beauty, and groceries. Trendyol has evolved from a single shopping site to a comprehensive ecommerce ecosystem, offering complementary services such as logistics (Trendyol Express), instant delivery (Trendyol Go), digital payments (Trendyol Pay), and a secondhand marketplace (Dolap).
Initially bootstrapped with USD 300,000 by Mutlu, Trendyol witnessed rapid growth, reaching over a million customers within its first year. As of 2023, the platform boasts over 30 million customers, 250,000 sellers, and delivers more than 1 million packages daily. Trendyol's success can be attributed to its focus on affordable pricing, a diverse product range, and a sustainable business model that supports digitization of local manufacturers and small businesses.
In 2018, Alibaba Group acquired a majority stake in Trendyol, valuing the company at USD 728 million. This strategic partnership provided Trendyol with technological expertise and helped position it as Turkey's first "decacorn" (a startup valued over USD 10 billion) after raising USD 1.5 billion in 2021, reaching a valuation of USD 16.5 billion.
Trendyol's commitment to creating a positive impact is evident through its support for local talent, sustainable sourcing, and initiatives promoting women's participation in the digital economy. The company has generated significant economic impact, contributing to the growth of over 90% of its sellers and enabling over 50,000 female entrepreneurs to establish ecommerce businesses.
Key customers and partnerships
Trendyol has established notable partnerships to enhance its technological capabilities and expand its reach. In 2018, Alibaba Group secured a significant stake in Trendyol, providing expertise and resources to support the platform's growth. This strategic partnership aims to boost Turkey's e-exports by enabling Turkish SMEs to leverage Alibaba's global network for exporting their products.
Additionally, Trendyol has partnered with EVS, aligning with their shared values of positively impacting people's lives and maintaining a startup spirit. This collaboration has allowed Trendyol to contribute further to Turkey's economy and leverage EVS's expertise in areas such as mobile payments, logistics, and exports.
Trendyol has also formed a partnership with AGH, a company rich in ecommerce experience. This alliance has enabled Trendyol to absorb knowledge and best practices in areas like logistics, mobile payments, and facilitating the growth of SMEs through the platform economy.

Trendyol

SidelineSwap is the world's largest online marketplace for buying and selling new and used sporting goods. It was founded in 2015 with the mission of making sports more affordable and accessible to everyone. The platform allows athletes, fans, and sports families to safely buy and sell a wide range of sports gear across various categories, including baseball, basketball, football, hockey, golf, lacrosse, skiing, snowboarding, and tennis. SidelineSwap has enabled athletes to earn over USD 250 million to date by reselling the extra gear they have at home.
The marketplace operates on a peer-to-peer model, where sellers can create free listings, and buyers can browse through the inventory to find great deals, often at up to 70% off retail prices. Sellers receive payment through SidelineSwap's secure platform once the buyer receives and approves the item. As of April 2024, SidelineSwap had helped over 2 million athletes resell over USD 250 million worth of used sports gear, keeping 180,000 pounds of gear out of landfills annually.
In addition to its core marketplace, SidelineSwap has developed a Trade-in Platform, which provides pop-up events, in-store, and online trade-in options for brands and retailers. This platform leverages SidelineSwap's proprietary marketplace technology and resale data, enabling sellers to choose between direct resale or instant trade-in value. The Trade-in Platform has been adopted by major retailers like DICK'S Sporting Goods and MonkeySports, allowing their customers to trade in used gear for store credits.

SidelineSwap

OnBuy is an online marketplace that was founded in 2016 with the aim of providing a fair and transparent platform for retailers and consumers alike. Unlike other major marketplaces, OnBuy does not hold its own inventory or compete with sellers by offering its own product lines. Instead, it acts as a pure online marketplace connecting independent retailers and brands with customers.
The platform offers a wide range of products across various categories, including electronics, entertainment, home and garden, office supplies, and more. As of March 2024, OnBuy hosts over 35 million products from 11,000 brands and retailers. The company has witnessed rapid growth, recording a 600% year-on-year increase in sales between 2018 and 2021.
OnBuy's unique selling proposition lies in its commitment to treating all sellers equally, regardless of their size or relationship with the platform. It operates on a transparent fee structure, charging a flat commission rate of 5% on consumer electronics and 9% for all other categories, with no listing fees. This approach has resonated well with retailers, attracting hundreds of new sign-ups each month.
In July 2023, OnBuy introduced a pioneering cashback rewards program, becoming the world's first cashback marketplace. Customers can earn uncapped cashback on every purchase, which can be spent instantly on the platform or withdrawn after 30 days. This innovative loyalty program aims to disrupt the online retail landscape and provide customers with tangible rewards for their loyalty.
OnBuy's growth has been fueled by its commitment to ethical practices, fair treatment of sellers, and a focus on customer needs. The platform's success has been recognized by various accolades, including being listed in the Financial Times' 1000 fastest-growing companies in Europe and Deloitte's Fast 50.
In December 2021, OnBuy announced its plans for an anticipated IPO within the next two years, as well as international expansion into over 140 countries. The company also acquired a new headquarters in central Bournemouth in March 2022 to support its growth ambitions.

OnBuy

OpenStore is a platform that provides instant liquidity for ecommerce entrepreneurs, primarily those selling on Shopify. Founded in 2021, the company allows merchants to sell their businesses quickly by providing a cash offer within 24 hours after connecting to their Shopify store and providing relevant data. OpenStore uses proprietary algorithms and data science to analyze a merchant's historical financials, order history, and marketing data to determine a valuation for the business.
The company acquires Shopify brands with USD 1 million to USD 10 million in gross merchandise volume, with a focus on US-based, direct-to-consumer brands. After the acquisition, OpenStore takes over operations of the businesses with the intention of growing them long-term. The company has acquired dozens of brands since late 2021 and aims to streamline the mergers and acquisitions process for ecommerce businesses through automation.
OpenStore differentiates itself from other ecommerce aggregators by its rapid turnaround time and focus on direct-to-consumer Shopify brands rather than Amazon marketplace sellers. The company closed a USD 32 million funding round in September 2022, valuing it at USD 970 million. As of July 2024, OpenStore had over 100 employees and had raised over USD 150 million in equity funding from investors including Lux Capital, Atomic, Founders Fund, General Catalyst, and Khosla Ventures.

OpenStore

C2C and B2C ecommerce platforms that enable users to sell a range of goods and services via their online marketplace (e.g., eBay, Amazon).

B2B ecommerce platforms that enable businesses to sell a range of goods and services aimed mainly at other businesses. These companies mostly provide wholesale/bulk purchases (e.g., DHgate, Lightinthebox).

B2C ecommerce platforms that enable businesses to sell specialized product categories (including electronics, fast fashion, or books) via their online marketplace (e.g., Trendyol, Asos, Bookshop).

Ecommerce solutions providers that offer software for customizable ecommerce and other websites or specific modules embedded in websites such as digital experience intelligence and ecommerce management support (e.g., Shopify, CommerceIQ).

Companies that buy and grow ecommerce brands on ecommerce marketplaces (e.g., Thrasio, OpenStore, Moonshot Brands).

Companies that use GenAI as a core part of their product offering for ecommerce platforms

Some companies in the "ecommerce website solutions" segment provide B2B SaaS solutions

GenAI-based Ecommerce Platform operators offer Generative AI as a part of their core offering

Ecommerce website solutions provide services to build customized platforms/experiences for ecommerce

Heroes

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