Runa Capital is a technology-focused venture capital firm managing two funds – Runa I was launched with $135M in 2010 and has made 33 investments,  Runa II of $135M was launched in 2014 and has made 30 investmerns and Runa III was started in 2019 and is in active investment stage right now.  The fund was established to seek early stage opportunities in the rapidly growing tech sector, with the specific focus on deeptech (AI, ML, open-source), future of computing, fintech infrastructure and enterprise software. Runa brings a team with extensive operational experience and is focused on finding growth businesses that generate revenues, supporting them in the global marketplace and turning them into international champions. Founded by Ilya Zubarev, Serg Bell (founders of Parallels and Acronis) and Dmitry Chikhachev (Ericsson, Ritzio, Uvenco) Runa Capital is run by a team of successful entrepreneurs, most of whom have worked together for over 15 years. It is a united team with broad geographical and cross-industry experience, as well as an extensive professional network. Runa Capital investment team members possess an excellent track record in tech investments.

Runa Capital

iTech Capital is a global investment manager specializing in the high growth stages of internet-based businesses since 2010. The firm has two funds under management: iTech Fund I and iTech Fund II. iTech Fund II launched in 2018, invests worldwide in globally-scalable tech companies at both the critical Series A stage and beyond. The firm has 7 successful exits and 2 unicorns raised - Bitfury and TradingView, and 10+ IT holdings in the portfolio. Key investment areas: FinTech, AdTech, CryptoTech, Online Travel & Ticketing. For more information on iTech and all its investments, visit itcap.vc

iTech Capital

Morgan Stanley Expansion Capital is a private equity platform targeting late-stage growth investments in technology, health care, consumer, digital media and other high-growth sectors. For nearly three decades, Morgan Stanley has successfully pursued growth investment opportunities. Expansion Capital’s experienced investment team combines extensive growth equity and franchise experience to pursue a value-creation strategy focused on operational and financial measures. The team works closely with the successful entrepreneurs and business professionals underlying its investments to assist in building proprietary advantage for portfolio companies. Expansion Capital also leverages the brand and global network of Morgan Stanley to source investment intelligence and opportunities.

Morgan Stanley Expansion Capital

PeakSpan focuses exclusively on growth stage, B2B/enterprise software companies. The firm invests in companies that serve the full spectrum of buyers from small businesses to large enterprises. PeakSpan's research, network development, and learning are focused on the sectors their entrepreneurs live in. As a result, they bring a rich portfolio of assets to the table relevant to all of the companies with whom they partner.

PeakSpan Capital

Trestle LP is a private fund that partners with pre-Series A enterprise software (SaaS) founders who are biased towards responsible growth and the preservation of exit opportunities. We focus on identifying SaaS businesses with strong product-market ﬁt and responsible growth patterns.

Trestle Partners

Ecwid

Ecwid is an e-commerce platform that enables individuals and businesses to add a full-featured store to any existing website while preserving its design. It can be integrated into any online website, mobile site, or social network. It helps merchants converge their offline and online sales through its POS and mobile POS integration, so they can sell their products anywhere, at any time, and from any device. Ecwid provides online selling solutions for small businesses and enables them to establish a digital storefront in a matter of hours. It also offers merchants access to key marketplaces, including Amazon and Google, access to a range of point-of-sale solutions, and the ability to advertise and sell on social media channels such as Instagram and Facebook.

Ecwid is a cloud-based ecommerce platform that allows businesses to set up an online store. One of its key features is the ability to easily integrate an ecommerce store with an existing website or sell across multiple channels such as social media platforms, marketplaces, and mobile apps. Ecwid provides a user-friendly interface for managing products, orders, inventory, and sales channels from a centralized dashboard.

6 Ecwid alternatives for e-commerce in 2024

Ecwid ecommerce store: how to know if it’s right for your business

Ecwid Review — Pros and Cons, Pricing and Alternatives

Ecwid Review 2024: Features, Pricing & More

Ecwid vs Shopify — Which is Better?

The Best Free Ecommerce Platform?

Ecwid (by Lightspeed) Review: Solid Ecommerce Software?

Marketplaces and related solutions for selling goods and services online

Ecommerce Platforms

WooCommerce Vs Ecwid (2024 Comparison) – Forbes Advisor

Ecwid is a cloud-based ecommerce platform that allows businesses to set up an online store. One of its key features is the ability to easily integrate an ecommerce store with an existing website or sell across multiple channels such as social media platforms, marketplaces, and mobile apps. Ecwid provides a user-friendly interface for managing products, orders, inventory, and sales channels from a centralized dashboard.
The platform offers a free plan that allows users to sell up to 10 products, with paid plans (Venture, Business, and Unlimited) providing additional features and higher product limits. Some notable features of Ecwid include a mobile point-of-sale (POS) system, abandoned cart recovery, multilingual support, automatic tax calculations, real-time shipping rate calculations from major carriers, and integration with various payment gateways without additional transaction fees.
Key customers and partnerships
Ecwid integrates with popular website builders and content management systems (CMS) such as WordPress, Wix, Tumblr, and Weebly, allowing users to seamlessly add ecommerce functionality to their existing websites. It also supports selling on popular social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, as well as marketplaces like Amazon and eBay (on paid plans).
Ecwid has partnered with various dropshipping suppliers, print-on-demand services, and payment gateways to provide additional selling and payment options for its users. Some notable integrations include Wholesale2B, Syncee, Spocket, Printful, Printify, PayPal, Stripe, and Lightspeed Payments (Ecwid's native payment gateway).

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).

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

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

Ecwid

Sources

About EDGE

Contact Us

Resources

Area of Focus

Technology Research Made Effortless