Relay Secures $10M in Seed Funding to Bring Uber-like Model to Parcel Delivery in the UK

Uber-for-parcels company Relay raises $10 million in a seed round led by Berlin's Project A Ventures and US-based Prologis Ventures to expand its innovative delivery platform in the UK. Relay's model, utilizing urban 'pitstops' and couriers, promises lower overhead and next-day services, challenging traditional parcel delivery methods. Its routing engine, akin to Uber's, optimizes routes by combining deliveries and returns, while local couriers enjoy benefits like sick and holiday pay. Operational in London, Relay counts JD Sports and THG among its clients, with plans for a nationwide rollout in 2024.

Jonathan Jenssen, Relay's CEO, notes the contrast between Asian delivery companies tailored for e-commerce and those in Europe and the US. Relay aims to bridge this gap, offering a solution suited to the rapidly changing e-commerce landscape. In the UK, Relay faces competition from established players like Evri, Royal Mail, Yodel, and DPD.