The logistics industry is getting highly crowded and competitive in the island nation. One such startup specializing in this space has announced raising of $626K in a seed round of funding.
The firm has raised the capital from Startia Inc., and other private investors including Alex Tan (Regional CIO, DB Schenker Asia Pacific) and Eric Dadoun (Impiro).
Qourier focuses on same-day delivery and instead of employing its own set of vehicles and drivers, it works with freelancers and other courier firms. Currently, it claims to be working with over 5,000 freelancers.
With the funds, it will extend its teams and augment the service. Qourier will also be relocating to a bigger office. The firm is exploring other markets, the team has connections in Taipei while investors can enable the expansion in Southeast Asia region.
Incorporated in 2014, shipping can be done by anyone of at least 16 years of age. There is no cap on the mode of transport, it can be a bike, car, van, or even a public transport. People, post registration in its app, go through a verification process, after that, they can begin working.
Individuals or firms availing the service via the app, make the payment and the delivery is carried out the same day.
Started by Yongjie, Elston Yee, and Satheesh Thekku Veethil, few months within the inception, the team itself was running around making deliveries.
The startup has now over 500 clients to use the service, which includes numerous startups and businesses. It also provides the service of making international deliveries, which it conducts via DHL. The prices offered are affordable, this is attributed to the grouping of many deliveries from the companies it associates with.
Yongie is quoted saying many SMEs do not have the volume to negotiate such discount. For example, shipping something which costs $100, will be priced at around $30 and will reach the location within three working days.
