Czech company DoDo Group, “specialists” in last-mile B2B logistics tech, recently announced a €60 million Series B round led by EC Investments and J&T Capital.
The funds will be used “to further develop DoDo’s data-driven logistics platform and drive the group’s expansion into Western and Southern Europe.”
As noted in an update shared with CI, the funds “represent the firm’s largest investment to date, following a year which saw it nearly double its annual revenue to almost €40 million.”
DoDo’s network of more than 2,000 couriers in seven countries “combined to deliver over 4 million shipments in 2021, and it is looking to repeat last year’s growth by doubling turnover once again to over €80 million in 2022.”
With Covid-19 accelerating the shift to ecommerce, and supply chains increasingly strained, “demand for efficient logistics technology is strong.”
In particular, consumer demand for next and even same-day delivery “is driving the need for data-driven Urban Logistics that can optimize delivery.”
As “leaders” in this field, DoDo Group will use the investment “to further develop it’s GAIA platform – using real-time data and predictive analytics to maximize efficiency and sustainability.”
DoDo group will also “use the new funds to achieve its ambition of maintaining its position as a top-three last-mile logistics operator in Europe.”
The investment was co-led by Czech businessman Daniel Křetínský’s EC Investments, who “is well-known in the UK for his major ownership stakes in West Ham United and The Royal Mail.”
He was “joined by Patrik Tkáč, founder of J&T Capital Partners and co-owner of EP Global Commerce alongside Mr Křetínský.”
Their investment sees them “increase their minority stakes, providing the capital and expertise to accelerate DoDo’s growth. Rockaway Capital also participated in the round.”
London-based Royal Park Partners, the “specialist” Fintech corporate advisory firm, “acted as exclusive strategic and financial advisors throughout the fundraising process.”
Royal Park Partners “are EMEA’s most active fintech advisors, raising over $1 billion for clients in 2021.”
Michal Menšík, CEO of DoDo Group said:
“DoDo has grown from a start-up into a champion of its field and we make no secret of our ambition to continue to join Europe’s premier business league. We have a great service that has stood up to even the biggest and most demanding multinational retail chains at home and abroad. Now is the time to leverage our technological edge and operational capabilities and start changing the established standards of last mile delivery in other European markets. I believe we have found the best possible partners for our ambitious goals, who have extensive experience in building a pan-European business.”
Branislav Miškovič of EC Investments added:
“The investment in DoDo is attractive to us in a number of ways, the main one being that the company combines last-mile logistics with retail in an interesting and innovative way, areas in which we are investing significantly within the wider EP Corporate Group. Thanks to the know-how of the DoDo team and the breadth of our portfolio, I am confident that we will be able to collaborate on further exciting joint projects in the future,”
As mentioned in the update, DoDo “operates as a highly efficient, data-driven and reliable B2B last-mile solution.”
The company, which currently operates with about 2,000 couriers and 1,250 vehicles “was found in the Czech Republic and has already expanded its services to Slovakia, Poland, Germany, Austria, Hungary and Bulgaria.”
The company “is focused on developing its own data-driven logistic platform and providing the best-in-class logistic solutions with emphasis on speed, sustainability, and the best possible customer experience.”
As mentioned in the announcement, Royal Park Partners “is the fintech industry’s strategic financial advisor – trusted by innovators, investors and institutions to execute with precision and pace.”
Their role “goes above and beyond flawless processes to deliver guidance, support and deal journeys that generate both volume and value.”