Deliv Raises $40M, Gets Support From Google

Deliv, the startup delivery platform that has partnerships with well-known brands, has raised $40 million in venture funding.

VentureBeat, citing the company, said the series C round of fundraising included Google, Clayton Venture Partners, UPS, General Catalyst Partners, The Macerich Company, PivotNorth Capital, RPM Ventures and Upfront Ventures. Deliv, which launched in 2012, has delivery partnerships with Best Buy, Macy’s, Home Depot and Walgreens. With Deliv, anyone who owns their own car can become a delivery driver in their location, with the platform available in many cities around the U.S., reported VentureBeat.

Deliv had previously raised $40 million, which included a $28 million series B round in the early part of 2016. It also has $40 million in the bank.

VentureBeat noted that Google’s participation in the round of funding is interesting because it is Google, not its venture arm, that is making the investment. That signals the investment is strategic for Google, and could be part of a way for it to boost its own eCommerce delivery service.

“The backing by our new and existing strategic investors highlights the fact that Deliv is at the forefront of megatrends connecting the world’s largest industries,” said Deliv Founder and CEO Daphne Carmeli in the report. “We embrace the challenge of creating the future of last-mile logistics with the support of this unparalleled group of strategic investors.”

Getting packages in the hands of consumers has become a big business, as eCommerce has taken off and consumers want the instant gratification that Amazon provides. Amazon, for its part, is building its own delivery fleet. Other rivals in the market include Postmates, which raised $300 million in a recent round of fundraising, and Instacart, which raised $200 million earlier this year.

Earlier this fall, Deliv announced it is expanding its same-day delivery capabilities from 19 markets to 33, and will now offer courier services in 1,400 cities.