Online parcel shipping platform Packlink has secured $12.6 million in Series C funding. Eight Roads Ventures (formerly known as Fidelity Growth Partners Europe) led the round with participation from Accel Partners and Active Venture Partners. PRESS RELEASE London, UK –15 SEPTEMBER 2015 – Packlink, the fast-growing online parcel shipping platform, has successfully raised $12.6m in Series C investment, led by Eight Roads Ventures (formerly Fidelity Growth Partners Europe). Existing investor Accel Partners and founding investor, Active Venture Partners have also participated in the round. Packlink’s total funding to date now totals $24.9m. The Spanish startup was founded in 2012 with an ambition to become the leading global shipping API, connecting shipping providers with consumers and businesses. Packlink is growing at 100% year-on-year with operations in Spain, Germany, France and Italy. The company already integrates with more than 20 partners (DHL, UPS, TNT, etc.) offering 300 different services; its scale enables it to provide significant discounts to users. The investment will be used to further strengthen Packlink’s marketplace and eCommerce businesses. Online merchants still struggle to offer a good user experience when it comes to shipping, with statistics showing that three of the top five consumer experience complaints relate to shipping. Ben Askew-Renaut, founder and CEO of Packlink, says: “We have built really exciting technology that lets online merchants and marketplaces offer their customers the sort of shipping experience normally reserved for large retailers, allowing them to focus on their core business. This investment will help Packlink on its path to becoming a leading provider of carrier services across Europe, giving both businesses and consumers easy access to the world of shipping and parcel delivery.” Davor Hebel, Partner, Eight Roads Ventures, comments: “Packlink is a powerful reminder that market-leading innovation is happening right across Europe. The company’s platform is best-in-class and its commercial traction is very exciting. We are delighted to have led this funding round and to support Packlink’s future growth trajectory, sharing our expertise in building great software and marketplace businesses.” Michiel Kotting, Partner, Accel, said: “Packlink provides an indispensable service to eCommerce companies, marketplaces, and consumers alike. It helps provide them with Amazon level logistic solutions for discount prices. It is an essential solution in an increasingly global market.” “The Packlink team has proven an impressive ability to execute on their ambitious and disruptive vision made in Europe. We are excited about the successful internationalisation efforts supported through our partnership”, says Ricard Söderberg, Founding Partner, ACTIVE Venture Partners. ** About Packlink In 2012 Packlink launched as discount shipping comparison and booking platform for consumers and businesses. Along with the impressive rise in eCommerce, Packlink continues to grow rapidly, now operating in several European markets, offering more than 300 courier services and a SaaS platform for shipping for SMBs, ensuring that both consumers and businesses save time and money on merchandise transport. Packlink’s mission is to make shipping simple and transparent to consumers, companies and eCommerce sites throughout the world. For more information on Packlink, please contact press@packlink.com or visit www.packlink.com. About Eight Roads Ventures Eight Roads Ventures (the new name for Fidelity Growth Partners) is a venture capital investor backing technology entrepreneurs with aspirations for greatness. By combining a collaborative approach with a global network and a 50-year history of venture investing, Eight Roads Ventures helps companies across the globe accelerate their growth and become leaders in their field. A strong track record includes investments in market leaders such as Alibaba, China PnR, CloudByte, Cúram (IBM), Hile, InnoGames, Made.com, Manthan Systems, Metaps, NewBay (RIM), NotontheHighStreet.com, Rivo Software, VMC and Wahanda (Recruit). In Europe, Eight Roads Ventures is currently investing a £150 million fund dedicated to backing fast-growing European companies focused on enterprise, consumer and financial technology. www.eightroads.com and @8roadsventures. About Accel Partners Accel is a leading early and growth-stage venture capital firm, powering a global community of entrepreneurs. Accel backs entrepreneurs who have what it takes to build a world-class, category-defining business. Founded in 1983, Accel brings more than three decades of experience building and supporting hundreds of companies. Accel’s vision for entrepreneurship and business enables it to identify and invest in the companies that will be responsible for the growth of next-generation industries. Accel has backed a number of iconic global platforms, which are powering new experiences for mobile consumers and the modern enterprise, including Atlassian, BlaBlaCar, Dropbox, Etsy, Facebook, Flipkart, Funding Circle, Kayak, QlikTech, Simplivity, Slack, Spotify, Supercell, World Remit and others. About ACTIVE Venture Partners ACTIVE is a European venture capital company focused on positively disrupting its traditional sector. Spearheaded by a diverse, passionate and multinational team, it is building a reputation for providing support that goes beyond capital for high growth businesses. With a presence in Spain, Germany and Scandinavia, ACTIVE targets entrepreneurial teams driving digital start-ups and seeking holistic partnerships based on shared values and pro-active support. Start-up founders connect to the unique ACTIVE community to engage with sector specialists, growth experts and senior advisors. Since 2004 ACTIVE has invested in 25 companies in two funds totaling €74m. In 2007, ACTIVE created the Venturepreneurs’ Organization, which promotes relationships between successful serial entrepreneurs investing in early stage companies. For more information visit http://active-vp.com