Urbeez raises 2.5 million euros to develop 100% electric delivery
Urbeez raises 2.5 million euros to develop 100% electric delivery Brussels, December 18, 2020 - The Brussels-based startup has just raised 2.5 million euros from investors specialized in logistics to deploy its electric delivery vehicles throughout Belgium.
Founded in October 2020, Urbeez is revolutionizing delivery in metropolises with a 100% electric fleet. From cargo bikes to vans, including scooters, all utility vehicles run on electricity. Urbeez is a game-changer in a rapidly growing field, thanks in large part to the explosion of e-commerce and the closure of physical stores due to the health crisis. The company currently has 80% cargo bikes and 20% 3 or 4-wheeled vehicles for its downtown deliveries, covering all 19 municipalities of Brussels from Monday to Saturday. This fleet allows Urbeez to deliver at any time of the day, with precision to within fifteen minutes of the estimated arrival time, and with a delivery success rate of 99%. For the recharging of its vehicles, Urbeez relies on the network of electric charging stations currently being developed in city centers and a logistics base operating on green energy in the northern outskirts of Brussels.
Urbeez offers a solution for businesses of all sizes
The company already works with major retail players such as IKEA, Colruyt, as well as Brussels-based initiatives like Brussels’ Kitchen. Thanks to Urbeez, businesses opt for responsible delivery and can now reduce their CO2 footprint by using faster and less polluting means of transportation than traditional vehicles. Additionally, eco-friendly e-cargo delivery solutions have a real impact on air quality, congestion in large cities, and promote a decrease in fossil fuel consumption.
A fundraising that promises bright prospects
In the first quarter of 2021, the startup will be present in other Belgian cities, thanks in part to this funding which strengthens its development across the entire territory. This rapid expansion is made possible through strategic partnerships, particularly with Indigo Group, providing space within parking facilities to create urban warehouses. Urbeez can also rely on an IT solution for Track&Trace provided by the startup Urbantz. This is a win-win solution: for the seller, proof of delivery, and for the buyer, real-time tracking of their parcel from pickup by the courier.
About the founder
After an experience at Tier Mobility in Brussels, the leading self-service scooter company in Europe, and having managed its operations in Southern Europe (France, Spain, Italy, ...), Angelino Capretti realized that it was impossible to find logistics companies operating exclusively with 100% electric vehicles. As a result, he decided to develop the service internally, and it was at this moment that he recognized the opportunities in the electric delivery market. Today, more and more companies require green logistics (tenders, to meet ISO standards...), not to mention municipalities that want to promote the development of sustainable last-mile logistics.
With Urbeez, we aim to restore nobility to logistics by electrifying the entire network and improving the services of a sector under pressure," declares Angelino Capretti, founder of Urbeez