Fiege's company builder Xpress Ventures invests in the online marketplace Homeride

Xpress Ventures, the company builder of logistics service provider Fiege, is investing in the retail tech start-up Homeride. The technology enables cross-shop shopping including same-day delivery in a constantly growing network of retail partners.

Greven/Berlin, 9 March 2023 - Xpress Ventures, the company builder of logistics service provider Fiege, has led a successful pre-seed financing round for the retail tech start-up Homeride. The Cologne-based start-up is developing a technology that enables bundled online shopping at various retailers for the first time thanks to a comprehensive goods infrastructure. Orders are delivered on the same day in the desired time window via an agile network of various last-mile service providers. Homeride exclusively utilises existing warehouse and delivery structures, making it an economically and ecologically sustainable sales platform for both well-known chains and local brands.

Hendrik Lallensack, Co-Founder and COO of Homeride, explains: "Our aim is to make the city centre available online. However, many retailers lack the necessary product and online reach. That's why we are bundling various players on our platform to create a digital shopping experience and offer a progressive solution in the current transformation phase. With our investors around Xpress Ventures and the support of the Fiege Group, we have found the right partners for further development."

Matthias Friese, Managing Partner at Xpress Ventures, says about the financing: "On-demand is now defining retail. We see the potential in Homeride's team and technology to take the delivery economy one step further. We are delighted to be able to support the technological and operational development in the future. Thanks to our experienced venture team and access to the expertise and customer base of the Fiege Group, we can offer Homeride significant added value on this journey."

Homeride currently has over 30 partner retailers connected, including Mediamarkt-Saturn, Butlers, Super-Bio-Markt and Toom. The software displays prices, availability and promotions of the connected companies in real time and enables a user-friendly shopping experience thanks to intelligent search algorithms. Homeride customers can access an inventory of over one million items and bundle completely different product categories in one shopping basket. The app can currently be used in the Cologne area, but will be rolled out in other metropolitan regions over the course of the year - and a Click&Collect option is also planned.

Picture line:
Delighted with the pre-seed financing round led by Xpress Ventures (from left to right) : Michael Müller, Hendrik Lallensack and Mirco Meyer, founders of the RetailTech start-up Homeride. (Photo: Homeride)

About Fiege:

The Fiege Group, headquartered in Greven, Westphalia, is one of the most innovative logistics providers in Europe. With over 23,000 employees at 133 locations in 16 countries, Fiege operates internationally - from the core markets in Europe to Asia. Fiege is a family-owned company in its fifth generation and is considered a pioneer in contract logistics. Modular solutions in the areas of logistics, digital services, real estate and ventures form the core of its business activities. in 2021, the Fiege Group generated a turnover of 1.8 billion euros and has more than four million square metres of logistics space.

Fiege press contact:
Tobias Jöhren
Press spokesperson
Joan-Joseph-Fiege-Straße 1
48268 Greven
Phone: +49 2571 999 413
Email: tobias.joehren@fiege.com