B2B SaaS
Q3 202415.07.2024

Retail & ecommerce (Q3 2024)

Picture of Federico Scolari

Federico Scolari

at Sifted

The mandate is to sell, but not just more: better. When they’re not simply selling their own inventory, e-commerce startups play somewhere in between sell-side and buy-side optimisation, most times in both, with one common aim in mind — making life equally easier for both. That’s not as straightforward as it seems.

The e-commerce landscape changed skin with the pandemic like no other sector, and it’s now beginning to stabilise after a few frothy years. While most basics have been figured out, core issues are shifting to both differentiation — that’s to say omnichannel solutions — and competitive advantage — including the now widespread integration of AI tools for dozens of applications.

From data analytics and conversational tools to customer acquisition platforms and loyalty programmes, e-commerce startups are called to navigate a difficult but recovering funding environment — only 91 e-commerce deals were closed in H1 2024 according to Sifted’s deal tracker, amounting to just under €530m.

20 startups to watch

  • REVER logo

    Sifted score

    8.66
    -

    REVER

    Streamlined returns for e-commerce businesses.

    • Strong investor(s)
    • Serial founder(s)
    • Hiring
    • Year founded

      2022

    • HQ

      Barcelona, Spain

    • Latest round

      Seed
      €7.5m / Jun 2023

    • Total funding

      €8.4m

  • Relay Technologies logo

    Sifted score

    8.38
    -

    Relay Technologies

    Efficient and sustainable e-commerce delivery.

    • Strong investor(s)
    • Serial founder(s)
    • Year founded

      2022

    • HQ

      London, United Kingdom

    • Latest round

      Seed
      €9.1m / Nov 2023

    • Total funding

      €9.1m

  • Medusa logo

    Sifted score

    7.92
    -

    Medusa

    Competitor price tracking for retailers.

    • Strong investor(s)
    • Year founded

      2021

    • HQ

      Copenhagen, Denmark

    • Latest round

      Seed
      €8.0m / Jul 2022

    • Total funding

      €8.8m

  • Shop Circle logo

    Sifted score

    7.75
    -

    Shop Circle

    • Strong investor(s)
    • Year founded

      2021

    • HQ

      London, United Kingdom

    • Latest round

      Series A
      €109.1m / Sep 2023

    • Total funding

      €127.0m

  • More Growth logo

    Sifted score

    7.67
    -

    More Growth

    Reliable content on important life topics.

    • Strong investor(s)
    • Serial founder(s)
    • Year founded

      2021

    • HQ

      Warsaw, Poland

    • Latest round

      Seed
      €4.5m / Jul 2022

    • Total funding

      €4.5m

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