Shutl operates a web platform that connects retailers to local same-day courier companies to enable deliveries within minutes of purchase or inside a one-hour window selected by the shopper. The company says its fastest delivery is just under 15 minutes and that it makes a profit on every delivery. Over the past year Shutl has expanded across the UK and is preparing for a North American launch. Shutl plans to debut in the U.S. in Q1 2013, starting with New York and San Francisco, followed by a phase two roll‑out targeting multiple U.S. cities and Canadian markets including Montreal and Toronto. The startup first came on the scene in late 2009 and is led by founder and CEO Tom Allason. Recent fundraising is being used to bankroll the planned U.S. expansion. Shutl operates a platform that links retailers to local same-day courier companies, enabling customers to receive orders within as little as 90 minutes or within a one-hour window. The service is used by UK retailers including Argos, Aurora Fashions, B&Q Tradepoint, Karen Millen and Maplin and runs in over 60 towns across the UK. Shutl claims a world-record e-commerce delivery of 15 minutes, though that claim is not independently verified. The company plans to use new funding to expand its team, acquire retail partners and prepare a U.S. launch in early 2013; its CEO estimates the U.S. same-day market could be worth about $26bn by 2016. Founder and CEO Tom Allason previously founded and exited eCourier.co.uk. Shutl is positioned against large players like Amazon and eBay and startups such as Postmates. Shutl aggregates transportation carriers to offer rapid, short-window deliveries and has been piloting its service with UK retailer Argos. The company plans to use new funding to build a sales team, expand its platform and explore international markets. Founded in late 2008 and initially bootstrapped with £50,000 (matched by the team), Shutl completed subsequent financings in October 2009 and August 2010. It received £500,000 from a group led by Simon Murdoch and Big Bang Ventures in October 2009 and a £400,000 follow-on in August 2010. Operational traction includes average month-on-month sales growth of 89% in the first 12 months since first delivery (March 2010). The business is active in the UK market and positioning to scale commercially. Shutl is a stealth-mode UK startup led by founder and CEO Tom Allason that says it “promises to re-define e-commerce,” and the product appears tied to the courier/distribution space. The company is preparing an official launch later in the year; its website showed a countdown to December 31. Shutl has secured early-stage angel funding and is keeping operational details close to the vest while in stealth. Leadership additions include angel investor Simon Murdoch joining the board as non-executive chairman and Chris Öhlund as a non-executive director. Allason is a serial entrepreneur who previously founded eCourier.co.uk, which raised £8m from angels and a VC and which he left in 2008 with £7.5m in turnover and 250 staff. No operating metrics for Shutl itself were disclosed in the article.

Total raised

$7M

Funding rounds

4

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Oct 2012