US-based Shippo used this pitch deck to raise seed money from 500 Startups

ABOUT

Shippo is an ecommerce platform that provides retailers with tools to  streamline their shipping process. The service lets merchants print labels, automate fulfillment workflows, track packages, and handle returns, among others.

The California-based firm bridges the gap between businesses and their customers by teaming up with ecommerce platforms to streamline the fulfillment process.

Co-founded by Laura Behrens Wu and Simon Kreuz in 2013, it places itself within the middle-upper tier of software-as-a-service firms. It charges for access to its shipping software and its service generates gross margins of 80%.

Shippo has partnered with over 50 global carriers, including logistics giants such as DHL, FedEx, and UPS.

The startup used this pitch deck to obtain initial funding from 500 Startups.

Fundraising journey

• 2014: US$2 million in seed funding from Version One Ventures, SoftTech VC, 500 Startups, Accelerate FC, FundersClub, East Ventures, Mena Ventures Investment, DBF Digital Business Factory, Slow Ventures, and a few angel investors.
• 2016: US$7 million in series A funding, led by Union Square Ventures and participated by SoftTech VC, Version One Ventures, and other seed investors.
• 2017: US$17 million in series B funding, led by Bessemer Venture Partners with participation from Union Square Ventures and SoftTech VC, among others.
• 2020: US$30 million in series C funding, led by D1 Capital Partners with participation from Uncork Capital (formerly SoftTech VC), Union Square Ventures, and Bessemer Venture Partners.

How is the deck compelling?

• It is simple and concise, fit for a startup that is raising funds for the first time.
• It clearly illustrates key figures that mark Shippo’s growth, including its run rate, profit margin, and number of packages delivered.
• The startup’s shipping process is compared to those of other platforms, with Shippo explaining how its service is simpler than the rest.

SOURCE

Deck: Starthouse