Amazon helps with Deliveroo funding round

Amazon is leading another funding round in international food-delivery startup Deliveroo.

The US online retailer and existing shareholders including T Rowe Price, Fidelity Management and Research Company, and Greenoaks will invest US$575 million in the company, taking the cumulative total raised to date to $1.53 billion.

“With this funding, Deliveroo will continue to build its world-class service – bringing customers the food they want whenever and wherever they want it, offering even more work for riders, and helping restaurants to grow their businesses by reaching new customers,” the company said in a statement.

The funds will be deployed to growing Deliveroo’s London-based engineering team, expanding Deliveroo’s delivery reach, innovations such as the company’s delivery-only super kitchens called Editions and the development of new products providing customers with a more personalized experience.

“This new investment will help Deliveroo to grow and to offer customers even more choice, tailored to their personal tastes, offer restaurants greater opportunities to grow and expand their businesses, and to create more flexible, well-paid work for riders,” said Will Shu, founder, and CEO of Deliveroo.

“Amazon has been an inspiration to me personally and to the company, and we look forward to working with such a customer-obsessed organization. This is great news for the tech and restaurant sectors, and it will help to create jobs in all of the countries in which we operate.”

Amazon UK country manager Doug Gurr said the company was impressed with Deliveroo’s approach and its innovation in delivery options.

“Will and his team have built an innovative technology and service, and we’re excited to see what they do next.”