Venture Capital News: Hello Alfred Nabs $40M Series B
2018-05-31
NEW YORK, NY, Hello Alfred, a service technology company building the first in-home assistant service, today announced the close of a $40 million Series B funding round.
The new investment was led by a syndicate of strategic partners including leading real estate developers Divco West and Invesco. Early investors, including New Enterprise Associates (NEA) and Spark Capital, also participated in the round. The investment follows Alfred's national 20,000 unit rollout into 8 cities earlier this year.
Hello Alfred operates at the intersection of the $3.5 trillion dollar real estate market and $460 billion 2018 Ecommerce market, partnering with residential developers to provide an in-home, assisted commerce experience for busy urban dwellers.
The standard Alfred resident enjoys a dedicated assistant to manage weekly shopping and errands and the convenience of no-fee, trusted, in-home delivery. Alfred's technology enables personalized ordering through its mobile app and automatic restocking of recurring groceries, home durables, clean clothing, and products in a 'zero-click' commerce experience. By blending proprietary logistics technology, data science, and a team of trained, in-home hospitality professionals, the company offers a level of personal service and anticipation well above what digital assistants and voice devices can provide.
Unlike other service companies that rely on freelance contractors or third party delivery, Hello Alfred's "Alfred Home Managers" are W-2 employees who go through a rigorous vetting and hospitality training process and are provided with competitive salaries, benefits and job advancement.
"Hello Alfred has always been about creating a better world - a better home, a better work environment and a better life," said Marcela Sapone, Co-Founder and CEO of Hello Alfred. "By focusing on earning the trust of our clients and employees, Alfred has built the first inside-the-home experience that provides our clients the basics they need on a weekly basis and our Alfred Home Managers a rewarding opportunity to be a part of people's lives."
In addition to working with the nation's top developers like Related Rentals, RXR, Hines, and Jamestown, Hello Alfred has developed a deep network of partnerships with local brands and retailers. Its Marketplace Platform curates favorite brands from big retailers and nearby stores and local services to support neighborhood commerce, giving businesses and brands access to automatic, recurring, household spend.
"When we first met Marcela and Jess in 2014, their vision to re-imagine the retail landscape through inside-the-home services and commerce was revolutionary," said Bijan Sabet, Managing Partner at Spark Capital. "They have created a new category by earning the trust of consumers and simplifying the way they buy and get things done every week."
Hello Alfred currently operates in New York, New Jersey, Stamford, Conn., Boston, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago, and planning launches in Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Miami, Portland, Raleigh and San Jose . By the end of 2018, Alfred will be available in over 100,000 homes.
The company has reported a track record of sustainable, profitable operations for several years. The new funding will accelerate the growth of the company's national footprint and allow further investment in technology, data science, and the Alfred Home Essentials private label line of home goods and products, including sheets, candles, dish soap and other everyday items.
Hello Alfred will double its headcount within the calendar year. If you're interested in learning more please reach out to press@helloalfred.com or go to www.helloalfred.com .
About Hello Alfred
Recently named one of the "50 Most Innovative Companies in the World " by Fast Company magazine, Hello Alfred is a hospitality and technology platform focused on evolving the most important space in people's lives: the home. The platform combines building management software with highly trained "Alfred" Home Managers to manage and curate an extensive suite of services that give retail brands of all sizes privileged access to build lasting relationships with consumers. The founders of Hello Alfred have been recognized in The New York Times, The Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, Monocle and Fast Company, among other publications, as thought leaders in the on-demand economy, following their decision to hire Alfred Home Managers as W-2 employees (complete with benefits, training, and the ability to move up in the organization) over 1099 contractors and its support of local ecosystems and small and medium sized businesses.
About Spark Capital:
Spark Capital is a venture capital firm that invests in startups led by creative thinkers. With a consumer tech focus, Spark Capital and partner, Bijan Sabet, were early investors in Twitter and Tumblr. Spark Capital was founded ten years ago. In total they manage five funds with $3 billion under management with offices in SoMA in San Francisco, Astor Place in New York City, and Boston. For more information, please visit www.sparkcapital.com.
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