Sergio Villasenor, founder of San Francisco-based Elliot did not set out to build just another e-commerce platform. Villasenor wanted to provide retail brands with an easy-to-use software that allows them to easily connect and sell anything, everywhere. Elliot does just that.

Today, retailers leverage an abundance of systems to sell both domestically and internationally; online and offline. Villasenor adds, "Retailers now have the ability to sell into new markets and connect with billions of new consumers. But, one major problem existed. There wasn't a single technology solution, out-of-the-box, that allowed brands to rapidly scale their business globally, online and offline."

Elliot allows brands to easily connect existing systems, tap into any sales channels, and enable global distribution faster than ever. Ryan Petersen, Flexport's CEO stated, "Elliot's technology brings down barriers to cross-border commerce, enabling brands to reach billions of consumers outside their home markets."

Charlie Cole, Chief Digital Officer at Tumi and Elliot Advisory Board member, added, "There are very few things in e-commerce that everyone can agree on, but these two are undeniable: 1. Online platforms continue to grow in importance for retailers. 2. The international consumer is becoming more intelligent and is border-less in their online shopping. Elliot helps retailers navigate and solve for these shifts in the marketplace to help brands, regardless of size, reach their full market potential."

In October, Villasenor went on the offensive, proactively recruiting investors and top talent from Madison Avenue to Silicon Valley to propel the company forward.

We have orchestrated a blue-chip syndicate of seed stage investors including Bowery Capital, a national seed stage fund with offices in SF and NY leading the round, and Susa Ventures as the co-lead. Others participating include Acceleprise, Bam Ventures, Flexport, and SV Angel.

In addition to Elliot's fund raise, the company has assembled an "A-team" of industry experts including: Lea Solimine as Head of Marketing (formerly Head of Marketing at Lyft and Global Brand Director at Unilever), Joey Spanjers as Head of Growth (former Head of Partnerships at Hawke Media and Director of New Business Development at Onestop Internet), Hass Johnson as Head of Revenue (formerly Head of Client Development at Newgistics and VP of Sales at Shopgate), and Jessica Walters as Head of Program Management (formerly operating in a similar capacity at Fox Commerce, a portfolio company of Susa Ventures).