Dolly announced the rapid close of the $8 million Series A funding on the heels of a successful initial $1.7 million seed round. The round also included participation from Jeff Wilke, senior vice president of consumer business at Amazon; series seed lead investors KGC Capital, and other angel investors.

The company is also announcing the official launch of its service in the Seattle metropolitan area, where the company is based, extending east to Bellevue, north to Lynnwood and south to Tacoma, making the app available to about 3.5 million new customers. Already working with such prestigious retailers as Crate & Barrel, Dolly plans to work with other major market segments and expand to nearly 20 metropolitan areas by the end of 2016.

In the near-year period since the founders launched Dolly, the company has experienced an explosion in demand. 'We've helped people move more than 30,000 items this year alone -- and our number one source of growth is word-of-mouth,' said Dolly CEO Mike Howell. 'We're creating a fundamentally new consumer experience that's delighting our customers so much they feel compelled to tell their friends about it. That's something we're incredibly proud of!'

Using Dolly
To use Dolly, customers download the app on their Android or iOS device, answer a few questions about what they're trying to move and get an up-front, guaranteed price -- all in just a matter of minutes. All of Dolly's 'Helpers' undergo a comprehensive seven-step vetting process, including background checks, insurance verification and training.

Customers conveniently set up a 30-minute pickup window, track the entire job via real-time GPS and communicate directly with their Helper via text or call at any time, giving them 100 percent certainty on the status of their Dolly. Once their Dolly is complete, all payment is made through the Dolly app.

'Michael Howell and his co-founders at Dolly are extraordinary entrepreneurs with the vision and execution ability to transform delivery from a pain point into a delightful consumer experience,' said Jason Stoffer, Maveron General Partner and Dolly Board member. 'Dolly already has created the best consumer experience that we've seen in the category, and it has one of the highest customer satisfaction scores (NPS) we have ever seen in a young company.'

Experienced in developing light, elegant technology solutions for complex applications, Dolly was founded by Michael Howell (co-founder of Wetpaint, acquired by Viggle), Chad Wittman, Jason Norris and Kelby Hawn (founders of EdgeRank Checker, acquired by Socialbakers).

'By blending the latest technology with incredible customer service, Dolly does a Judo flip on an otherwise antiquated $50 billion industry that's competed solely on price for years,' said Howell. 'Dolly makes moving anything easier -- whether that's a new couch, a load of plywood or your entire apartment -- as well as more convenient and more affordable.'

Dolly started in Chicago, developing strategic partnerships with significant retailers and world-class brands like Crate & Barrel that were looking to give their customers more delivery options.

'The Crate & Barrel customer is smart, modern and savvy. Crate & Barrel's partnership with Dolly marks our commitment to adopting innovations that bring our customers a better overall customer experience,' said Chris Kaye, vice president of supply chain at Crate & Barrel. 'Deploying Dolly has given our customers another great customer service option to deliver product to their homes safely.'

Dolly is developing similar alliances with other retailers as well as housing, storage and charitable donation-based organizations.

To learn more about Dolly, schedule your first Dolly or if you are interested in joining our team, please visit http://www.dolly.com.

For images of Dolly in action, screenshots, and graphics showing you all the ways you can use Dolly, click here.

About Dolly
Dolly is the peer-to-peer mobile app that eliminates the stress of moving, hauling and delivering. Within minutes, users can download the app, answer a few questions, get an upfront, guaranteed price and set up a 30-minute window for their move. Dollys are serviced by 'Helpers,' thoroughly reviewed and trained service contractors who use their own reliable pickup trucks, vans and large SUVs. Every move can be tracked in the app via GPS, and all transactions are 100% cashless. With headquarters in Seattle and expanding operations in Chicago and Seattle, Dolly makes moving, hauling and delivering almost anything seamless. For more information, visit http://www.dolly.com.

About Maveron
Maveron is a consumer-only venture capital firm founded in 1998 with offices in Seattle and San Francisco. Since its first investment in eBay, Maveron has invested in innovative consumer brands along the way, including zulily, Everlane, Julep, Shutterfly, Groupon, and most recently Dolly. For more information about Maveron, visit http://www.maveron.com.