Locad Expands to UAE and Saudi Arabia with $9M Funding

Locad, a leading provider of smart digital logistics solutions, has announced a successful $9 million Pre-Series B funding round. This innovative company empowers consumer brands with its Cloud Supply Chain-as-a-Service platform, designed to facilitate global distribution and streamline operations.

Key Investors Propel Locad Forward

The funding round was co-led by Global Ventures and returning investor Reefknot Investments. Additional contributors include Sumitomo Equity Ventures, Antler Elevate, Febe Ventures, and JG Summit. This strategic backing underscores investor confidence in Locad’s mission and growth potential.

Accelerating Expansion to the GCC

The fresh capital will drive Locad’s international expansion, with a focus on the UAE and Saudi Arabia by Q4 2024. This initiative aligns with the company’s ‘Grow Global, Go Local’ strategy, which aims to support brands entering new markets while enhancing Locad’s AI-powered smart logistics capabilities. By building a robust supply chain infrastructure, Locad is connecting brands to consumers in emerging markets through a global cloud logistics network.

A Seamless Cloud Supply Chain Solution

Locad’s cloud-based supply chain platform offers an integrated operating system for consumer brands, enabling smart digital logistics and omnichannel commerce. Brands can synchronize inventory across e-commerce and retail channels using Locad’s Control Tower platform, which provides real-time visibility, analytics, and AI-enhanced workflow automation.

Constantin Robertz, CEO and Co-Founder of Locad, said: “We are on a mission to enable smart digital logistics for consumer brands. Over the last four years, we have built a cloud supply chain platform in APAC that allows brands to unify their omnichannel distribution and access localized fulfilment in the growth markets of SEA and AU. We are now excited to take Locad global, opening our presence in the US and entering the GCC, to make it easier for brands to sell anywhere with a fully localized customer experience.

Noor Sweid, Founder and Managing Partner of Global Ventures, commented: “We are delighted to lead Locad’s funding round. Locad’s innovative engine is transforming how brands manage their supply chains and enabling faster, more efficient customer reach - aligning with our thesis on the need for decentralized and resilient supply chains to meet today’s consumer demands. Locad is a prime example of this shift – offering a localized, efficient solution that aligns with our vision for the future of supply chains.We are confident Locad is well-positioned to capitalize on opportunities in rapidly evolving markets like MENA, embodying the future of agile and sustainable logistics.”

Marc Dragon, Managing Director of Reefknot Investments, commented: “At Reefknot, we are excited to co-lead this oversubscribed funding round and deepen our commitment to Locad as they expand their global reach and impact. Since our Series A investment, Locad has demonstrated a strong ability to execute, scaling their asset-light fulfilment model across markets in Southeast Asia, Australia, and China, while continuously deepening their product capabilities with AI-driven features such as demand, inventory and carrier analytics & optimization. We are confident that Locad’s global expansion, combined with their dedication to product, technology, and service quality and innovation, will create exceptional value for brands aiming to grow overseas and elevate their respective customer experience.”

Shrey Jain, Co-Founder and CTO of Locad, commented: “By integrating smart digital logistics with AI-driven insights, we empower brands to optimize their supply chains—placing inventory closer to demand, reducing delivery times, and enhancing customer satisfaction. This fundraising allows us to double down on building a robust, tech-enabled logistics ecosystem that drives efficiency and helps brands thrive in an increasingly dynamic commerce landscape."

Jannis Dargel, Co-Founder and COO of Locad, commented: “For brands, unifying inventory across sales channels in e-commerce and retail leads to higher revenue and faster sell-through; and localized fulfilment and delivery allows brands to increase conversion rates and improve customer experience.”

Scaling Success Since Series A

Following its Series A round in 2023, Locad has expanded its reach, supporting over 300 consumer brands across Southeast Asia and Australia. Its platform seamlessly integrates with leading e-commerce marketplaces, including Shopify, Shopee, Amazon, and TikTok. This connectivity allows brands to optimize inventory management and delivery across multiple sales channels, enhancing both operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Targeting GCC and USA Markets

Locad’s global expansion into the GCC and USA opens up new opportunities for brands to grow their presence. By leveraging localized warehouses and an AI-driven logistics engine, the company reduces delivery times and costs. This approach ensures consumer brands benefit from faster, more reliable delivery options, boosting customer satisfaction and enabling smoother market entries.

Empowering Brands to Scale

Locad’s innovative logistics platform provides brands with a unified software and physical network for managing omnichannel commerce. With enhanced inventory and delivery capabilities, brands can scale effortlessly across multiple markets while maintaining exceptional customer experiences. Locad is rapidly becoming the go-to logistics partner for businesses looking to thrive in today’s dynamic global marketplace.