SEP has led a €26 million funding
round for Kiala, an innovative Pan-European
delivery solutions business led by Denis
Payre, one of Europe’s most successful
technology entrepreneurs.
Payre is co-founder and President of Brussels-headquartered
Kiala, which allows people to pick up parcels
when and where it suits them from more
than 4,700 dedicated Kiala points across
Europe including newsagents, dry cleaners
and petrol stations.
Payre was co-founder and Chief Operating
Officer of Business Objects, the first
European software company to float on NASDAQ
which he grew into a world leader in business
intelligence software. He plans to build
Kiala into a global leader in delivery
solutions.
Kiala, which was founded in 2001, has
built a unique technology platform incorporating
a tracking system, delivery network, and
scanners and hand-held personal digital
assistants at every Kiala point, allowing
customers to track their parcel and receive
an alert via text, call or email when it
arrives.
The company handles more than 10 million
parcels a year and operates in Belgium,
France, Netherlands, Luxembourg and Austria.
It has run successful trials in the UK
and Germany and will use the new funds
to expand in these countries and move into
Spain and Russia.
SEP was joined in the €26 million
funding round by other investors including
funds related to La Post and TPG (TNT Post
Group).
Kiala has more than 150 major international
retail partners including Bertelsmann,
Karstad Quelle Neckermann, Pinault Printemps
Redoute, Yves Rocher, and Next Directory
which has participated in trials in the
UK.
SEP’s Andrew Davison said: “Kiala
is an exciting investment opportunity.
Denis Payre is one Europe’s most
experienced technology entrepreneurs and
he heads a first class team with a track
record in delivering on ambitious growth
strategy. We believe Kiala can become the
number one solutions partner in Europe
for getting goods to customers when and
where they need them.”
Kiala is also using its points network
for spare parts deliveries, particularly
for time-critical items such as electronics
parts for field engineers. The company
already provides logistics solutions to
leading players including IBM, HP, Nokia
and Unisys for spare parts and the return
of defective items.
