OnBuy raises £35M in impressive Series A+ funding round
UK-based platform OnBuy.com sets its sights on unicorn status following successful raise

Today, UK-based online marketplace OnBuy.com has announced the closing of £35 million in series A+ funding through VC and strategic technology investors. 

Since its inception in 2016, OnBuy has existed to disrupt the status quo around eCommerce, taking on the industry giants that currently dominate the market. With its ‘level playing field’ offering, OnBuy has attracted more than 7,000 retailers, hosting over 36 million products on the platform. Built on a foundation of trust and transparency, the Bournemouth-based company vows never to compete with its retailers, simply offering a fairer marketplace to host well-known brands both big and small, and high-quality products at great prices.

In just four explosive years, OnBuy has grown to £155M annualised GMV with only £8M in total investment until now. The new investment of £35M, which will be a mix of debt and equity, will fuel further meteoric growth for OnBuy, with sights firmly set on reaching unicorn status in the coming years. Significant input comes from players including Bring Ventures, Norway Post venture arm, Fuel Ventures, Guy Hands (founder and chairman of Terra Firma Capital Partners), Knut Frängsmyr (Deputy CEO of Klarna) and Richard Goulding (founder of Play.com) amongst other strategic investors. In addition to external investment, a fully funded £2M allocation was set aside for existing retailers currently using the platform. This funding will enable OnBuy to further develop its product offering for both sellers and consumers and importantly, pursue global expansion.

Prior to this investment round, OnBuy raised £5m in funding led by Fuel Ventures following an exceptional period of growth through the first half of 2020. This investment allowed OnBuy to expand its leadership team and enter a fruitful phase of development and further growth. 

Cas Paton, founder and CEO of OnBuy, comments,

“The global eCommerce market is expected to total $4.2 trillion* by the end of 2021, a figure that is set to grow even more over the next few years, however it’s alarming to see that the industry is still following the same detrimental and unfair marketplace model that has existed for years. I created OnBuy to provide something unique: a clear, level playing field – and in our 4 years of rapid growth, it’s clear to see that this is a model that works to everyone’s advantage.

“This investment will allow us to unlock even more potential and take OnBuy to the next level with an even better, easier to use product than ever before. We’ve made it this far with the help of our early angels, amazing team, trusted retailers and of course all of our amazing customers, but we’re not nearly done yet. We’re here to make noise, challenge the status quo and change the digital marketplace landscape forever.”

Thomas Tscherning, Bring Ventures, EVP Norway Post comments,

“OnBuy has experienced tremendous growth and we believe the company has a very promising future ahead. We look forward to being a part of OnBuy’s continued growth through this venture investment that we believe will strengthen our portfolio of e-commerce activities.”

Knut Frängsmyr comments,

“Having watched OnBuy for some time, I've continuously been impressed and inspired by how they put their customers first – buyers and sellers. In an ever-changing landscape, sometimes simplicity and fairness will prevail. The growth opportunities ahead for OnBuy and the team are tremendous, and I am thrilled to be invited to join this journey.”

With the closing of this fundraise, OnBuy look forward to progressing with a roadmap of announcements in the coming 12-24 months which will include the development of a consumer app, improvements to the product infrastructure, the launch of new partnerships as well as further news of global expansion.

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NOTES TO EDITORS
Media Enquiries:
Camilla Allpress | PR Manager | [email protected] | +44 7428 767612

About OnBuy
Founded in the UK in 2016 by Cas Paton, OnBuy has a simple vision: to be the best choice for every customer, everywhere. The brand has established itself in the eCommerce sector as a pure online marketplace that doesn’t compete with retailers. This fair and transparent approach provides an exceptional experience for buyers by levelling the playing field for sellers. 

Offering 36 million products, OnBuy gives thousands of verified online retailers the platform to provide competitive prices and exceptional value to customers. From household names to independent sellers, buyers can shop securely for products from a wide range of categories, such as electricals, beauty, home and garden, toys, and baby supplies. Trusted by millions of consumers and world leading brands, OnBuy’s mission is clear; it doesn’t compete, it partners with retailers. By understanding customers, OnBuy continues to deliver the shopping experience that they want again and again.
www.onbuy.com
LinkedIn – OnBuy.com
Instagram – @onbuy_gb
Facebook – @OnBuyGB
Twitter – @OnBuy
Source
* https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanverdon/2021/04/27/global-ecommerce-sales-to-hit-42-trillion-
as-online-surge-continues-adobe-reports/?sh=14b416dc50fd