Posted April 27, 2021
While more companies weigh the pros and cons of coworking coming out of the pandemic, Atlanta-based Saltbox sees a growing need for flexible co-warehousing options.
“We have seen the pandemic accelerate the shift towards e-commerce in our own space, as many of our members have seen increased sales over the past year. Many were not expecting such a jump in sales and have worked resiliently to manage sourcing and other logistical challenges that came along with the pandemic’s effects on global supply chains,” Saltbox CEO and Co-founder Tyler Scriven told Hypepotamus.
Startups and small businesses working with physical goods use Saltbox not only as a flexible office space but also as a place for storing and fulfilling orders.
E-commerce growth no doubt helped Saltbox close its $10.6 million Series A round, led by Palo Alto-based Playground Global.
San Francisco-based XYZ Venture Capital and Los Angeles-based Wilshire Lane Partners also joined the round.
Saltbox CEO and Co-founder Tyler Scriven
“Playground Global has a proven track record of investing in innovative early-stage technology companies, including a focus on the logistics space,” added Scriven. “Laurie Yoler and her team recognized the power that logistical enablement offers e-commerce merchants looking to scale, and really understood the value in the combination of purpose-built co-warehousing, flexible workspaces, and a range of integrated logistical solutions.”
Other e-commerce and supply chain-focused companies in Playground’s portfolio include Pandion and Fabric.
“The rise of e-commerce has allowed millions of small businesses to flourish, but fulfilling orders out of garages and self-storage units is inconvenient, uncomfortable, and not conducive to growing a team,” said Laurie Yoler, General Partner at Playground Global. “Saltbox provides a purpose-built alternative for the entrepreneurs of tomorrow, with additional services to help small businesses scale.”