Kiwi Last Mile is a logistics supplier in Barcelona that has designed a new distribution system it calls the “cellular model” which allows for last-mile deliveries to be made in time slots in a profitable and sustainable manner. The founders, David Costa, Alex Tortras and Christian Costa, got the project off the ground in 2017 when they discovered that 40% of pollution in Barcelona is caused by last-mile distribution, which has grown exponentially in recent years.
With the aim of putting an end to half empty vans and at the same time reducing their environmental impact, they decided to optimise last-mile distribution by offering a home delivery service to large e-commerce and distribution companies with their own distribution fleet. This way, the startup reduces environmental impact by offering a home delivery service through its own delivery fleet.
This innovative model consists of using a van as mobile storage and various electric motorcycles for delivery. The van reaches the delivery point and the rider delivers the product by hand meaning that there is no need for the van to look for a parking space and they can continue on their route without losing time, guaranteeing a 98% success in deliveries and reducing last-mile emissions by 50%. What’s more, if there’s a packet small enough to be carried by motorcycle, the van simply acts as a mobile storage unit.
The founders needed an initial investment of 100 thousand euros, which they raised from the so-called three Fs: family, friends and fools. Thanks to that, they were able to raise the first round of financing for 700,000. As Kiwi only operates in Catalonia and mainly in the city of Barcelona, in the short term they intent to expand to Madrid in the coming months and add more supermarkets to their portfolio nationwide.