SoftBank Vision Fund 2

Ethnic online grocer Weee! lands $425M in funding

The growth of online grocery shopping is fueling another trend across the U.S. – ethnic grocers. It is estimated that the ethnic supermarket market in the nation is now $49 billion, with the majority of that still local mom-and-pop community markets. Meanwhile, online grocery is estimated to reach $135.2 billion this year and grow to $187.7 billion by 2024.

Freemont, California-based Weee! is hoping to tap into this burgeoning market and now has $425 million in additional funding to help scale....

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ethnic-online-grocer-weee-lands-424m-in-funding

Platform Science raises $115M, SoftBank director joins board

Connected vehicle solution Platform Science announced Thursday it has closed on $115 million in series C funding led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2 with participation from new investor Chimera and existing investors including 8VC, Daimler, Prologis, NextPlay and Four More Capital.

The company has raised $194.47 million since 2017 for its platform that helps commercial vehicles better manage and deploy applications including electronic logging devices, messaging programs and other workflow solutions....

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/platform-science-raises-115m-softbank-director-joins-board

Shared truckload provider Flock Freight reaches unicorn status with Series D

Digital logistics provider Flock Freight announced Wednesday that it has raised $215 million in Series D financing led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2 with participation from new investors Susquehanna Private Equity Investments LLLP and Eden Global Partners and its existing investors, SignalFire, GLP Capital Partners and GV, formerly Google Ventures.

The company’s last raise took place in November for $113.5 million, valuing the company at $463.5 million.

Almost a year later, with 325% year-to-date...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/shared-truckload-provider-flock-freight-reaches-unicorn-status-with-series-d

Forto secures Series C and unicorn status, credits partnerships and culture

Berlin-based Forto, a digital freight forwarder also known as FreightHub, announced Monday it has secured $240 million in a Series C round led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2. Past investors Northzone, Iven Capital, Cherry Ventures and Unbound and newest investors Citi Ventures and G Squared also participated in the round.

The company has raised a total of $360 million since 2016 and, after its latest raise, is valued at $1.2 billion.

In a recent blog by the company’s co-founder, Fabian Heilemann, he...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/forto-secures-series-c-and-unicorn-status-credits-partnerships-and-culture