Parcel delivery in the UK has long been a source of frustration. Missed drop-offs, vague tracking updates, and outdated logistics have made receiving an online order feel more like a gamble than a guarantee.
Now, a London-based startup called HIVED believes it has the solution and it just secured $42 million in Series B funding to prove it.
HIVED is positioning itself as a modern answer to an old problem. It is the UK’s first all-electric, AI-powered parcel delivery service, built specifically for the e-commerce age. While many traditional logistics firms attempt to modernise by layering new tech onto old infrastructure, HIVED took a different route: it started from scratch.
At the core of its operation is a proprietary system called HIVEDmind, which uses real-time data, AI, and smart routing algorithms to connect retailers, drivers, warehouses, and customers within one integrated platform.
The entire delivery network runs on electric vehicles, making it not just efficient, but environmentally friendly too.
Unlike conventional systems that rely on static postcodes, HIVED uses dynamic delivery zones that shift in real time depending on parcel volume and demand. This flexibility allows for faster, more efficient deliveries, and fewer “Sorry we missed you” notes.
Retailers benefit from live dashboards that track deliveries, complete with geo-tagged delivery photos and alerts for suspicious activity. Customers can follow their parcels from the depot to their door, with full visibility at every step. It’s not just about convenience, it’s about control.
What truly sets HIVED apart is its attention to detail. The system knows how long deliveries take in different neighbourhoods, which buildings are difficult to access, and where delays are likely to happen.
These insights help the company solve one of logistics’ toughest challenges: the final metres between the van and the doorstep.
The company’s success isn’t just theoretical. HIVED is currently the highest-rated parcel delivery service in the UK on Trustpilot. Some customers even prefer shopping with retailers who offer HIVED delivery, giving partner brands a competitive advantage in a crowded market.
The recent funding round was led by NordicNinja, an investor with a history of backing logistics disruptors like Bolt and Einride. Other participants include Wex Venture Capital, Planet A, Yamato Holdings, and Future Back Ventures, backed by Bain & Co.
This new capital will support HIVED’s expansion into more UK cities, allow the company to grow its team, and further develop its technology.
In the words of HIVED’s co-founder and CEO, Murvah Iqbal:
“Parcel delivery should feel seamless, not stressful… we’ve rethought everything from first principles.”
It’s a bold promise. And while early signs are promising, the real test will be whether HIVED can scale this model, and maintain quality, as it grows. For now, though, it’s a rare moment in logistics: a delivery company people actually seem excited about.
