AAA Benlai picks up $200m series D1

Benlai picks up $200m series D1

China-based groceries e-commerce group Benlai collected $200m in a series D1 round on Monday led by Mingde Holdings, the majority shareholder of logistics firm SF Express.

CDH Investments, Beishang Capital and Gaorong Capital also participated in the round.

Founded in 2012, Benlai sells fresh fruit and vegetables to consumers through its Benlai Life e-commerce platform. It also operates an online-to-offline offering called Benlai Fresh, retailer Benlaijishi and cold chain logistics service Vtepai.

The company has grown to more than 25 million customers across 550 cities.

Benlai will collaborate with SF Express to bolster its logistics and supply chain capabilities while the funding will go towards the further development of its online-to-offline and business-to-consumer services.

Benlai previously obtained $117m in combined series C and C-plus funding from kitchen appliance manufacturer Joyoung, China Urban Realty Association, ChinaEquity Group, CDH Investments and Integral Group in 2016.

Unspecified investors supplied provided tens of millions of dollars in 2015, according to China Money Network, after CDH, Banyan and China Consumer Capital had invested an undisclosed amount of series A funding the previous year.

Shareholders also include Dadi, Best Link Investment Holdings, Leap High, Future Bright Global, Green Shield Enterprises, Future Bright Global, Green Shield Enterprises and J&Z, according to a securities document.

By Thierry Heles

Thierry Heles is editor-at-large of Global University Venturing and Global Corporate Venturing, and host of the Beyond the Breakthrough podcast.

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