DKSH acquires 20% of Southeast Asia-focused aCommerce

ACommerce was launched in 2013 with backing from Ardent Labs, which operates much like a VC accelerator. It seeks to address scaling problems in e-commerce by providing end-to-end solutions in areas such as channel management, performance marketing, content production, customer service, platform design, e-fulfillment, and B2C delivery and logistics.

The company has more than 850 employees based in offices and distribution centers in Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and Singapore.

Acommerce received $10.7 million in Series A funding in June 2014 from investors including Ardent Capital, Indonesian conglomerate Sinarmas and Inspire Ventures. The company's existing backers provided a further $5 million in May of this year, which was described at the time as preparation for a larger Series B round in the second half of 2015.

DKSH sees the investment as a means of strengthening its omni-channel approach by selling clients products through online and offline channels. The company, which is listed in Switzerland, has 750 business locations in 35 countries, including 720 in Asia, and 27,600 staff. It generated net sales of CHF9.8 billion ($9.9 billion) in 2014.

"There is an untapped growth potential for clients moving online whether on marketplaces, their own retail sites, social platforms or mobile apps," Paul Srivorakul, CEO of aCommerce, said in a statement. "DKSH's infrastructure network of 165 distribution centers, its strong sales and marketing expertise as well as long-term relationships with leading clients are a massive boost for aCommerce. We can now offer complete, yet complementary services for all B2B and B2C relationships."

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• Topics
• Expansion
• Venture
• Southeast Asia
• Technology
• Growth capital
• TMT
• Logistics
• Southeast Asia
• Venture