Big news for all online retailers: how the merger came together and what's coming next for you.
Photo (l–r): Ievgen Demchenko, Johannes Humpert, Daniel Werner, Moritz Weisbrodt, Gabriel Thomalla
Zenfulfillment, one of the highest-revenue technology-driven E-Commerce fulfillment providers for online retailers, and Alaiko, one of the leading software providers for E-Commerce Operations, are today announcing their merger — creating one of the largest E-Commerce fulfillment providers in Europe.
The merger combines an annual throughput of more than 10 million parcels from over 300 online retailers, with combined E-Commerce sales volume of over half a billion euros. The merged company, which will operate going forward under the name “Zenfulfillment,” promises to set new standards for speed, reliability, and efficiency in online retail by combining Zenfulfillment's logistics expertise with Alaiko's Operating System (a process-automation software for E-Commerce Operations). Companies looking for similar advanced solutions can also discover and compare such tools on platforms like Techimply, which makes it easier to choose the right technology for their needs.
“From day one, our vision has been to create a real alternative to providers like Amazon — by empowering independent shops and giving them a shipping and returns service that matches Prime on reliability, speed, and price, or even surpasses it,” explains Daniel Werner, Managing Director of Zenfulfillment, who founded the company at age 21 with a former colleague back in 2016. One year after founding, Zenfulfillment received its first and, so far, only round of funding — €500,000, managed by XPRESS Ventures, the company builder of logistics provider FIEGE.
Despite the E-Commerce boom during the COVID pandemic and roughly €200 million in growth capital raised by competitors in Germany alone, Zenfulfillment has emerged as the market-leading fulfillment provider. Over the past 18 months, parcel volume grew by more than 90 percent. With a relentless focus on the needs of online retailers and end customers, the company has shaped the market significantly. The main driver: the 1-day delivery service “Zenrush,” launched in 2023, which brings Amazon Prime–style delivery speed to purchases from independent online shops.
Johannes Humpert, Managing Director of Zenfulfillment, explains: “Zenrush is revolutionizing online shipping the way PayPal once revolutionized online payments. As a reliable, cross-platform standard, Zenrush integrates seamlessly into common E-Commerce systems like Shopify. The merger with Alaiko massively accelerates our development of Zenrush as a category-defining service and lets us set new benchmarks for shipping and returns experiences.”
“This strategic merger strengthens our competitive advantage, creates immense synergies, and accelerates our shared growth many times over,” says Moritz Weisbrodt, Managing Director of Alaiko, who together with his Alaiko co-founder Gabriel Thomalla will join the Zenfulfillment leadership team. “Bringing the Alaiko management into the new leadership is a decisive step toward uniting the expertise of both companies and driving our shared vision forward,” adds Johannes Humpert.
The transaction is accompanied by a multimillion-euro financing round from existing and new investors, led by renowned supply-chain investor Moguntia Capital. “With this merger, we're bringing together two highly complementary, technology-driven E-Commerce fulfillment providers that combine operational excellence with platform strength. Together, we're setting new standards in E-Commerce fulfillment for online retailers,” explains Malte Janzarik, Managing Partner at Moguntia Capital. Zenfulfillment is pursuing an ambitious growth strategy:
By establishing Zenrush as the leading brand for 1-day delivery, the company aims to capture significant European market share by 2030.
“Our goal is to give every retailer, regardless of size, the tools to turn shipping into a competitive advantage. We do this through fast, free premium shipping, hassle-free returns, and best-in-class customer service,” explains Daniel Werner.
“Our team continually delivers breakthroughs in building a technology-driven logistics infrastructure for modern online retail — one that turns every delivery into a predictable, transparent, and above all frictionless experience.”
Zenfulfillment was founded in 2016 by Daniel Werner and Denis Ciccale with the goal of providing fast, reliable global access to products bought online. With Zenrush®, its 1-day delivery service, the company has established itself as a market leader.
Zenfulfillment uses modern software and robotics-driven automation and has grown profitably with almost no growth capital. Customers like Les Lunes, JP Performance, and Bears with Benefits benefit from its fulfillment solutions and logistics expertise.
Alaiko is Europe's most innovative provider of software solutions for E-Commerce Operations, serving leading D2C brands. The Alaiko Operating System gives online shops transparent and automated processes for warehousing and logistics. Alaiko was founded in 2020 in Munich by Moritz Weisbrodt and Gabriel Thomalla together with investors NFQ and Harald Braunstein. More than 150 successful E-Commerce brands — including Hey Marly, The Female Company, and Gitti — grow with Alaiko's fulfillment solution.
The merger was completed with M&A advisory by CCAP Investments & Advisory and legal counsel from V14, Poellath, and WTS Global.
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