Distribution Returns Platform Continuum Nets $1.7M in Pre-Seed Round

Two months after announcing its launch, B2B distribution and manufacturing returns platform Continuum shared that it has received new funding.

The Chicago-based firm said April 23 that it has closed on an oversubscribed $1.7 million pre-seed funding round, which the company said will further its commitment to enhancing digital transformation beyond traditional eCommerce.

The funding round led by M25, a Chicago-based venture capital firm known for its strategic investments in Midwest headquartered tech startups. The funds will enable Continuum to enhance its platform capabilities and the continued development of a B2B returns, warranties and repairs management network. Rex Salisbury’s Cambrian and Clocktower Ventures also participated in the round.

“We’ve seen firsthand the rapid advance in customer experience and efficiency for consumer reverse logistics, and we returned to a similar but more complicated problem on the B2B side,” Victor Gutwein, Managing Partner at M25, said in a news release. “When you add the team’s deep industry knowledge, network and backgrounds with legacy ERP systems, it becomes clear that this warranted an investment.”

With the new capital, Continuum plans to scale its operations, provide data connectivity between end users, distributors and manufacturers, and double its implementation team to meet the growing demand for its services — which the firm said ensures a robust offering for distributors and manufacturers facing logistical challenges. 

“M25 understands the gap that distributors and manufacturers have when it comes to reverse logistics, returns and warranties processing,” said Alex Witcpalek, Founder and CEO of Continuum. “It was important to us that we chose a partner that bought into our vision and aligned with our mission to drive the Continuum network forward. Their support propels our mission to revolutionize the industry with innovative solutions.”

“B2B commerce is five times bigger than B2C, and reverse logistics there are even more broken,” added Rex Salisbury, General Partner at Cambrian Ventures. “A multi-stakeholder platform that streamlines returns between manufacturers, distributors and purchasers is solving a big problem in a large, underserved market.”