Innovative word-based addressing system what3words will be used internationally as the addressing system underpinning the operations of giant logistics company Aramex. The UK-based startup what3words has partnered with global logistics giant Aramex in an US$8.5 million Series B funding round backed with investment from Intel Capital, Force Over Mass Capital and Mustard Seed.
With headquarters in Dubai, Aramex operates in 60 countries around the world and will use what3words to further enhance its “last-mile” delivery solution in its e-commerce operations across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.
what3words uses a global grid of 57 trillion 3mx3m squares, where each square has a unique pre-assigned address suing three words. The beach at the Wadi Waterpark in Dubai for example, has the unique address “soil.drying.testify” as shown below.
The solution helps spatial and non-spatial personnel alike to communicate location quickly, easily and with reduced risk of error. what3words is currently available in 10 languages and is being used in more than 170 countries, and is already seeing mass adoption in Australia and beyond.
The Aramex investment will further extend what3words’ reach in the logistics industry. In the past few months what3words has been adopted by logistics software provider Blackbay, address verification platform Allies, and the leading supplier of Ireland’s new Eircode system AutoAddress.
In Britain, delivery firm Direct Today Couriers have already reduced the number of failed deliveries by 83% since using three word addresses.
Chris Sheldrick, CEO and Co-Founder of what3words noted that “Aramex is recognised as one of the most innovative logistics providers in the world, and this partnership will help to propel what3words toward our goal of becoming a global addressing standard.”
“We are on a mission to change the way people communicate location, to make the world a more efficient, less frustrating and a safer place with three word addresses.”
-Chris Sheldrick
Aramex attributes the adoption of what3words to its commitment to investing in innovative solutions.
“By integrating 3 word addresses into our e-commerce operations across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, we are better able to reach more consumers worldwide, even those in difficult to access locations,” said Hussein Hachem, CEO of Aramex. “The partnership is also perfectly aligned with our commitment to becoming a technology-based enterprise, looking for new and innovative solutions to enhance our operations.
“We look forward to reaping the rewards and efficiencies the integration with what3words will create for our business.”
