Dija Nears $20M Funding Round Led by Blossom Capital
London-based Dija, a promising new player in the rapid grocery delivery space founded by former Deliveroo executives, is finalizing a $20 million funding round led by Blossom Capital, TechCrunch has learned.
The Investors Behind the Deal
- Lead Investor: Blossom Capital (founded by ex-Index and LocalGlobe VC Ophelia Brown)
- Competitive Process: Multiple top-tier VC firms reportedly competed to back Dija
- Current Status: Deal not yet finalized; both Blossom and Dija declined official comment
Meet the Founders: Delivery Industry Veterans
Dija was co-founded by Alberto Menolascina and Yusuf Saban, both former senior leaders at Deliveroo with deep expertise in food logistics:
Alberto Menolascina
- Former Director of Corporate Strategy at Deliveroo
- Co-founded Everli (Italy’s answer to Instacart)
- Ex-Just Eat executive
Yusuf Saban
- Former Chief of Staff to Deliveroo’s CEO
- Morgan Stanley alumnus
- Instrumental in Deliveroo’s Series D-F funding rounds
Dija’s Business Model: Speed Meets Convenience
While still in stealth mode, Dija plans to operate using an innovative “dark convenience store” model, featuring:
- Hyper-local fulfillment centers in urban areas
- Ultra-fast delivery of convenience and fresh food items
- Likely comparable to US-based goPuff or UK’s Weezy
Market Context and Challenges
The rapid grocery delivery sector presents both opportunity and challenges:
✅ Growing Demand: Pandemic accelerated shift to online groceries
⚠️ Capital Intensive: Requires significant investment in infrastructure
⚠️ Unproven Models: Not all markets have embraced dark store concepts
With its experienced founding team and strong investor interest, Dija appears well-positioned to make waves in Europe’s competitive grocery delivery landscape. The startup’s ability to execute on its rapid delivery promise while managing operational costs will be key to its long-term success.
