The Noise in Direct-to-Consumer Business: Pietra’s Solution
In today’s e-commerce landscape, starting a business and advertising on Google and Facebook is no longer enough. The noise has increased significantly, making it challenging for businesses to stand out. However, Pietra, an ex-Uber team led by Ronak Trivedi, co-founder and CEO, has found a solution to this problem.
From Jewelry Marketplace to E-commerce Infrastructure Company
Pietra started in 2019 as a marketplace for jewelry sellers but pivoted in 2021 to help creators build out back ends for launching and scaling product lines. This pivot was made possible by raising $15 million in Series A capital in the process.
"It is becoming increasingly difficult to run a profitable DTC business or e-commerce business," Trivedi said in an interview. "We’re entering an era where you can’t just overspend and hack your way to continued growth. There are more channels, and with lots of brands online, you need to stand out."
Guiding Customers through the Process
Since 2021, Pietra’s approach to guiding customers through the process of creating an e-commerce business has yielded impressive results. The company now has over 100,000 active users, a 100x increase in transaction volume, and a 35x increase in year-over-year revenue.
Pietra Membership: Access to Free Software Tools
The company recently announced that it closed on $16 million in new capital in the form of a Series A extension. This funding will be used to develop Pietra Membership, a monthly subscription starting at $39 a month for access to free software tools on everything from returns to influencer marketing.
Pietra’s Logistic Dashboard
Image Credits: Pietra
With the new funding, Pietra enters the commerce enablement sector with a revamped Pietra Membership. This membership provides users with access to free software tools, including:
- Returns management
- Influencer marketing
- Order fulfillment
- Sales and distribution channel
- Third-party logistics network
Pietra’s logistic dashboard provides users with real-time visibility into their supply chain operations.
Expansion Plans
The company plans to expand internationally, double its team, and expand operations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York in 2023. Trivedi called the recent round "opportunistic," stating that the company still had over two years of runway but wanted to bring in some additional employees and meet demand it was not able to service last year.
M13’s Investment
As part of the investment, Carter Reum and Brent Murri from M13 are joining Pietra’s board. Reum, co-founder and managing partner, stated that "Them" had been impressed by Pietra’s growth and innovation in the e-commerce space.
"We believe that Pietra has the potential to become a leading player in the commerce enablement sector," said Reum. "We’re excited to join their team and help them achieve their goals."
Competitive Advantage
Pietra’s competitive advantage lies in its ability to provide users with access to free software tools, making it easier for businesses to manage their supply chain operations.
"We believe that Pietra’s platform will become the go-to solution for e-commerce businesses looking to streamline their operations," said Trivedi. "Our goal is to make it easier for businesses to succeed in the e-commerce space."
Conclusion
In today’s noisy e-commerce landscape, Pietra has found a solution to help businesses stand out. With its revamped Pietra Membership and expanded operations, the company is poised to become a leading player in the commerce enablement sector.
As the e-commerce industry continues to grow, Pietra’s innovative approach will undoubtedly make it easier for businesses to succeed.