Online Household Services Marketplace Helpling Secures $22m in Fresh Funding

Helpling, an online marketplace for household services backed by Singapore-based Asia Pacific Internet Group (APACIG), has raised EUR20 million (US$22 million) in its new investment round led by ProSiebenSat.1, one of the leading media groups in Europe.

In a statement, Helpling said the funding round was also participated by existing investors such as Lakestar and Mangrove Capital. With the fresh funding, the company has raised a total of EUR87 million (US$97 million) since its inception in 2014.

Helpling said it will use the new investment to drive significant growth and expansion across tradition verticals, having achieved profitability this summer.

In Asia Pacific, the company has established firm market strongholds in Singapore and Australia. It plans to further expand into new markets.

In Singapore, Helpling entered the market in 2015 by acquiring a local business. The company said Germany and Singapore are at the forefront of its innovation, being the first markets where Helpling is extending its business into adjacent services.

Founded by Philip Huffman and Benedikt Franke, the company is an online marketplace for home services outside the US that matches consumers with qualified independent cleaning providers.

On the website or via app, customers can book a vetted and insured cleaner and gain back free time within a couple of clicks.

Helpling’s Singapore business has grown 15x since its launch and is still one of the fastest-growing markets within the Helpling Group, according to James Lim, Managing Director of Helpling Asia Pacific.

“We are confident that the extension of our services would bring even more convenience to our customers’ everyday lives and we can’t wait to share more about what is in store,” Lim said.

The company also announced plans to expand into air conditioning servicing, laundry, and furniture assembling

Among its investors are Mangrove Capital, Lakestar, APACIG, Rocket Internet and Unilever Ventures. Helpling offers its services in 10 countries: Australia, Germany, Italy, France, Ireland, UK, UAE, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Singapore.

“The investment is an important step towards Helpling becoming the hub for all home services. We will now move to the next phase of enabling as many people as possible to find and provide help at home,” said Helpling co-founder Philip Huffmann.