A Recap of Dropoff’s 2017 Milestones

2017 proved what we’ve known from the start: Dropoff is a force to be reckoned with. We reached exciting milestones, gained important consumer insights, and were recognized as one of the “Hottest Startups” based in Austin, TX. What we saw the most of, however, was growth. The number of markets Dropoff operates in nearly doubled. Doing our homework and expanding into new markets where we could further assist our partners has allowed us to grow intentionally and with purpose.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without our hard-working team (check out some members of our Sales and Client Success teams above) and the continued support of our clients. With that, here are some key milestones and highlights from the year:

Growth

In May, Dropoff raised $8.5 million in Series B funding, led by Fulcrum Equity Partners, to help us launch new markets, grow local market teams, and increase the staff at our headquarters in Austin. Throughout 2017, Dropoff launched in Denver, Phoenix, San Diego, Fort Worth, Nashville, Atlanta, and Las Vegas. The Atlanta and Las Vegas market launches were a result of our partnership with Sprinkles Cupcakes, which we celebrated by hosting a giveaway in both cities and delivering dozens of free cupcakes to some very happy winners.

Along with nearly doubling the markets Dropoff operates in, we also more than doubled the number of Dropoff team members. Extra hands on deck were much needed! Since starting the business in 2014, revenue is up 1,096% and orders have increased by 16,300%. Dropoff’s number of clients grew 83% year over year in 2017 alone.

Innovation

As we grow, it’s vital that we continuously improve the overall delivery experience for our clients. So to kick off 2017, Dropoff launched a mobile app for iOS and Android devices, making it easier than ever for clients to place and track orders from their mobile devices.

In March, we introduced Dropoff Tracker, a tool that adds even more transparency by enabling our clients to view and track all of their deliveries and drivers’ statuses across locations, in real-time. The news of our new tool, which we introduced at ShopTalk, garnered a lot of attention, including a profile story in Business Insider, naming Dropoff “the next FedEx killer.” Another big win? Austin Inno recognized Dropoff as a major player by naming us as a winner of the 2017 Austin A-List Awards.

Insights

To better understand consumer expectations around delivery, we conducted three surveys throughout 2017. In March, we revealed the findings of our annual national survey of consumer delivery preferences (surprise! Consumers love same-day delivery). Dropoff is happy to provide fast, reliable, and transparent deliveries to help our clients meet the growing demands of their customers.

In October, we put out our bi-yearly client satisfaction survey, and our Net Promoter Score (NPS) went up by four points! With a score of 78, we are extremely proud to be providing a stellar client experience. We’re also leaps and bounds above the industry benchmark score for logistics companies, which is 56.

Leading into the holiday season, one of our busiest times of the year, we announced the findings of our 2nd Annual Holiday Survey. The data showed same-day delivery to be a key factor in where shoppers purchase holiday gifts this year and revealed a high correlation between shoppers’ purchase intent and brand loyalty.

Above and Beyond

Dropoff averaged a 4.9 delivery rating for all of 2017—that’s based on more than 10,000 delivery ratings received. Dropoff drivers also trekked over 3.7 million miles to make deliveries, saving businesses an estimate of over $19 million in gas costs last year. And in December, Dropoff made its longest-ever delivery, transporting crucial aircraft parts more than 1,500 miles from Dallas, TX to Teterboro, NJ. While we don’t typically do such long hauls, our client needed help in a tough situation, and we pulled through to accommodate the last-minute, challenging request.

Giving Back

In the late summer of 2017, Hurricane Harvey hit our home state hard. We partnered with The Red Cross and donated $1 for every delivery made that week to support relief efforts. On the ground, our teams in Houston delivered Nothing Bundt Cakes treats to the victims and first responders at local shelters.

We wrapped up the year by giving back to our hometown community. We participated in Operation Blue Santa, whose mission is to provide toys and food for families in need during the Holiday Season. Dropoff sponsored four families’ holiday celebrations. It was a humbling experience, and every member of the Dropoff team contributed to the cause in some way. We spoke with the families to understand their needs and the items on their kids’ wish lists, shopped for the presents, and gathered donations from local business. We then wrapped and delivered them all in-person.

Looking Forward

While Dropoff saw major growth and experienced hard-earned wins in 2017, we’re excited for all that 2018 has in store. Further developing the team at our Austin-based headquarters, continuing expansion into new markets, and providing further support to existing clients in additional regions are all on the horizon this year.

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