Amazon heads $575m funding bounty for Deliveroo

Amazon has been announced as "the largest investor" in a new $575m (£450m) funding package for food delivery company Deliveroo.

Fellow investors include existing supporters of Deliveroo, T Rowe Price, Fidelity Management and Research Company, and Greenoaks.

The finance will be used to expand Deliveroo's tech team at its UK headquarters in London, expand its reach to new customers by linking up with more restaurants and provide ongoing innovation through its deliver-only kitchens called Editions.

Will Shu, founder and chief executive of Deliveroo, described the new funding as "great news" for restaurants and the tech sector as it will create jobs.

"Amazon has been an inspiration to me personally and to the company, and we look forward to working with such a customer-obsessed organisation," he said.

Doug Gurr, Amazon UK country manager, added: "We're impressed with Deliveroo's approach, and their dedication to providing customers with an ever-increasing selection of great restaurants along with convenient delivery options."

Founded in 2013 by Shu and Greg Orlowski. Deliveroo works with more than 80,000 restaurants and takeaways, as well as 60,000 riders to deliver food in 14 countries.

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