Enthrill Distribution Inc., a provider of ebook distribution products and services for the global publishing industry, has raised a $1.3 million seed round led by AVAC Ltd., a private Canadian company that invests in promising early stage ventures.
The Calgary company’s cloud-based software platform opens up a “previously inaccessible B2B market for publishers,” who had no means of fulfilling bulk orders for electronic books. The same patent-pending technology, which enables ebooks to be securely distributed to any electronic reading device (which include computers, tablets, smartphones and e-readers), also provides traditional hard copy retailers with the ability to sell ebooks, either online or via a unique ebook gift card, to their customers.
“We are excited to announce our investment in, and support for Enthrill,” said AVAC Ltd. CEO Dr. Michael Raymont. “Enthrill’s talented and experienced team has clearly demonstrated their understanding of the international publishing industry, its needs and its market dynamics. The publishing and retail worlds have been eagerly waiting for a way to distribute ebooks to any reader on any device — which is exactly what Enthrill delivers.”
Enthrill said it will use the cash for product development and the next stage in its commercial growth, which will include sales and marketing efforts for global distribution. “Working closely with the team at AVAC while they conducted their in-depth due diligence has validated our business strategy,” said cofounder Kevin Franco. “AVAC has taken a genuine interest in our organization, spending the time to thoroughly understand our business and ensure our capital requirements were in place for the next stage of our growth.”
Enthrill’s ebooks are currently available at participating Canada Safeway, Co-op, and Sobeys stores and will be available in Walmart Canada stores in the fall, 2014. Publishers whose titles are available through Enthrill include HarperCollins, Harlequin, Open Road Media, Scholastic, Kensington, Palgrave Macmillan and many others.