The Rounds

# The Rounds: High-Level Overview

The Rounds is an AI-driven inventory management platform that delivers recurring grocery and household essentials in reusable packaging, operating a closed-loop logistics system designed to reduce packaging waste.[1][2] The company serves consumer members through a subscription model ($10/month) that automates the replenishment of thousands of grocery SKUs across categories including household, personal care, pantry, produce, dairy, and dry goods.[2]

The core problem The Rounds solves is twofold: the inefficiency and waste inherent in traditional e-commerce grocery delivery, and the friction of manual reordering. By applying machine learning to predict when everyday items need replenishment and leveraging a proprietary two-way logistics network, the company offers a "set-it-and-forget-it" platform that prioritizes sustainability alongside convenience.[2] Since its Series A funding round, The Rounds has demonstrated strong growth momentum, posting 6X revenue growth, expanding to three markets (Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Atlanta), and launching cold chain operations.[2] The company recently raised $24 million in Series B funding to accelerate its AI-powered service and scale into new markets.[2]

# Origin Story

The Rounds was founded in 2019 under the original name Mlkmn by Alexander Torrey and Byungwoo Ko, and is headquartered in Center City, Philadelphia.[1] The company's founding concept drew inspiration from the traditional milkman model—a recurring delivery system using reusable containers—but modernized it with predictive AI technology and a focus on sustainability. The company expanded to Washington D.C. in 2021, signaling early market validation.[1] The trajectory from launch to Series B funding reflects a deliberate focus on sustainable, profitable growth rather than rapid unprofitable scaling, a positioning that has resonated with investors as the company demonstrates path to profitability.

# Core Differentiators

• Predictive AI-driven replenishment: Unlike traditional grocery delivery platforms that require manual ordering, The Rounds uses machine learning to anticipate when customers need refills, reducing friction and improving retention.[2]

• Closed-loop packaging system: All products are delivered in reusable glass bottles and containers that are picked up weekly, sanitized, and refilled—eliminating single-use packaging waste at scale.[1][2]

• Proprietary two-way logistics network: The company operates its own last-mile delivery infrastructure optimized for recurring, predictable routes, enabling sustainable operations and local sourcing directly from producers in bulk.[2]

• Local sourcing and supply chain: By sourcing products directly from local producers and refilling in bulk, The Rounds reduces supply chain complexity and supports local vendors while maintaining cost efficiency.[2]

• Personalized recommendations: The platform learns customer preferences over time, offering smarter product suggestions that improve the member experience and increase lifetime value.[2]

# Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

The Rounds operates at the intersection of three significant trends: the sustainability imperative in consumer goods, the rise of AI-driven personalization, and the shift toward subscription-based recurring revenue models. As e-commerce grocery delivery has matured into a commoditized, low-margin space dominated by speed-focused quick commerce players, The Rounds differentiates by inverting the value proposition—trading immediate gratification for sustainability, predictability, and long-term cost savings.

The timing is particularly relevant as consumer awareness of packaging waste has intensified, regulatory pressure on single-use plastics has increased globally, and investors have grown skeptical of unprofitable quick commerce models. The Rounds' emphasis on "profitable long-term growth" rather than growth-at-all-costs positions it against the prevailing venture capital playbook of the early 2020s, suggesting a maturing market where unit economics and sustainability matter as much as market share.[2]

The company's influence extends beyond its direct customer base: by demonstrating that a logistics-heavy, sustainability-focused model can achieve profitability and scale, The Rounds challenges the assumption that convenience and environmental responsibility are mutually exclusive in the last-mile delivery space.

# Quick Take & Future Outlook

The Rounds is well-positioned to capture a growing segment of consumers willing to trade convenience for sustainability and cost predictability. The $24 million Series B and focus on expanding into new markets suggest confidence in replicating the Philadelphia and D.C. playbook.[2] Key trends to watch include the company's ability to achieve profitability at scale, the expansion of cold chain operations into new product categories, and whether the closed-loop model can maintain unit economics as it grows beyond dense urban markets.

The broader question is whether The Rounds represents a durable alternative to quick commerce or a niche player serving a specific demographic. If the company can demonstrate that predictive AI and sustainable logistics create a defensible moat—and that profitability is achievable without sacrificing growth—it could reshape expectations for how last-mile delivery should work. The next 18-24 months will be critical in determining whether The Rounds becomes a category-defining company or remains a well-executed but limited-scale alternative to dominant players.