what3words buys Swiftcomplete whose technology enables businesses to capture and validate customer addresses

what3words, a tech company backed by Ingka (ikea), Mercedes-Benz and former F1 champion Nico Rosbery, has announced the acquisition of address validation software firm, Swiftcomplete.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

what3words divides the world into three by three metre squares and assigns unique three word labels to each. It is used by delivery firms such as DPD, DHL, Aramex and Evri.

Swiftcomplete’s technology enables businesses to quickly capture and validate their customer addresses. It’s designed to be integrated into the address capture flow, for example on e-commerce checkout pages.”

Chris Winfield, founder of Swiftcomplete (and who joins what3words as Chief Research Officer), comments: “Our mission has always been to make address entry as smooth and simple as possible. Now with the global reach and ambition of what3words, we’re excited to continue to push boundaries and bring this innovation to businesses worldwide.”

Chris Sheldrick, Co-founder and CEO at what3words, says: “By adding Swiftcomplete to the what3words family, we’re able to offer a consolidated address entry solution for e-commerce that solves one of its most persistent challenges: inaccurate addressing. Together, we’re empowering businesses around the world to offer faster, more reliable deliveries to precise locations, unlocking new levels of efficiency and customer satisfaction.”

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Online delivery will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards. which will open for entries in March, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.