Second ‘cohort’ of startups offer demos at RocketSpace, Kaleido accelerator

The 10 startup companies taking part in the second Logistics Tech Accelerator Program, hosted by Kaleido Logistics and the RocketSpace co-working firm, took part in the project’s Demonstration Day yesterday, showcasing the work they have done building their logistics-related business over the last several months.

Also known as “Cohort II,” the companies include Equivvy, IAM Robotics, Freightly, OBUU, Optiply, Stowga, Trackersense, Getvu, Sennder and Undagrid, all of which are focused on bringing innovation to logistics and supply chains.

Launched a year ago, the Logistics Tech Accelerator program was created by Kaleido Logistics and RocketSpace to connect disruptive startups from around the world with other successful technology-driven companies to fuel cross-industry innovation. The 10 startups chosen spent the last few months working on their ideas within RocketSpace’s technological ecosystem to share innovation expertise, while Kaleido provided support from multiple corporate members, other promising startups and logistics industry mentors.

“It is very motivating to see how startups are bringing their technologies to the market in collaboration with the corporates,” said Xoán Martínez, CEO of Kaleido Logistics and founder of the accelerator. “And it’s also great to see how open innovation culture is shared by colleagues.” Other corporate partners taking part in the program include Lufthansa Cargo, Ingram Micro, MAN Truck & Bus, and Fiege, he said.

Under the program, the participating startup businesses are challenged to rethink logistics and work hand-in-hand on a pilot program, and to develop solutions that can be taken to the market. In yesterday’s Demonstration Day, each startup presented its offerings, showcasing specific problems they are trying solve and discussing the future partnership pathways they plan to make with the program’s corporate collaborators.

The ten companies that were present in Cohort II, representing six countries, included:

• Equivvy (Amsterdam) – an equipment rental and sharing platform for the supply chain industry.
• IAM Robotics (Pittsburgh) – which makes autonomous mobile robots to handle materials in logistics and manufacturing.
• Freightly (Cologne) – an online transport management system and booking portal for logistics.
• OBUU (Madrid) – an advanced stock optimization software that enables users to shape and fully customize stock to their fleet, and model future scenarios for strategic analysis.
• Optiply (Amsterdam) – the first fully automated inventory optimization solution for e-commerce.
• Stowga (London) – which lets you find, book and manage warehouse space through one easy-to-use platform.
• Trackersense (London) – which develops and deploys parcel delivery and asset tracking technology to drive supply chain efficiencies worldwide.
• GetVu (Bengaluru) – which uses Augmented Reality technology to streamline supply chain processes offering more accessibility to real time data, optimised workflows and improved automation of manual processes.
• Sennder (Berlin) – which offers same-day and 12-hour logistics.
• Undagrid (Amsterdam Schiphol Airport) – which optimises logistical processes and creates new services around (non-powered) assets, via an autonomous communication network, innovative sensor, and tracking technology.

The event also provided an update from developments that took place since the first group of Tech Accelerator startups completed the program last fall. Startup member CargoSteps, from “Cohort I,” and corporate partner Kaleido have jointly developed Freight Intelligence, an airfreight track-and-trace tool for the manufacturing industry that gives companies complete visibility and control over their airfreight supply chain.

“The objective behind the creation of the Logistics Tech Accelerator program is to allow stunning technologies that are ready to go to market to work with corporate collaborators,” Martínez added. The project also provides opportunities to “explore and experiment with a diverse group of industry leaders, opening the door for new applications of technology and potential long-term partnerships,” he said.

Applications for the third group of startup businesses (Cohort III) to join the program are now open and will close on July 23. Interested startups and corporations can learn more about qualifications for the Logistics Tech Accelerator at this website.