Startups

 

Actually, Startups are at their peak. This new meaning of entrepreneur company with fast growth is revolutionizing the business. In Spain, we can find Startupexplore which is the biggest community of startups and investors. In addition, if we focus in Valencia, the department of Employment and Entrepreneurship of the City Council tries to promote the entrepreneurship through their initiative Valencia Emprende. Otherwise, the intention of this post is based on discover some logistic startups and analyze them.

Figure 1. Activities undertaken for the City Council of Valencia for helping local startups. Source: http://www.valenciaemprende.es/es/que-hacemos

The word Startup involves those companies of new creation that are in the first stage of operation. They present a huge possibility of growth and profitability.  The fast growth is due they usually need lower funding, in comparison with other kind of businesses, for its implementation. This funding can be obtained from investors who, in return, demand for a percentage of the company. In addition, innovation through creative business idea is a key aspect which is commonly related with their success. Basically the main goal of them is to become a company but it requires having a good business plan and executing it correctly.

Figure 2. Investment activities of the Spanish startups. Source:  http://www.abc.es/economia/abci-startups-burbuja-mascool201604110826_noticia.html

Video of TEDx about startup (10:45-11:33)

Despite startups are becoming very popular specially in the technological field, they show reluctant to logistics being this a difficult ground of entry. Next, a list of some logistic startups is provided, therefore you’ll be able, by clicking on them, of seeing more information.logistic startups.

Transportation Systems	Freight Rates	Containers	Crowd Shipping	End to end shipping	3PL	Local delivery	Storage
Matternet	Transporteca iContainers Freight Filter Xeneta Shippo ShipHawk Veritread Logistitrade	Staxxon Holland Container Innovations	Friendshippr Barnacle Nimber Zipments For You TrunkBird UberCARGO Roadie	Shipster Shyp ShipBob Schlep Flexport Shipwise	Shipwire Cloud Fulfillment Local Motion MuniRent	Boxc Postmates DoorDash Zipments Deliv Sidecar Deliveries Rickshaw Parcel	Lockitron MakeSpace Boxbee ShareMyStorage Cubbyhole. Keycafe Roost Swapbox

Table 1. List of logistic startups.

To go deeper in one example, I would like to write about Shipwire, one of the previous platforms in the list. This startup allows the user to carry out and satisfy any logistic demand such as shipping, warehousing or processing. They count with some warehouses around the world in strategic places where they can store your product. Therefore, they are able to provide fast and flexible shipping. In addition, they try for you to optimize all the process with the aim of guarantee the best price. Moreover, the user is able to customize its delivery by adding labels and personalizing inserts such as announcements or stickers, among other things.

Video 2. Order fulfillment with shipwire (0-1:34)

To sum up, startups present a great future and are a good way of innovate and provide a new focus to logistics, making easy the communication and transport of products.