As many as 28 logistics startups from across Europe came to Amersfoort to win a promotional budget of 40,000 euros. They have germinated in their home market, but want to quickly plant their innovative ideas in other European countries even before they reach maturity. What are their chances of success?
In the end, LuckaBox was declared the winner of the first European Supply Chain Start-up Contest, which was organised by Supply Chain Media. The Swiss start-up is successful with a platform for retailers that allows convenient and fast shipping of parcels to consumers. Through LuckaBox, retailers can access a large number of often local last-mile solutions, from bicycle couriers to pick-up points, through a single platform. Goods ordered via the internet can sometimes be delivered within two hours in large cities. "We can use this recognition very well for further growth in Europe. We have now signed a contract to start our services in Vienna as well," responds Aike Festini, founder and ceo of LuckaBox.
Not all ideas are unique
Not all the ideas of the startups present are equally unique. Many participants are trying to capture the market with Uber-like concepts in which they bring together supply and demand in transport. They claim the role of traditional freight forwarders, who see their position in many supply chains increasingly threatened. One example is Paris-based FretLink, which is already cautiously considering a branch in Belgium and then perhaps even the Netherlands. The question is what their chances are. Here too, with QuiCargo and Synple, among others, startups are already active with similar ideas.
Parts by drone
The use of drones for inventory is also no longer unique. For this purpose, Doks from Kassel, Germany, has developed a drone that takes off by itself, finds its way through the warehouse and systematically scans the pallet labels of the pallets in the racks. What is unique about this drone? "That we can add an optical temperature sensor that takes the temperature of the goods along," answers founder and ceo Benjamin Fedemann. And Doks has developed another notable application: using drones for internal transport of goods. Federmann: "Think of large industrial complexes of car manufacturers, for example. If a part is missing on the assembly line, a drone can bring it in within minutes. We have a drone that can carry 5.5 kilograms, Amazon's no more than 1.5 kilograms."
Fair and sustainable
The question is whether some start-ups are not blinded by their mission to improve the world. One example is Germany's Sustainabill, which aims to give parties in the fashion industry, for example, insight into the origin of their products. Who are their suppliers' suppliers? Do their products come from fair and sustainable factories? "Our tool graphically maps the entire supply chain. Clicking on a link provides insight into that company's water and energy consumption, for example," explains company director Klaus Wiesen. Weak point seems to be that Sustainabill depends on the voluntary cooperation of those companies to provide the requested data. Why would they do so? "That turns out to be less of a problem than we in Western Europe often think," Wiesen argues. "Here, we are reluctant to provide data, but in the Far East, companies look at data very differently. Most have no qualms about divulging data."
Flying start
The battle between the startups makes one thing clear: the more unique the concept, the greater the chance of international success. One example is Stockpots, which, like LuckaBox, was among the five nominees. Thanks to a deal with Belgian real estate specialist Montea, this platform temporary storage capacity is off to a flying start in Belgium. International success also seems to be in store for Pro Alliance, a Belgian party that uses social networks to make data from the entire supply chain accessible to all stakeholders. Having already raised the necessary funding, Pro Alliance was not allowed to enter the start-up contest. However, Pro Alliance did receive an award as best 'scale-up'.
Marcel te Lindert - journalist logistics and supply chain
