Floodgate Fund is a venture capital firm that focuses on early stage investments in technology companies. It was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Palo Alto, California.

Floodgate

FJ Labs is a stage-agnostic investment firm that focuses on marketplaces and consumer-facing startups. Their investments are seed and series A. The investment range of the company is $50,000 to $5,000,000. It invests in Alibaba Group, Beepi, BrightRoll, Betterment, Adore Me, and Earnest.

FJ Labs

ZX Ventures is brewing up the future. ZX Ventures are a global disruptive growth group, incubator and venture capital team backed by one of the largest multinational companies in the world, Anheuser-Busch InBev. ZX Ventures is focused on innovation in/around the beverage category.

ZX Ventures

Early-stage venture capital fund focused on investments in technology companies within the supply chain, manufacturing and digital industrial sectors

Schematic Ventures

Playground Global is an early-stage venture capital firm backing technical and scientific founders with deep engineering expertise, a collaborative environment, and a first-hand understanding of the intricacies of deep tech. Established in 2015 and headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, Playground’s mission is to transform ambitious ideas into impactful businesses that benefit humanity and the planet.  We invest in areas that span across next gen compute automation, energy transition and engineered biology. Playground has been an early – and frequently first investor – in companies that include PsiQuantum, Relativity Space, Ultima Genomics, MosaicML (acq. by Databricks), d-Matrix, and Strand Therapeutics.

Playground Global

Dynamo is a seed-stage supply chain and mobility fund that supports founding teams building market-defining companies. The firm focuses on pre-seed and seed-stage opportunities and invests only in enterprise business models. Dynamo Ventures was founded in 2016 and is based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States.

Dynamo

Sozo Ventures was formed in 2011 to invest in and support IT ventures with their global expansion. We invest in category leaders in advanced data technologies, ecommerce, enterprise cloud, fintech, IOT and healthcare IT, among other emerging sectors. We are structured to connect the most ambitious entrepreneurial teams with the world's most advanced and respected customers and distributors. We are at our best when we can share our expertise well before expansion strategies are set.

Sozo Ventures

Madrona Venture Group is a Seattle-based venture capital firm. The firm prefers to invest in businesses that are involved in information technology, e-commerce, digital media, advertising, software, gaming, data, analytics, mobile, and infrastructure.

Madrona

Supply Chain Ventures is an angel and early-stage venture capital partnership.   Our preferred investments are in young, revenue producing companies using information technology to enhance global marketing and supply chain management. Besides capital, we bring significant entrepreneurial, operating and investment experience to help our portfolio companies be successful.   We are particularly interested in companies based on on-demand and/or open source technologies, with business models focused on building collaborative, network driven relationships in global supply chains. We use two primary investment methods: angel investing in operating companies with an initial base of target clients, and, in conjunction with investing partners, early-stage venture funding in more established companies.

Supply Chain Ventures

Refashiond invests in early-stage companies refashioning global supply chains.  It was founded in 2019 and is headquartered in New York, United States.

REFASHIOND Ventures

Leaf Logistics

Leaf Logistics is creating a multi-party network of shippers, carriers, and logistics service providers. Leaf builds technologies for members to participate in this network and plan, coordinate, and execute their transportation logistics more effectively. Today, the product suite includes the Leaf Adapt platform for shippers to build antifragile transportation plans, Leaf Flex forward contracts that lock in value for shippers and carriers alike, and the Leaf Network, where efficiency scales with multi-party network moves.

Founded by logistics industry veterans, Leaf Logistics offers an AI/ML-based transportation platform that connects shippers, carriers, and brokers to facilitate efficient freight movement, reduce empty miles, and secure stable rates. Leaf Logistics offers key products such as the “Adapt” technology for shippers to obtain a forward-looking view of truckload capacity requirements with recommendations, and <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/16589">“Flex Fleets,”</a> a multi-shipper dedicated trucking fleet operating across several regions in the US. Flex Fleets is an extension of Leaf’s freight-matching platform and leverages the company’s Leaf Adapt technology to analyze, track, and coordinate shipper data. The company focuses on forward planning and coordination, scheduling freight months in advance to optimize logistics operations and minimize waste​.

Using online platforms, autonomy, electric and fuel-cell tech solutions to shape the future of trucking.

Truck Industry Tech

Leaf Logistics Launches Flex Fleets, the First Multi-Shipper Dedicated Fleets for Shippers, Carriers, and Brokers

Founded by logistics industry veterans, Leaf Logistics offers an AI/ML-based transportation platform that connects shippers, carriers, and brokers to facilitate efficient freight movement, reduce empty miles, and secure stable rates. Leaf Logistics offers key products such as the “Adapt” technology for shippers to obtain a forward-looking view of truckload capacity requirements with recommendations, and <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/16589">“Flex Fleets,”</a> a multi-shipper dedicated trucking fleet operating across several regions in the US. Flex Fleets is an extension of Leaf’s freight-matching platform and leverages the company’s Leaf Adapt technology to analyze, track, and coordinate shipper data. The company focuses on forward planning and coordination, scheduling freight months in advance to optimize logistics operations and minimize waste​.The company charges a subscription for Adapt and a transactional fee for loads contracted through its Flex program.&nbsp;Key customers and partnershipsLeaf Logistics’ customers include Sage Freight, AB InBev, Solvay, Summit Eleven, and Owens Corning.

<div>
 
 Einride is a Swedish startup developing technology for both autonomous and electric trucks. Its product portfolio includes the freight-hauling autonomous Class 8 trucks &ldquo;Pods,&rdquo; electrified commercial mobility solutions &ldquo;E-trucks,&rdquo; electric semi-trailer 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/10558">
 &ldquo;Einride Trailer,&rdquo;
 </a>
 its operating system &ldquo;Saga&rdquo;&mdash;an IoT-based system that runs through Einride&rsquo;s vehicles 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/14209">
 (also offered to third parties),
 </a>
 a developer application programming interface called 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/10558">
 &ldquo;Einride Extend&rdquo;;
 </a>
 and charging stations called 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/14209">
 &ldquo;Einride Stations.&rdquo;
 </a>
 The company offers electric trucks to customers across Europe, US, and 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/19012">
 the UAE.
 </a>
 It also has approval to launch its autonomous trucks in countries including Sweden, 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/11283">
 the US,
 </a>
 and 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/13069">
 Germany.
 </a>
 &nbsp;
 
 
 Einride offers its products on a subscription-based delivery-as-a-service business model. The subscription includes the use of Einride's electric and autonomous trucks, access to its routing software, and maintenance services.
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 Einride&rsquo;s customers using its electric trucking solutions include 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/9350">
 A.P. Moller-Maersk
 </a>
 (US), Bridgestone (US), 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/9350">
 Beyond Meat
 </a>
 (US), Lidl (Sweden), 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/11100">
 Oatly
 </a>
 (Sweden and US), 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/25917">
 Mars
 </a>
 (Europe), Heineken (Netherlands and Germany), 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/15017">
 AB InBev
 </a>
 (Benelux region), PepsiCo snack food subsidiary 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17838">
 Walkers
 </a>
 (UK), 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18586">
 REWE
 </a>
 (Germany), and 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/19409">
 PostNord
 </a>
 (Sweden and Norway). Its customers that use the autonomous version of its trucks include 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/24002">
 GE Appliances
 </a>
 (US).&nbsp;
 
 
 Einride has truck purchase agreements with automakers including Mercedes-Benz (120 trucks for deployments in Europe; 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/sectors/commerce-and-hospitality/updates/7396">
 December 2021)
 </a>
 BYD (200 trucks for US deployments; 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/8645">
 February 2022)
 </a>
 , Scania (110 trucks for deployment in Europe; 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/11190">
 May 2022),
 </a>
 DAF Trucks (50 electric trucks; 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18731">
 May 2023)
 </a>
 and Paccar (150 trucks, 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/29863">
 May 2024),
 </a>
 which would be retrofitted with Einride&rsquo;s autonomous/operating software.&nbsp;
 
 
 Key competitors: None comparable 
 (Einride is the only company in the Truck Industry Tech that offers battery-electric and autonomous trucking solutions.)
 
</div>

Einride

Kodiak Robotics develops Level-4 autonomous trucks (i.e., fully autonomous vehicles but limited to specific locations and/or conditions) powered by its autonomous technology “Kodiak Driver,” for long-haul transportation. Its approach to system engineering is unique and involves a ground-up approach without retrofitting systems from other autonomous vehicles. Its technology consists of 1) “SensorPods,” a sensor suite that uses cameras, LiDAR, and radars to perceive the environment; 2) “Kodiak Maps,” a flexible routing layer that offers information for autonomous driving; and 3) “Guardian,” its fault management system that runs safety and performance checks to ensure safe movements.In <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/25348">January 2024</a>, the company unveiled its sixth-generation driverless semi-truck designed for scaled deployment on public roads. The company plans to make the technology available for users in two ways: 1) shippers can either request to integrate the sensor pods into their fleets and pay a subscription fee for Kodiak Driver or 2) partner with Kodiak Robotics to ship goods using Kodiak’s fleet of autonomous trucks for a subscription fee. The company launched commercial operations in 2019 and launched the Partner Deployment Program (PDP) to structure work with commercial partners in 2022. It operates in cities in states including Texas, <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/21110">Georgia,</a> Oklahoma, and Florida. The company also planned to expand operations <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/3402">to Asia-Pacific</a>, including South Korea and China (via a partnership with South Korean conglomerate SK Group; announced in May 2021).In terms of driverless operations, Kodiak Robotics had a fleet of 40 autonomous trucks in testing, with a driver following the route as of September 2023. The company intended to launch fully driverless tests in 2024 and commercial driverless operations by 2025.Key customers and partnershipsKodiak Robotics’ customers include <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/8991">Ceva Logistics,</a> <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/9650">U.S. Xpress,</a> <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/11864">10 Roads Express,</a> <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/22474">Maersk,</a> <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/13839">IKEA,</a> <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/27196">Martin Brower,</a> <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/13398">Werner Enterprises,</a> <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/19644">Loadsmith,</a> Tyson Foods, C.R. England, <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/30953">Artur Express</a> and <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/31883">Atlas Energy Solutions</a>.The company also has partnerships to establish truckports and other related services to facilitate its operations. Such partnerships include 1) logistics and transportation firm Ryder Systems to establish a truckport in Houston, Texas <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/25804">(January 2024);</a> 2) weigh station bypass solutions provider Drivewyze to pilot a motor vehicle inspection program for autonomous trucks in Texas <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/20326">(July 2023);</a> 3) Forward Air Corporation, an asset-light provider of transportation services, to operate 24/7 trucking services between routes in Dallas (Texas) and Atlanta (Georgia; March 2023); and 4) travel center operator Pilot Company to co-develop truck service stations across North America <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/12559">(August 2022).</a>Its other product partners include semiconductor design company Ambarella to integrate Ambarella’s perception system-on-chip (SoC) (January 2023) and AI domain control SoC (January 2024) into Kodiak’s self-driving trucks.

Kodiak Robotics

Plus (formerly Plus.ai) develops automated and autonomous trucking solutions. Its product portfolio consists of 1) “PlusVision,” an AI-based perception software designed for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and higher levels of autonomous driving; 2) <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/29369">“PlusProtect,”</a> a scalable AI-based technology that allows global tier 1 automotive suppliers and OEMs to develop functionalities such as automatic emergency braking, lane departure warnings, traffic jam assist, predictive fuel optimization, etc.; 3) “PlusDrive,” for advanced Level 2++ supervised driving functions (i.e., vehicles can control the speed and the steering but require a safety driver to maintain full vigilance); 4) “SuperDrive,” a Level 4 autonomous driving software for driverless operations (i.e., fully autonomous vehicles limited to specific locations and/or conditions); and 5) <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/26625">“Plus Open Platform for Autonomy,”</a> an initiative focused on providing a set of hardware and software tools that allow developers to create and integrate various autonomous driving solutions.As of May 2024, the company had customers in the US, Europe, and Australia. The company offers its technology as a subscription-based SaaS offering.Key customers and partnershipsOEMs that have integrated Plus’ technology include Nikola (to integrate PlusDrive into Nikola’s trucks; February 2023), TRATON Group (to integrate Scania, MAN, and Navistar trucks with SuperDrive to be sold directly to the OEMs’ customers; <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/27515">March 2024),</a> and IVECO (to integrate IVECO’s heavy-duty truck with PlusDrive in April 2021; public road tests commenced in Germany <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/19927">in July 2023)</a>. Its customers include Amazon, which ordered 1,000 self-driving truck systems (<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/3407">June 2021).</a> The company also has a partnership with Hyundai Motor Company to equip fuel-cell electric trucks with Plus SuperDrive (<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/29863">May 2024</a>).Plus’ key product partnerships include ones with 1) automotive technology company Luminar to integrate Luminar’s LiDAR solutions into PlusDrive <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/19201">(June 2023);</a> 2) engineering and technology company Bosch to integrate PlusDrive with the Bosch integrated steering systems <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18177">(May 2023);</a> and 3) Transurban, a company managing urban toll road networks, to test Level 4 autonomous driving technology in Australia <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/21220">(August 2023).</a>Its business in China was separated <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/22722">in October 2023</a> following a deal with China-based digital freight platform operator Full Truck Alliance (FTA), which enabled Plus to operate and expand across other global markets while FTA was to operate its China business.

Plus

Gatik develops and operates a fleet of light and medium-duty trucks with Level-4 automation (i.e., fully autonomous vehicles limited to specific locations and/or conditions) for middle-mile delivery. Gatik operates as an autonomous delivery as a service (ADaaS) provider to its customers. The company has operations in Arkansas, Texas, and California in the US and Ontario in Canada. As of May 2024, Gatik had a fleet of more than 60 trucks and had completed more than 600,000 order deliveries.Key customers and partnershipsGatik’s customers include <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17132">Kroger</a> (US), <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/6505">Walmart</a> (US), <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/12708">Pitney Bowes</a> (US), <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/21574">Tyson Food</a> (US), <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/10926">Georgia-Pacific, KBX</a> (US), and <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/13535">Loblaw’s PC Express</a> (Canada).Gatik’s product collaborations include those with 1) electric vehicle manufacturer Via Motors (introduced electric autonomous box trucks; February 2021); 2) Isuzu North America to mass-produce autonomous medium-duty delivery trucks (April 2021); 3) American multinational tire manufacturer Goodyear for tire intelligence technology (<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/5712">September 2021;</a> extended in <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/25347">January 2024</a>); 4) fleet management solutions provider Ryder System to retrofit its autonomous technology into Ryder’s trucks and obtain its maintenance facilities (<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/6070">October 2021);</a> 5) ChargePoint, an EV charging network to offer charging infrastructure and services for Gatik’s customers (<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/9390">March 2022); </a>and 6) Isuzu Motors to co-design a redundant chassis for autonomous driving systems <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/29407">(May 2024).</a>Gatik also has secured strategic partnerships with <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/32844">Nippon Express Holdings</a>, <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/30366">ITOCHU Corporation</a> and <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/29407">Isuzu Motors</a> under which it secured strategic investments.&nbsp;

Gatik

<div>
 
 Aurora Innovation (Aurora) is an autonomous vehicle technology startup providing autonomous vehicles under two divisions, namely &ldquo;Aurora Horizon&rdquo; (its autonomous trucking service) and &ldquo;Aurora Connect&rdquo; (its autonomous ride-hailing service). Both are powered by the company&rsquo;s self-driving technology &ldquo;Aurora Driver,&rdquo; which is equipped with a hardware kit that includes a computer, proprietary &ldquo;FirstLight Lidar,&rdquo; radar, and cameras, as well as a software platform that features perception, motion planning, mapping, and simulation systems to understand its environment.
 
 
 Aurora has operations in cities including the Bay Area (California), Bozeman (Montana), Dallas (Texas), Detroit (Michigan), Louisville (Colorado), Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania), and Seattle (Washington). It launched its first commercial-ready truck route connecting Dallas and Houston, Texas in 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/23374">
 November 2023.
 </a>
 However, Aurora laid off 3% of its workforce (about 53 employees) 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/25865">
 in January 2024,
 </a>
 to boost the commercial launch efficiency of its autonomous trucking business.
 
 
 Aurora planned to provide the service to customers on a subscription-based delivery-as-a-service business model, charging a fee per mile. As of January 2024, the company intended to launch the service commercially in late 2024 and start mass producing trucks by 2027.
 
 
 Aurora&rsquo;s complementary acquisitions include Uber&rsquo;s self-driving car unit, Advanced Technologies Group (ATG; December 2020), to complement its autonomous technology development and LiDAR startups Blackmore (May 2019) and OURS Technology (February 2021) to expedite and complement its LiDAR development process.
 
 
 Aurora was listed on the Nasdaq in November 2021 by 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/4258">
 merging with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC),
 </a>
 valuing the combined entity at USD 13 billion. The company did not generate revenue in 2023 and reported an operating loss of USD 835 million for the year.&nbsp;
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 Aurora&rsquo;s partners to pilot its technology include logistics companies such as 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/9619">
 Werner Enterprises,
 </a>
 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18176">
 Hirschbach,
 </a>
 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/10521">
 FedEx,
 </a>
 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/30781">
 Uber Freight,
 </a>
 and 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/11986">
 Schneider.
 </a>
 
 
 Its product partners include OEMs, such as Volvo (March 2021; a production-ready version unveiled 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/29593">
 in May 2024)
 </a>
 and PACCAR (January 2021) to jointly develop autonomous trucks, fleet service partner 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/14317">
 Ryder
 </a>
 (November 2022), and hardware and service partner 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18085">
 Continental
 </a>
 (April 2023).
 
 
 
</div>

Aurora Innovation

Developers of autonomous light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks. Most companies outfit truck chassis with their technology. The majority of autonomous trucks available test at SAE Level 3 (i.e., require a driver present and ready to take control or remote assistance by an operator).

Providers of self-driving and safety-related hardware and software that provide features such as platooning, collision avoidance alerts, blind spot detection, automatic braking, automated manual transmissions, and eco-driving systems.

Developers of electric and hydrogen-powered trucks.

Apps and devices that show comprehensive routes and provide truck drivers with up-to-date gas prices, locations of nearby truck stops, bypass weigh stations, available parking, etc.

Apps that help shippers connect with carriers, optimize freight logistics, track shipment and driver hours, etc.

Companies in "safety and driving assist tools" and "autonomous trucks" use AI/ML for autonomous navigation

Companies operating in "Autonomous trucks" segment often provide autonomous mobility solutions

Autonomous trucking solutions fall under Industry 4.0

Electric and fuel cell trucks contribute to reduced carbon footprint of vehicle fleets

Leaf Logistics

About EDGE

Contact Us

Resources

Area of Focus

Technology Research Made Effortless