Logistics

As ecommerce has become synonymous with commerce, consumers have been brought along for an incredible ride.

Since 2005, the average miles traveled per Amazon package has dropped from 1,100 to 75. In the broader B2B logistics world, however, things are much bumpier. Two-day delivery is one thing, but truckers need to get goods cross-country in two weeks, while making a two hour delivery window. And as goods move closer to consumers, price drops make inventory and asset planning even more critical. Globally, the headlines don’t lie: strained supply chains, labor shortages, manufacturing logjams, and surging fuel prices are all a daily reality.

There are ongoing shockwaves through the competitive landscape, but they’re also creating chances to make other players better, especially on the enterprise side. This begins with recognizing that resource problems are usually data problems as well. Most companies can’t suddenly acquire a vast fleet or warehouse network - yet opportunities abound to integrate data and systems to improve visibility and reliability, make operations more efficient and sustainable, and create modern, consumer-quality experiences.

The Way Forward

Logistics is a world of numerous moving parts, and equally numerous possibilities for innovation and optimization. These are a few of the trends and focus areas informing the 8VC logistics thesis and helping us to construct our portfolio.

Recent events

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Over the past decade, the technologies of the Bio-IT wave have catalyzed numerous fields of study, each of which enables the creation of new companies.

Fields

Fintech x Logistics

While we’ve seen a modern gold rush of fintech for consumer and high-tech enterprises, logistics enterprises have been left behind - and these gaps spell enormous opportunity. In the fragmented world of freight, streamlining payments becomes all-important. Fleet operators, facing high uncertainty elsewhere, need clarity around their working capital cycles. Smaller carriers need insurance they can afford, with integrated support and data-driven incentives.

Light on Assets, High on Value

In logistics, it can be a fine line between asset and liability. The more physical resources you own, the harder they are to allocate. Everyone feels the effects of warehouse labor shortages; why own the warehouse if it’s not helping business? This creates space for enablers: software platforms that can unlock new efficiencies and network effects, bringing supply and demand together in real time to solve the toughest challenges in fulfillment, last mile planning, and more.

Connected Companies & Supply Chains

Connectivity, both within companies and across the supply chain, has the potential to address many of the systemic blind spots and uncertainties that plague logistics companies. Key inputs such as telematics, ELDs (electronic logging devices), and IOT are already delivering significant gains in fleet management, supply chain visibility, compliance, safety, and productivity.

On-Target Autonomy

Autonomy is a prime example of the importance of problem selection as well as problem solving. While autonomous vehicles as a whole are a crowded and extremely long-term space, autonomous solutions for specific, high-value functions have the potential to alleviate labor shortages, safety issues, and human error, while bringing the US up to speed with countries that are more advanced in port operations.

Next-Generation Mobility

Our skepticism about competing on legacy infrastructure hasn’t dimmed our enthusiasm for next-generation mobility and transportation technologies. From electric air taxis to low-cost, rapid tunneling to transform cities, we’ve backed some of the most ambitious companies in these spaces.

Developing Markets

Logistics innovation almost always requires integration with existing infrastructure, and in markets where that infrastructure is missing or nascent, it places an even greater premium on resourceful founders and technical excellence. In addition, homegrown companies are often best positioned to navigate complex regulations and regional instabilities. We see great promise in developing markets, particularly in Latin America.

Key advisors

Chris Sultemeier

EVP Logistics, Walmart Stores, Inc
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Shaleen Devgun

EVP and CIO, Schneider
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Alan Gershenhorn

Former Chief Commercial Officer and EVP, UPS
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Darren Chan

Co-Founder, Vector
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Justin Hall

CEO, Primo

EIR, 8VC

Former Chief Customer Officer, YRC Worldwide (NASDAQ: YRCW)

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Sudarsan Thattai

Chief Information Officer, Lineage Logistics
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Felipe Villamarin

Co-Founder, Rappi
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