Uber Freight launching in Europe: 9 local startups which can give the tech giant a run for its money

This article will take you 6 minute(s) to read

Right after its food delivery service, Uber is planning to expand its lesser-known service called Uber Freight in Europe next month. This new business from Uber aims to helps truck drivers connect with shipping companies.

In the official blog, Uber Freight stated, “Europe’s freight market is one of the largest and most sophisticated in the world, yet carriers and shippers experience many of the same challenges as their counterparts in the U.S.”

The launch in Europe comes a couple of years after it entered the United States market in an attempt to revitalise the trucking industry and bring new opportunities to both carriers and shippers across the country. With this move, Uber is planning to capitalise the $400 billion worth trucking industry in Europe, the third-largest in the world after China and the United States.

According to the company claims, the European market is highly fragmented, with small-to-medium-sized carriers comprising more than 80% of the total carrier base, making it difficult for small carriers to meet shipper needs. With the launch of Uber Freight, the company aims to unite the industry towards a more efficient and transparent future.

In regards to Europe expansion, the service will start operations in the Netherlands marking it as a first country. Moreover, the company claims that it will expand into other countries in the near future.”The expansion of Uber Freight into Europe is an important first step toward bringing our vision for an efficient and transparent freight marketplace to the international stage.”

Here are the 9 local startups which can give the tech giant a run for its money.

Everoad (France)

Based out of Paris, Everoad aims to revolutionize freight transport in Europe by connecting shippers and carriers in real time. Founded by Maxime Legardez in 2016, this platform attempt to bring Uber-like convenience to the shipping industry, by connecting shippers with truckers. Everoad has raised a total of €17.5M in funding over 2 rounds. Their latest funding was raised on Oct 25, 2017, from a Series A round.

InstaFreight (Germany)

Based out of Berlin, InstaFreight is a digital forwarding company for B2B customers, that enables fast and uncomplicated processing of freight transports. The company target commercial customers and offer them a click & buy experience with instant pricing and allow for a fast and convenient booking experience online. Founded by Maximilian Schaefer and Philipp Ortwein, the company aims to reduce the complexity of the supply chain and ensure absolute transparency for our customers and carriers. InstaFreight has raised a total of €8M in funding over 1 round. This was a Series A round raised on Nov 30, 2017.

OnTruck (Spain)

OnTruck is a logistics and transport company, born with the ambition to make shipment of goods. Based out of Madrid, OnTruck’s goal is to have the best global network of carriers to make the most efficient possible hiring of transport. Till now, the company has raised a total of $41.3M in funding over 3 rounds. Their latest funding was raised on May 30, 2018, from a Series B round.

Quicargo (The Netherlands)

Founded by Avishai Trabelsi and Roni Liberman, Quicargo provides an online marketplace for shippers & carriers to benefit from unutilized truck loading spaces. Based out of Amsterdam, the platform monitors available trucks with empty space from multiple sources, analyses it in real-time, detects shippers needs and creates a database with essential information to instigate business transactions. Quicargo has raised a total of €4.4M in funding over 4 rounds. Their latest funding was raised on Oct 15, 2018, from a Venture – Series Unknown round.

Deliver.ru (The Netherlands/Russia)

Deliver is a new type of transport company that operates as an electronic forwarder. In this platform, cargo owners and carriers have access to personal accounts in the web interface and the Deliver application. Deliver works only with FTL transportations: vehicles with a carrying capacity from 1 to 20 tons. The company offers competitive prices by increasing the level of utilization of transport, which makes it possible to reduce the cost of mileage.

PackBud (Sweden)

PackBud is an online transportation marketplace based in Malmo, Sweden. Founded by Mikael Funa, Pär Wredendahl, Thomas Fogdö, the company provides parcel and freight deliveries for private individuals and companies. Through the use of already planned transports, the company contribute to a reduction of the total environmental impact. Based out of Malmö, Sweden, PackBud aims to create efficient and sustainable transport with intelligent technology.

ShipVio (Czech Republic)

ShipVio helps SME’s to ship small packages and pallets across Europe using the company’s network of vehicles with spare truck capacity. Headquartered in Prague, Shipvio transparent, efficient and meets growing demands in road transportation. Andre founded ShipVio in late 2015 and launched the year after.

Utily (France)

Utily is the moving platform that brings together professional and private movers. The company aims mission is to enable everyone to have the opportunity to transport easily and cheaply.

Truckin (Germany)

Truckin was established in 2015 and is based in Berlin, Germany. Truckin is a community marketplace and recruitment platform that connects trucking companies with shippers, freight forwarders, and drivers. This platform allows trucking companies to find appropriate loads and close deals with freight forwarders as well as assists with finding qualified drivers to move the loads. Truckin has raised a total of €1M in funding over 3 rounds. Their latest funding was raised on Aug 19, 2016, from a Seed round.

Stay tuned to Silicon Canals for more updates in the tech startup world.

Scaling up in Sweden? These 5 expert tips will help you succeed