TecPier and Newark Venture Partners invested in the US startup SensorTransport with a mid-range six-figure investment.
SensorTransport connects global shippers with local carriers to collect digital tracking, proof of delivery and condition monitoring of cargo in transit. Digitized delivery is offered at a disruptive price of less than one euro per shipment.
The SensorTransport smartphone application includes an Internet of Things (IoT) gateway for Bluetooth sensors. A low cost Bluetooth enabled sensor logs data from the cargo journey and is automatically read in the delivery moment. This technology enables drivers to upload data globally with apps on their existing smartphones.
"We decided to use smartphones as they are an excellent gateway and allow us to work with significantly cheaper sensors than those of our competitors," said Rob Haney, founder and CEO of SensorTransport. All of the captured sensor data and shipment information is uploaded to the cloud-based platform and made accessible through an online dashboard called the Command Console.
Top brands and leading freight forwarders are already customers of SensorTransport. "Thanks to SensorTransport, we can monitor the condition of our cargo seamlessly and make it visible to our customers. As such, our customers are enthusiastic because they can now ensure that only perfect goods enter the market." States a top Global 3PL customer.
The fresh capital will flow primarily into sales and product development.
TecPier is already invested in startups like Closelink and NautilusLog. Konstantin Loebner, founding partner of TecPier commented: "In addition to the strong and experienced founding team, we were particularly impressed by the high global scalability of SensorTransport that is thriving in a growing connected logistics market. We are convinced that their business model will be successful. This also indicates that the sensors are getting cheaper and that in the future, more and more freight forwarders will want to have data about their products as they make their way to trading partners or end customers."
TecPier has been under the legal advisory of Prof. Dr. med. Stephan Göthel from Pier11 in Hamburg.