Jeff Bezos Invests in Digital Freight Forwarder Beacon

May 31, 2020

© THATREE / Adobe Stock
© THATREE / Adobe Stock

Amazon.com Inc Chief Executive Jeff Bezos has picked British startup Beacon, a digital freight forwarder, for his latest investment.

Beacon said on Sunday it raised over $15 million in Series A fundraising, from investors including Bezos and venture capital firm 8VC.

The startup, formed by two former Uber Technologies Inc executives two years ago, is already backed by Uber founders Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp, along with former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.

Beacon is also a supply chain finance firm that provides real-time data of cargo delivery and a marketplace view of global shipping costs and prices.

“With digitalization accelerating globally as a result of COVID-19, we believe the future of the traditional freight forwarder is more precarious than ever,” CEO Fraser Robinson said in a statement.

Beacon, whose logistic services include global ocean, air and truck freight, said the funds raised will be invested in new hires, technology and market expansion.

Amazon did not immediately respond to request for comment.


(Reporting by Maria Ponnezhath; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)

Logistics News

Port Nelson Deploys 5G Network

Port Nelson Deploys 5G Network

Port of Corpus Christi: Deep Water and Big Energy

Port of Corpus Christi: Deep Water and Big Energy

Western Russian Ports See Increase in Oil Exports in First Half of May

Western Russian Ports See Increase in Oil Exports in First Half of May

Cocoa Falls to Two-Week Low Alongside Sugar

Cocoa Falls to Two-Week Low Alongside Sugar

Subscribe for Maritime Logistics Professional E‑News

Adani Group stocks rise after US drops fraud charges against Gautam Adani
Hapag-Lloyd and CMA CGM shippers suspend Cuba bookings following US executive order
Comoros suspends fuel price hikes after deadly protests