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

ZIM Q2 Profit Jumps as Transpacific Strength, Higher Rates Lift Results

ZIM Q2 Profit Jumps as Transpacific Strength, Higher Rates Lift Results

New GHG Data Framework for RoRo Vessel

New GHG Data Framework for RoRo Vessel

SOHAR Port Cargo Throughput Jumps 52% in First Half of 2026

SOHAR Port Cargo Throughput Jumps 52% in First Half of 2026

Hormuz Traffic Slows as Uncertainty Persists

Hormuz Traffic Slows as Uncertainty Persists

Subscribe for Maritime Logistics Professional E‑News

Mexico races to remove record seaweed growth from Caribbean beaches
Oil spillage off Oman is threatening to cause a disaster as two slicks are seen in the Gulf
US puts pressure on EU to "deliver" on non-tariff commitments