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

Baku Port Handles 37% More Containers in 2025

Baku Port Handles 37% More Containers in 2025

International Flag-State Association Looks to Advancing Role in Policymaking

International Flag-State Association Looks to Advancing Role in Policymaking

The Northwest Seaport Alliance Retires Two Legacy Cranes from Terminal 7

The Northwest Seaport Alliance Retires Two Legacy Cranes from Terminal 7

Barbara Scheel Agersnap Steps Down as Copenhagen Malmö Port CEO

Barbara Scheel Agersnap Steps Down as Copenhagen Malmö Port CEO

Subscribe for Maritime Logistics Professional E‑News

Black Sea CPC Blend oil exported at 1.65M bpd in January, according to sources
Ukraine strikes Russian "shadow fleet" tanker in Mediterranean
Boeing asks FAA for an emissions waiver in order to sell 35 more 777F freighters