marine link image

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

Singapore: Container Ship Fire Extinguished

Singapore: Container Ship Fire Extinguished

US Navy to Block Ships from Iranian Ports

US Navy to Block Ships from Iranian Ports

Port Tampa Bay Welcomes Container Vessel with Largest Carrying Capacity

Port Tampa Bay Welcomes Container Vessel with Largest Carrying Capacity

Shipping Traffic Near Antwerp Slowed Due to Oil Spill

Shipping Traffic Near Antwerp Slowed Due to Oil Spill

Subscribe for Maritime Logistics Professional E‑News

As US-Iran talks fail, major Gulf markets are affected.
Canada's Carney is set to win a majority government in the special elections
Trump: US will block the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible