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Companies want and expect innovation from their 3PLs, and as one of the world’s largest logistics platforms we’re focused on continuing to deliver new and innovative technology built by and for supply chain experts. We recently announced our latest innovation, Procure IQ™, which reimagines the way shippers purchase transportation.Developed inside our innovation incubator Robinson Labs, Procure IQ uses predictive analytics, artificial intelligence and C.H. Robinson’s unmatched dataset with billions of transactions from a community of 200,000 unique carriers and shippers, to provide our customers with a roadmap of the most optimal procurement and capacity strategies. As a result, shippers can analyze each specific freight lane through a comparative pricing, volume and service analysis. This uncovers where they could capture increased savings and service reliability by purchasing that transportation outside of the traditional annual bidding processand confirms where the annual RFP is the optimal choice. Procure IQ was developed in coordination with our customers as the historic market volatility and emerging challenges from COVID-19 pressured transportation plans and fiscal commitments. We engaged dozens of customers in Robinson Labs and identified opportunities through the insights from the supply chain experts, data scientists and engineers engaged in the cross functional effort. Our work together has led toa product and approach that will enhance the way transportation is purchased.
The global supply chain market (SCM) is an untapped gold mine, valued between $20.98B and $36.72B and projected to surge to $194.28B by 2033. Cloud-based SCM alone could reach $23.4B by 2027. Pressure on the system is mounting from volatile demand, geopolitical shocks, cost-cutting mandates, and outdated infrastructure. Technology, ranging from AI-powered data unification to real-time freight tracking and fraud prevention, acts as the release valve, enabling the supply chain to run faster, smarter, and more resiliently. But in a market this complex, you need industry specialists who have charted these waters before and turned strategic bets into outsized wins. That navigator is Venture 53, a pure-play fund dedicated to supply chain technology. Since its inception, it has focused on spotting bold, visionary founders tackling the industry’s toughest challenges and guiding their growth, delivering stronger outcomes and better exits for investors. The firm’s early investments have already generated returns, fueled by the backing of its 45+ Limited Partners (LPs). These LPs include freight veterans who have lived the industry from the inside out, outsiders from adjacent sectors like CPG who understand adoption dynamics, multi-generational builders with deep operational expertise, and visionaries who have built, scaled, and exited major companies. Together, they know which supply chain technologies will scale, which will stall, and how to position them for success. With deep domain expertise and a tightly aligned support network, Venture 53’s fund model is built to accelerate execution and amplify outcomes across supply chain investments. Fast Returns, Fierce Tech Bets Venture 53 has already raised three funds to date. Several of those portfolio companies have redefined the freight and supply chain landscape, solving multi-billion-dollar problems with defense-grade technology and AI-driven intelligence. “We’re on track to return all our investors’ capital in under three years, which is unheard of. That speaks to both execution and resilience,” says Pat Martin, founder. At present, the company is actively preparing for its next round of capital deployment, refocusing on seed and Series A. With its previous funds fully invested, the company is excited to back the next wave of bold, innovative startups transforming supply chain tech. Proof in Performance Venture 53 has built a proven support system for founders, aligning them with seasoned mentors and analysts who identify where emerging technologies fit in the market. A key focus is using technology to unify jagged freight data, enabling faster scaling and quicker adoption by customers. .
Adopting the latest technologies to monitor drivers and cargo has become the norm in the freight and transportation sector. In this techdriven era, where businesses compete to provide real-time updates on the safety and performance of their fleets, the value of balancing innovation with a human touch is often overlooked. This is where Issa Freight LLC shines, with its end-to-end and peoplecentric asset and logistics services. “Issa Freight LLC always finds that middle ground. We use technology for things like automatic updates and other tasks for improving process efficiencies; simultaneously, we understand the value of building a human experience by picking up the phone and talking to a client and typing out the messages instead of choosing automation,” says Michael Rozel, director of operations/sales at Issa Freight LLC. A client-centric organization dedicated to rapidly responding to inquiries, Issa Freight LLC consistently aligns with their preferences by actively seeking carriers with the right competencies. It begins with a thorough assessment of customer needs before finding a partner to meet the desired specifications. Regardless of the project scope, the company takes a personalized approach and stays connected with them throughout the engagement. Issa Freight LLC provides dedicated account managers to effectively handle the intricacies of every engagement. This methodology augments customer service through a focused point of contact and showcases the company’s emphasis on people-centricity. Even internally, Issa Freight LLC strives to prioritize workload balance and prevent overwork to keep their workforce at the top of their game without getting overwhelmed. Constantly maintaining a high level of client satisfaction, it strives to enhance the overall effectiveness of account management.
In today’s fast-paced and interconnected global market, where companies must navigate challenges like shifting sourcing needs and evolving consumer expectations, the demand for efficient logistics and supply chain management has never been greater. Boss Strategy Global Inc. has emerged as an enduring partner in this space, offering top-tier third-party logistics (3PL) services that go beyond traditional operations. By integrating global sourcing, brand representation and long-standing client relationships, the company stands out for excellence across every facet of its operations. Its brand support spans warehousing, distribution, marketing and packaging design. Meeting Diverse Brand Needs with Global Sourcing Global sourcing is central to its 3PL services, which Boss Strategy approaches not just as a cost-cutting measure but as a strategic advantage. Mapping materials, products and services from the most advantageous global locations, it has an extensive network of partners and suppliers that ensure clients receive the best value in cost, quality and responsiveness. “Our sourcing strategy is about finding the right option, not just the cheapest,” says Sean Zacot, president and CEO. “We evaluate potential suppliers based on reliability, ethical practices and their ability to meet specific client needs, ensuring every product meets the high standards expected by the brands we represent.” Building Bridges in the Global Market Beyond logistics and sourcing, Boss Strategy excels in brand representation, acting as a corporate ambassador to ensure clients’ identities and values are faithfully represented in the marketplace.
Burak Cendek, Partner, Autotech Ventures
Llew Claasen, General Partner, Newtown Partners
Tim Draper, Founding Partner, DFJ
Rob Trice, Founding Partner, Better Food Ventures
Paul Asel, Cofounder & Managing Partner, NGP Capital
Building Smarter Supply Chains Through Sustainable Technology and Data
Global logistics has spent decades optimizing for cost. Now it's optimizing for intelligence and the difference is more profound than it sounds. Capital, data and execution are finally converging. Venture investors are backing startups that bring AI-driven forecasting, automation and end-to-end visibility into the daily mechanics of moving goods. These aren't moonshot technologies; they're pragmatic tools designed to reduce friction and anticipate shocks before they cascade. Freight brokerage tells the story clearly. What was once a business of phone calls and spreadsheets now operates on intelligent platforms that match shippers and carriers in real-time, dynamically optimize routes and deliver transparent pricing. It's fundamentally more responsive. Third-party logistics providers are evolving in parallel, transitioning from vendors to strategic partners that strike a balance between efficiency and resilience. The old model treated logistics as a commodity. The new one recognizes it as infrastructure that either enables or constrains everything else a business does. The market reflects this maturation: supply chain venture capital is projected to reach $529.2 billion by 2030, growing at an annual rate of 13.84 percent. Freight brokerage services are expected to expand by $124.31 billion at 8.48 percent, while 3PL services grow to $48.59 billion at 6.13 percent. For an industry built on moving things, logistics itself is finally moving, toward anticipation, adaptation and genuine intelligence. This magazine features thought leadership articles from Rob Trice, Founding Partner at Better Food Ventures and Steve Westly, Managing Partner of The Westly Group, who share insights on digital traceability and green accounting, as well as open data frameworks that enable resilient and sustainable commerce. In this edition, featuring leaders redefining supply chain venture capital, freight brokerage service providers and 3PL service providers, we hope you find the right partner to meet your organization’s needs.
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