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- The venture studio "Schenker Ventures" by MVP Factory and DB Schenker has established itself as a key driver of innovation in the logistics sector
- Six logistics startups have been launched to date
- Two successful follow-on external financings totaling over 3 million euros were achieved.
Berlin, October 15, 2024 – DB Schenker, one of the world's leading logistics service providers, and MVP Factory, a leading European digital venture & product builder, are celebrating three years of successful collaboration. The partnership, launched in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, established the venture studio as the heart of "Schenker Ventures." Schenker Ventures also includes DB Schenker’s internal venture-building unit and venture capital branch. Since its inception, Schenker Ventures has become a prominent player in the logistics startup ecosystem, recently achieving significant milestones, like follow-on funding for portfolio startup Northbound.
Venture Studio Model as a Startup Incubator – Six New Companies Launched
Northbound, a logistics start-up within the venture studio, recently secured €1.3 million in pre-seed funding, with investors including Schenker Ventures, Apex Black, Id4 Ventures, and IBB Ventures, the venture capital arm of the Investment Bank of Berlin. Northbound’s AI-powered SaaS solution helps large retailers and manufacturers prevent potential disruptions and costly delays in container flow management by leveraging real-time data and AI agents. The startup successfully validated its solution early on with a German sportswear manufacturer.
Previously, OPTO, which helps companies manage their cash flow and optimize their accounting processes, had raised €1.75 million in external funding.
Another startup, RELI focuses on commercial truck fleet insurance, rewarding safe driving with fair pricing. Its risk analysis platform uses real-time telematics and contextual data to optimize insurance strategies for SME fleet owners in Europe, ultimately aiming to reduce accident rates and promote safer driving.
Three other startups are currently in various stages of development, including Venderly, which optimizes e-commerce supply chains based on detailed analytics. Venderly’s founders recently secured financing from Schenker Ventures.
Schenker Ventures as a Pioneer in Germany
With Schenker Ventures, new business models are developed to address the most pressing challenges in logistics and supply chains today. DB Schenker's corporate venturing unit holds only minority stakes in the startups, enabling them to grow into key innovation drivers with the support of external investors. The collaboration between DB Schenker and MVP Factory represents Germany's first corporate venture studio model, successfully combining the benefits of corporate venture building and corporate venture capital.
"We aim to be the driving force behind new ideas in the logistics industry and shape a digital and sustainable future," says Patric Hoffmann, SVP Global Ventures & Innovation at DB Schenker. "With the launch of Schenker Ventures and our partnership with MVP Factory, we opened a new chapter for startups in the logistics sector. The feedback we've received from the industry and the startup ecosystem has been overwhelmingly positive, and the successful follow-on financings speak for themselves."
Johannes Simon, Managing Partner at MVP Factory, adds: "Big ideas need entrepreneurial freedom. That's why we wanted founders to retain control of their companies. To achieve this, we created an environment where they not only retain ownership and strategic freedom but also gain access to the resources they need to succeed. We are delighted to have a partner in DB Schenker who shares this philosophy. The bold decision to launch this studio together has paid off."
How Schenker Ventures Works
Schenker Ventures Studio was launched in 2021 in collaboration with MVP Factory. The interdisciplinary team from MVP Factory brings together expertise in venture creation, VC know-how, and an extensive network spanning the startup and corporate worlds.
Over the past three years, the digital venture & product builder has analyzed more than 200 ideas as part of Schenker Ventures’ structured venture-building process, conducting over 400 interviews with experts, potential customers, and decision-makers in the logistics industry. Out of the 200 collected ideas, more than 70 have been validated for market feasibility, leading to the creation of six startups to date.
Operating independently from the corporate structure, the studio attracts top entrepreneurial talent and venture capital, enabling rapid idea development and high scalability. To identify the best talent for the next startups, more than 550 founders have been interviewed. The selected founders are provided with all the key resources needed to start successful businesses, including capital, mentorship, and expertise.
"The venture studio allows us to focus on innovative, future-oriented topics, giving us a strategic advantage in the logistics space," summarizes Patric Hoffmann.
About MVP Factory:
MVP Factory is one of Europe’s leading digital venture & product builders. Using agile methods, startup speed, and a clear focus on creating tangible value for customers, the company has launched over 300 products and corporate ventures, working with clients such as DB Schenker, Bertelsmann, JobRad, Henkel, and the Cyber Innovation Hub of the German Armed Forces. MVP Factory was founded in 2017 by tech entrepreneur Philipp Petrescu in Berlin and became part of the U.S. software specialist Ness Digital Engineering in 2023. The team consists of over 70 digital experts with backgrounds in entrepreneurship, design, product management, software development, and growth marketing.
About DB Schenker and Schenker Ventures:
DB Schenker, with around 72,700 employees at over 1,850 locations in more than 130 countries, is one of the world's leading logistics providers. The company offers land transport, air and ocean freight, comprehensive logistics solutions, and global supply chain management from a single source. With a focus on creating a sustainable future for the logistics industry, DB Schenker continuously invests in innovative transport solutions, renewable energy, and low-emission products for its customers.
Schenker Ventures supports entrepreneurs in building transformative companies in the fields of logistics and supply chain management. Beyond capital, founders benefit from industry knowledge, expert support, and access to DB Schenker’s global network. Schenker Ventures’ investment scope includes B2B-XaaS solutions in logistics and supply chain, with initial investments ranging from €0.5 to €5 million from seed stage to Series B financing rounds.
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