ZeKju completes a Funding Round led by 20VC to accelerate the digitalization of road transport communication.
The round was led by 20VC, with participation from 20Sales, 20Growth, Prequel Ventures, SDAC and Combination Ventures and notable angel investors including Des Traynor (Co-Founder Intercom), Nico Rosberg (Founder Rosberg Ventures & Formula 1 Champion), Pat Cummins (Captain, Australia Cricket Team) and Mario Götze (Soccer Player at Eintracht Frankfurt & Business Angel).
Industry fragmentation, a high degree of subcontracting and the overarching trend of ‘app fatigue’ represent major obstacles to mass-digitalisation of road transport communication. ZeKju addresses these challenges by replacing the need to install new apps by enabling truck drivers to communicate using their favorite messenger service, e.g. WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber. By adding automation, backend-system integrations, real-time translation and GDPR compliance, ZeKju has developed the infrastructure for an industry-wide digital communication standard.
As of July 2024, ZeKju supports around 30,000 transports per month. Its customer base comprises 35+ Supply Chain companies incl. market leaders such as AGRAVIS, Berger Logistik, Dachser, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, NOSTA Group and Redspher. 5,500+ truck drivers are using ZeKju regularly.
The European market for road transport communication is estimated at around €3bn annually. The industry value creation potential from digitalised and seamless communication far exceeds this figure. Due to industry fragmentation and a high share of subcontracting, error-prone and time-consuming email and phone chains are still common in this industry, which has been the case for decades. Digitalised communication provides truck drivers and dispatchers with quicker and more precise information and provides shippers with better visibility over transport progress.
The company will invest the funds acquired in this Financing round to expand its Customer Success Management Team and to further improve the Connectivity of its solutions with Shippers’ and Freight Forwarders’ Transport Management System (TMS). Furthermore, funds will be used to accelerate internationalisation with a particular focus on Eastern Europe.
ZeKju’s Co-Founders and Managing Directors are Dr. Hendrik Rosenboom and Max-Alexander Borreck. Both know the challenges of digitalisation in the Transport & Logistics industry ‘inside out’. Prior to starting ZeKju, Dr. Hendrik Rosenboom served as CIO and CDO of DKV Euro Service, Europe’ Fuel Card and Tolling Solutions market leader. Max-Alexander Borreck was a Partner in the Transport & Logistics Practice of Oliver Wyman. The first ZeKju applications were developed in close collaboration with Transport & Logistics digitalisation frontrunners such as Redspher, NOSTA Group, DACHSER, Transporeon, a Trimble company and KRONE Telematics.
Max-Alexander Borreck, Co-Founder of ZeKju said: “Consumer Messengers have become a de facto communication standard in Road Transport. Adding our ZeKju layer comprising of automation, backend system integration and GDPR compliance provides the infrastructure for digtial communication across this huge industry.”
Kieran Hill, Partner, 20VC, commented, “It’s not often you find a team with clear founder-market fit, building transformational technology in logistics, with real traction, blue chip customers and a willingness to work alongside customers mornings, nights and weekends. ZeKju ticks all of these boxes. We are delighted to lead ZeKju’s round and build the next generation communications infrastructure for supply chain and logistics.”
Dave Anderson, Managing Partner of Supply Chain Ventures added: “Transport communication and real-time data on truck movement is critical to improving carrier efficiencies, enhancing customer visibility to shipment progress, and tracking sustainability goals. ZeKju enables seamless and painless driver communication to support these goals. We are early investors and very pleased with ZeKju’s progress in rolling out these capabilities across the European Road Transport sector.”
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About ZeKju
ZeKju is a Munich-based startup focusing on reinventing the communication infrastructure for supply chain and logistics companies. Founded by industry experts ZeKju enables truck drivers to use their favorite messengers, such as WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber, to exchange transport-related information and is therefore simplifying transport communication and optimizing supply chain and logistic processes.
For more information, visit www.zekju.com.
Press contact: Vivien Addai (vaddai@zekju.com; +49 821 6505 8596)
About 20VC
20VC operates at the intersection of venture and media. Founded by Harry Stebbings, the entrepreneur behind the 20VC podcast, 20VC launched its $140m Fund in 2021, focused on Seed & Series A. Its unparalleled network, extensive sector reach and unique distribution capabilities enable it to identify and back the next generation of founders building category defining companies, across the world.
20VC has backed unicorns such as Remote, Linktree, Sorare and more, and is an investor in category leaders such as Pachama, Tripledot Studios and Merge.
Contact: Kieran Hill, Partner at 20VC (kieran@20vc.com)
