TIME TO PARTY: Announcing a six-figure investment in the logistics startup IMPARGO
In July 2018, the two founders of IMPARGO, Julian Labeit and Gerhard Hänel, developed a simple website for toll calculation, the Mautex. Sounds not to fancy, right?
Well, now imagine this disastrous (but real) scenario: Germany extended tolls for trucks above 7.5 tonnes to all federal roads. Fees were now collected at additional 40 thousand kilometers of roads — but the affected companies, especially those dependent on logistics, were left unknown which additional costs they would have to face in the future. Weeks before the tax expansion, neither Toll Collect nor the responsible federal authority provided a suitable solution to calculate the upcoming tolls. Long story short, IMPARGO stepped in and saved the day.
We as investors urgently search for an innovative idea, designed by a brilliant team, that solves an existing problem and therefore has market need. Well, it seems like we found just that and that is why we backed the logistics startup IMPARGO with a six-digits investment!
Since 2018, IMPARGO has evolved from a simple online truck toll calculator to a logistics platform with over 10,000 users. With their CargoApps, they set new standards in transport planning. Now their mission is to turn traditional small and medium-sized transport service providers into serious competitors for new digital companies such as online forwarders or even Amazon.
With the focus on simple and fast operation, an innovative telematics app will soon be added to the existing platform that already features a truck route planner, a revised toll calculator and a transport management system. For a small fee of €14.90 per month, companies can use the extended version of the IMPARGO CargoApps with all functions.
“In contrast to other upcoming logistics startups, we do not interfere in the transport market.” states Gerhard Hänel, Managing Director of IMPARGO. He further explains: “IMPARGO is a neutral IT service provider that uses technology to enable traditional transport service providers to become more efficient and increase their service levels.”
We at First Momentum Ventures see an enormous potential in IMPARGO to create an effective network of numerous European companies in the logistics sector. The market potential is huge, considering that it is the third largest sector of our economy. Our investment is intended primarily for international growth and the expansion of the CargoApps Services. And to be completely honest, if you have ever used the highways around our hometown Karlsruhe, you will understand that we are always up for investing into a promising solutions for advanced logistics chains. Traffic chaos is real here!
IMPARGO, thanks for making our roads and the logistics sector a little bit better. It is a pleasure to welcome you in the FIRST MOMENTUM Family!
As a pre-seed investor, we help your startup to gain its first momentum by backing you with a first investment as well as world-class mentoring, a strong community, and the required know-how. Read more at firstmomentum.vc, stay up-to-date with our newsletter or get in touch through Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.
