Southeast is a natural space for startups building in the supply chain and logistics space. The region is where giants like UPS, FedEx, FreightWaves, and Manhattan Associates have set up shop. It is also home to some of the country’s most important airports and shipping ports.
Over the last decade, the region has seen many supply chain and logistics-focused startups get started (and even grow to unicorn status) from their headquarters in the Southeast. So for our latest We Asked, The Answered series, we wanted to hear directly from local successful supply chain founders.
This week, we asked supply chain founders and CEOs all the same question:
What is one piece of advice you’d share with someone looking to build in the supply chain space?
Their advice could help early-stage founders understand how to build in the evolving industry.
Here are the nuggets of advice:
Sean Henry, Founder and CEO of Stord
Stord has been one of the fastest-growing omnichannel fulfillment and integrated software that is backed by VCs like Franklin Templeton, Kleiner Perkins, Bond, Lux Capital, and Salesforce Ventures. Read up on previous Hypepotamus reporting on Stord here.
“Stay customer obsessed and focused on your mission. The landscape will change, your customers’ needs will change, and your business may even change. But if you keep the customer first and relentlessly execute on your mission, you’ll achieve incredible outcomes.”
Kevin Boyce, CEO of Tampa-based Advantive
Advantive is a mission-critical software provider for specialty manufacturing and distribution businesses.
BOYCE’S ADVICE: “One of the most important things to focus on in the supply chain and logistics space is scalability. Success in supply chain is about more than reacting to today’s challenges, it’s about anticipating what tomorrow, next quarter, and next year will bring. Scalable technology helps businesses achieve their goals as they grow and prevents business disruptions associated with ripping out and replacing systems every few years. It’s also prudent to broaden the tech search beyond a software’s capabilities and assess the software provider’s ability to grow with your business through economic headwinds and tailwinds. With the proper digital capabilities and partners to guide you, companies can improve supply-chain process efficiency, productivity, safeguard revenue and reputation, and achieve long-term success.”
Alex Rhodeen, Supply Chain Catalyst at ATDC
Rhodeen, who has been building in the supply chain startup space for much of his career, is now helping build the next generation of Atlanta-based supply chain and logistics teams at ATDC.
Rhodeen’s Advice: “The best supply chain solutions are those that benefit end users such as warehouse workers, truck drivers, and delivery personnel. These workers typically have low-tech profiles and are comfortable with text messaging, email, and online ordering. To create an effective solution, you must understand their challenges firsthand. If you haven’t worked in a warehouse, driven a truck, or made deliveries, your solution is unlikely to address their real pain points. Having done all these jobs myself, I know they can be tough, so anything that makes them easier is highly valuable to the worker and their company.”
Matt Fain, Co-Founder and CEO of PopCapacity
PopCapacity, described as the “Airbnb for warehouse space,” has been growing since early 2020 to help transform the 3PL warehousing space.
Fain’s Advice: “The supply chain is very complex. These complexities have been managed by people and antiquated processes for decades. To make an impactful change in such a legacy industry you must look towards technology and AI. From simple tasks like procurement, to complex tasks like production, technology will become a standard. Empowering people to do more with less.”
Mike Malakhov, Founder & CEO of Carpool Logistics
What is one piece of advice you’d share with someone looking to build in the supply chain space?
Malakhov’s Advice: “Developing solutions in supply chain and logistics involves creating efficiencies and minimizing waste. Ensure that your startup upholds the same values of efficiency and lean management. The industry is subject to cyclical fluctuations and unpredictable capital availability; however, building a profitable business with sound fundamentals is always valuable.”
Paul Noble, Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Verusen
Atlanta-based Verusen is a leading MRO Inventory Optimization and Collaboration provider focused on helping global asset-intensive manufacturers streamline their supply and materials management strategy.
Noble’s Advice: “Look to identify the major gaps that exist between supply chain systems and processes that are inhibiting people from maximizing valuable outcomes for their organizations and their functions. There remains a big disconnect between the promises of IT and technology for the business stakeholders looking for support. That’s the opportunity you want to find and build.”
