Delivering value

• 500-backed logistics platform Parcel Perform has raised US$20 million in a Series A round led by Cambridge Capital, with participation from SoftBank Ventures Asia.
• The startup claims to manage over 100 million parcel-tracking updates daily, adding that its software-as-a-service platform has integrated with more than 700 carriers worldwide.
• The startup said it will use the fresh funding to build its technology offerings and invest further in artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. This includes expanding its proprietary prediction engine that lets customers know precisely when their parcels will arrive.
• Parcel Perform also has plans to establish a regional headquarters in North America and grow its staff size from 100 to 150 by the end of this year.
• Read the full article on The Business Times here.

A super job

• An interview with Filippo Candrini, the Managing Director of 500-backed HappyFresh Indonesia, revealed that the startup doubled its fleet numbers, gained new consumers, and improved its services over a short time during the pandemic.
• He said that the startup improved on both its backend and front-facing services, including providing contactless delivery, adding more payment methods, and introducing a new rewards program. “We don’t have any intention to become a super app. Instead, we want to be super at doing groceries for customers and our partners,” he added.
• Filippo shared that each city and service area in Indonesia requires a special approach. “We have formed partnerships with local supermarkets and national retail companies, as well as held programs to raise awareness of the benefits and convenience of online shopping for the household needs,” he said.
• In total, the platform has partnered with over 400 supermarkets and its services are available in 11 cities across Indonesia.
• Read the full article here.

An age-old problem

• Alvin Ea, co-founder and CEO of 500-backed logistics startup Haulio weighed in on the worsening port congestion in Southeast Asia.
• Founded in Singapore, the startup operates a digital platform matching hauliers with containers between a port and a customer’s warehouse. It claims to have more than 90% of the city’s hauliers on the platform.
• In Thailand, where it recently partnered with CMA CGM, it plans to leverage its digital solutions. “Having better visibility of demand forecast and resource management can ease congestion, as it allows information and resource pooling to be facilitated further,” he added.
• Haulio’s solution includes not only integration with the port community system to provide real-time information of vessel berthing schedules. It also provides live track and trace of inland container haulage beyond the port.
• Read the full article here.