ZEBOX, an international accelerator network founded by shipping conglomerate CMA CGM to bring more technological innovation to the supply chain industry, today announced the launch of its APAC headquarters. Based in Singapore, ZEBOX Asia will also target markets such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan and Korea.
The APAC center is supported by Enterprise Singapore, a board of the Ministry of Trade and Industry to encourage SME development, and the Ports and Maritime Authority of Singapore, along with industry partners Bureau Veritas Marine and Offshore, PSA unboxed and Synergy Marine Group.
Founded in 2018 by CMA CGM Group Chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saadé, ZEBOX already has centers in France, the United States, the United Kingdom, West Africa and the Caribbean, which have collectively worked with 100 startups raising a total of $235 million in funding. It has 20 corporate partners that startups collaborate with while in the ZEBOX incubator, including BNP Paribas, CEVA Logistics, Infosys, BNSG Railway, Port of Virginia, and Centrime.
ZEBOX CEO Gwen Salley told TechCrunch that along with access to mentors, experts, business opportunities and funding, its incubator program provides opportunities for startups to test its solutions and work with large corporations. For corporate partners, the advantage is working with startups that can address their specific business challenges and engage in proof-of-concept without risk.
The incubator network chose Singapore as its newest hub because it is home to more than 4,000 regional headquarters and startups and has business-friendly policies, an efficient regulatory framework, transparent legal and financial systems, and a strong digital infrastructure, Salley said. . “In addition, the city-state’s strategic location at the crossroads of major shipping lines and air routes connects much of Asia with the rest of the world, making it a global logistics hub,” she added.
Some examples of startups incubated by ZEBOX include maritime routeswhich uses routing engines and predictive data to show shippers how much CO2 emissions they are producing at key points in the purchasing chain and sublime energy, a deep tech startup focusing on biogas liquefaction technology and providing biogas collection services. Both participated in ZEBOX France.
basic blockwho participated in ZEBOX America and hasgrossed over $78 million in financing, automates invoices and develops financial products for the freight transport industry. Expedock, also of ZEBOX America, has raised more than $20 million and automates freight documents, payment reconciliation and other manual processes. Meanwhile, SMO solar processwho participated in Zebox Caribbeans, developed a technology based on solar energy that converts carbon-based waste into other materials, such as hydrogen, biochar and carbon dust.
ZEBOX is looking for startups in four areas. One is operational efficiency, or technology that helps minimize the physical movements of goods in daily operations. Another is decarbonization and ZEBOX is looking at alternative fuels, net zero energy, asset recovery, green infrastructure, emissions tracking and reporting, and sustainable storage and distribution. This is an especially critical area for CMA CGM Group as it aims to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The company says it has already reduced carbon emissions per container shipped by 50% since 2008.
The third focus area, workflow automation, looks for startups that streamline and eliminate administrative tasks so companies can get more work done in less time. Ultimately, the future of work will focus on startups that can innovate in training, workplace safety, employee engagement, talent acquisition, hybrid work environments, ESG, and customer experience.
In a statement, Chief Executive Officer of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, Teo Eng Dih, said: “Starting companies play a critical role in transforming the maritime sector by generating value through their innovative solutions. By working with partners, MPA hopes to anchor more marine technology startups in Singapore to develop, test and commercialize new Singaporean products and services to benefit the global maritime community.”
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