Photo: IML
The competition for the digital logistics prize at the Future Congress Logistics in Dortmund, which is specifically focused on IT solutions, differs slightly from, for example, the Swiss Logistics Award. Seven finalists were given three minutes to present their solutions.
Fast speakers definitely have an advantage here. And since the language is English, an international ranking could be compiled once again. Among them was a Ghanaian start-up called Swoove, whose CEO, Kwaku Tabuti, joined the discussion online. "90 percent of all logistics companies fail in Africa," he said, referring to his mobile app designed to make delivery processes safer. "There are already other apps of this kind on the market," he admitted. "But ours is specifically tailored to Ghanaian needs and circumstances.".
Live link: "Swoove" from Ghana
The first prize, announced at an evening event in the halls of the "Phoenix des Lumières" art exhibition, goes to "Mansio" for a software-based transport system for road freight. The system is based on the concept of reciprocal traffic: during a transport, one truck hands over its semi-trailer to another truck halfway through the journey. Maik Schürmeyer from Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences explains the "Truck meets Truck" principle. He notes that it even corresponds to the average battery range of current electric trucks. "And the drivers are home in the evening," Schürmeyer adds. Not bad either: the first prize comes with a €15,000 award.
Photo: klk
Second place goes to the north: The Hamburg-based start-up CO2OPT presents an intelligent method for tire optimization for vehicle fleets. By comparing vehicle profiles with the optimal tire options, the system aims to enable an effective reduction in emissions and costs in fleet management.
A second Aachen-based startup also impressed the audience and jury: The consortium initiative "bobbie for 1Lieferschein" presented its innovative concept for a special "1Lieferschein" format and secured third place. The vision of this initiative extends beyond its own business: It aims to establish the digital delivery note as the standard both within and outside the construction industry. Founder Alexander Gran from Aachen presents "bobbie" as a consortium that wants to digitize the paperwork – and thus solve a "key pain point" that "many struggle with.".
Photo: IML
With a total prize money of €24,000, the Digital Logistics Award is one of the most prestigious awards in the logistics start-up scene. This year, with 54 applications from 18 countries and 4 continents, the award boasted its largest and most international field of participants to date in the competition for this renowned innovation prize for start-ups, startups, and innovation teams.
Photo: IML
The prize money is provided by Digital Hub Logistics, startport GmbH, and the Open Logistics Foundation. This year's expert jury consisted of Andrea Peters (startport GmbH), Andreas Nettsträter (Open Logistics Foundation), Carina Tüllmann (Open Logistics Foundation), Angela Bisping (Axxum Innovation GmbH), Boris Jeggle (Rhenus Special Delivery), Jörg Wamser (FTTF – Fraunhofer Technology Transfer Fund), Patric Hoffmann (DB Schenker), Andreas Werner (Swisslog GmbH), and Robert Bach (Beam GmbH).
Julian Jakubiak / klk
