FreshX

We're thrilled to announce the closing of our $2.7M pre-seed round for FreshX! The complexity in cold-chain logistics is exploding, and manual processes are breaking down. Lance Hackney and I saw this firsthand when we launched a freight brokerage last year before shutting it down to build FreshX. FreshX brings cold-chain pricing and schedules online, to help freight brokers and food shippers optimize and manage temperature-controlled logistics. Through pricing and routing transparency, we're working towards our vision of "network-level optimization", where the right carriers are running the right routes and empty miles are eliminated. We're starting with the thorniest problem in cold-chain logistics: temp-controlled or "reefer" LTL. Today, managing reefer LTL is a laborious and slow process and many companies just book full, mostly empty tucks as a result. With our current platform live in beta testing, FreshX makes booking reefer LTL as smooth as buying an airplane ticket. Thanks to our many exceptional investors in the round, including Valor Equity Partners, Caruso Ventures, LongJump, OCA Ventures, Origin Ventures, Bob Chappuis, Clayton Stroner, Ronald Ramsey, Chad Eichelberger, and many others. Also thanks to our advisors Matt Silver and Lars Ward, as well as NVC professors Mark Tebbe and Steven Kaplan. And last but not least, thanks to the many carriers, brokers, and shippers that are working with us on our beta. We’re grateful to have such phenomenal partners helping us shape our platform every day.

We’re excited to announce our partnership with BADGER STATE WESTERN, INC.! Badger State Western, a family-owned and operated carrier, specializes in temperature-controlled LTL services across the Midwest, South, and Western US. With over 45 years of experience, a fleet of 60 refrigerated trucks, and two warehouses, BSW has established itself as a trusted name in the industry. Many thanks to Katie Razink, Brian Stashek, and Robert Nicholds for working with us on the implementation! Thanks to this partnership, FreshX users can now enjoy instant pricing and scheduling on freight with Badger State Western.

I asked Clay Curran about some of the funny and embarrassing stories from when FreshX first opened. Full video podcast: https://lnkd.in/gT-A-nSu Audio links in the comments! Thanks to our sponsor, Salesdash CRM.

Congratulations to FreshX for winning the Rattan L. Khosa First-Place Prize of a record-breaking $1,000,000 in investment at the 28th Annual Edward L. Kaplan, '71, New Venture Challenge (NVC). FreshX is a supply chain software company that helps food companies and freight brokers easily book and manage cold-chain transportation and storage. A huge thanks to all of our teams, 2024 sponsors, and distinguished judges for making this year's event a success.

We were featured in the latest newsletter and podcast from ThinkFreight! Tune in on Spotify/YouTube to hear our CEO, Clay Curran, discuss the platform we're building to solve temp-controlled LTL. Many thanks for Thomas Werdine for having us!

We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with Budreck Truck Lines, Inc.! Budreck is a leading Midwest refrigerated less-than-truckload (LTL) carrier with service to 48 states, averaging 2,000 shipments per week. With over 50 years in the industry as a family-owned and operated business, Budreck is a pillar in nationwide distribution for Chicago-based food businesses. Through the partnership, FreshX users will have access to instant pricing and scheduling with Budreck. Many thanks to Tim Johnson, Deanna Subler, and the team for working with us on the integration!

We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with Kottke Trucking, Inc.! Kottke is a family-owned and operated refrigerated carrier founded in 1938, with refrigerated LTL operations from FL/GA up the east coast to many leading grocery chains and retailers. Kottke manages a fleet of over 200 trucks and 250 reefer trailers. Through the partnership, FreshX users will have access to instant pricing and booking with Kottke. Many thanks to Kyle Kottke and Rafael Gomez for working with us on the integration!

We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with Northern Refrigerated Transportation! Northern Refrigerated is an established, full service refrigerated #LTL carrier located in California. Their fleet of over 200 refrigerated trucks and cold storage warehousing facilities in Northern California, Southern California, and Oregon support operations across 6 states on the West Coast. Through the partnership, FreshX users will have access to instant pricing and scheduling with Northern Refrigerated. Many thanks to Shaundel Stonecipher and Ricky Souza for working with us on the integration. 

We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with Lanter Distributing! Lanter is a leading temp-controlled #LTL carrier and family-owned business with over 50 years of expertise. With multi-temp facilities in St. Louis, Chicago, Kansas City, Memphis, Nashville, Atlanta, and Dallas, Lanter is well equipped to handle frozen, chilled, or ambient logistics efficiently across the Midwest and Southern states. Through the partnership, FreshX users will have access to instant pricing and scheduling with Lanter. Many thanks to Ryan Behrmann for working with us on the integration!

We're thrilled to announce our partnership with Minuteman Transport Inc.! Minuteman is a family-owned and operated refrigerated LTL trucking company on the West Coast, with 50+ years of expertise serving California, Nevada, and Arizona. Minuteman's 92,000 sq ft multi-temp warehouse in Los Angeles and fleet of 53’ to 20’ refrigerated trucks provide comprehensive LTL and TL service and coverage across the West. Through the partnership, FreshX users will have access to instant pricing and scheduling with Minuteman. Many thanks to Pete Amundson for working with us on the integration!