ZEBOX, the international accelerator network founded by shipping conglomerate CMA CGM to introduce more tech innovation into the supply chain industry, has announced the launch of its APAC headquarters. ZEBOX Asia will be based in Singapore and will also look at markets in Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea.
The APAC hub is backed by Enterprise Singapore, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, alongside 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 hubs in France, the United States, the United Kingdom, West Africa, and the Caribbean.
It has collectively worked with 100 startups that have raised a total of $235 million in funding. It has 20 corporate partners that startups collaborate with while they are in ZEBOX’s incubator, including BNP Paribas, CEVA Logistics, Infosys, BNSG Railway, Port of Virginia, and Centrime.
The incubator network picked Singapore for its newest hub because of its pro-business policies, an efficient regulatory framework, transparent legal and financial systems, and strong digital infrastructure.
Additionally, the city-state’s strategic location at the crossroads of major shipping lines and air routes connects large parts of Asia to the rest of the world, making it a global logistics hub.
ZEBOX CEO Gwen Salley stated that along with access to mentoring, experts, business opportunities, and funding, its incubator program gives startups opportunities to test their 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 de-risked proof of concepts.
Some examples of startups incubated by ZEBOX include Searoutes, which uses routing engines and predictive data to show shippers how much CO2 emissions they’re producing at key points in the procurement chain, and Sublime Energie, a deeptech startup that focuses on biogas liquefaction tech and provides biogas collection services. BasicBlock, which took part in ZEBOX America and has raised more than $78 million in funding, automates invoices and develops financial products for the freight industry.
Expedock, also from ZEBOX America, has raised more than $20 million and automates freight documents, payable reconciliation, and other manual paperwork. Meanwhile, SMO Solar Process, which took part in Zebox Caribbeans, developed solar-based technology that turns carbon-based waste into other materials, like hydrogen, biochar, and carbon powder.
ZEBOX’s move into the Asia-Pacific region will likely increase its influence in the region’s supply chain industry by providing startups with the opportunity to tap into new markets and access funding and resources from corporate partners.
