French shipping and logistics company CMA CGM is expected to launch ZEBOX UK this month. ZEBOX was founded by its CEO Rodolphe Saadé in 2018. ZEBOX connects the innovation of global start-ups to industry leaders. The company believes that industries can be transformed when like-minded start-ups collaborate with industry partners.
“With five universities, attractive financial incentives for entrepreneurs, and a growing number of sustainable development initiatives, Manchester offers incredible start-up ecosystem potential. Manchester is also one of the UK’s dominant tech hubs and outperforms much larger cities on the continent,” CMA CGM says.
Start-ups apply to join the ZEBOX. The ZEBOX community now stands at 20 partners and 200 start-ups. Since its inception, ZEBOX has initiated over 100 collaborations and raised 235 million euros ($249,100 000).
ZEBOX gives start-ups fuel for growth
The company has various programs tailored to what a specific start-up will need. It connects start-ups with industry experts and investors to set these new companies on their way. Partners with ZEBOX include companies such as BNSF Railway.
Start-ups who join with ZEBOX get access to exclusive resources and services. It also allows these companies to get featured and does demos for clients. ZEBOX has assisted companies like Blume Global, which WiseTech Global acquired earlier this year.
ZEBOX investing in shipping and logistics start-ups
The company’s new UK hub will connect global logistics leaders and start-ups in France, North America, the Caribbean, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region. This will have the potential to see these start-ups grow and scale. “Since CMA CGM first established an office in Liverpool in 1990, the Group has significantly expanded its presence and now counts 6,000 staff members across five offices, including the Group’s Europe regional office, which is now based in London,” the company says.
Head of the Europe region of the CMA CGM Group, Audrey Dolhen, says the company aims to find innovative solutions to an ever-changing business landscape. “CMA CGM and ZEBOX UK are on a mission to create the premier center of innovation for supply chain and logistics in the United Kingdom,” she says.
Furthermore, ZEBOX has another initiative, ZEBOX Ventures, a seed fund for French and international start-ups. The fund aims each year to invest in shipping and logistics optimization, decarbonization, energy transition, and artificial intelligence.
In June 2023, ZEBOX opened a hub in Abidjan. This hub supports eight start-ups in the field of mobility, logistics and healthcare.
CMA CGM is one of the largest container shipping companies in the world with a presence in 160 countries through its 755 agencies, and operates 257 shipping lines. The company recorded a global revenue of $74 billion in 2022. CMA CGM owns a number of subsidiaries and brands including APL in Singapore and CEVA Logistics.
About the author
Sharl is a qualified journalist. He has over 10 years’ experience in the media industry, including positions as an editor of a magazine and Business Editor of a daily newspaper. Sharl also has experience in logistics specifically operations, where he worked with global food aid organisations distributing food into Africa. Sharl enjoys writing business stories and human interest pieces.
