September 05, 2021
Next-generation route optimization solution, Optiyol, received an investment of 810 thousand dollars from Ford Otosan's corporate venture capital company Driventure, Fark Holding, Dinçer Logistics, Coşkunöz Holding, and Arya Women Investment Platform. The total amount raised by the startup has reached 1.1 million dollars.
Founded by Tuba Gözbaşı and Ozan Gözbaşı, Optiyol provides a unique SaaS solution to many industries that carry out logistics operations - from FMCG to retail, from e-commerce to transportation. It digitizes both last-mile and long-haul transportation operations for its customers with algorithms specially designed for direct deliveries to customers.
Investors bring a strong experience in e-commerce and mobility which is in line with Optiyol’s vision to automate and optimize transportation. Özer Hıncal, Emin Ataç, Mustafa Dinçer, Utku Aytemur, Umut Kartal, Hakan Çevikoğlu, and Ahu Serter have met with Optiyol through the monthly startup pitching sessions organized by the Arya Women Investment Platform.
Optiyol is one of the two investments of the newly launched Driventure, Ford Otosan's corporate VC arm. With this investment, Optiyol solutions are expected to be used in Ford Otosan's heavy commercial brand Ford Trucks, and to create new last-mile delivery solutions.
Optiyol was a global finalist at the Seedstars World Competition in 2020 and a participant in the Pre-Explore Program of ERA Global that intends to provide valuable insights to Turkish startups and scaleups, interested in unlocking and expanding into the U.S. market. Optiyol also participates at the Startport Innovation Platform in Duisburg, Germany as one of the 30 startups. The ideas of the 30 startups range thematically from 3D printing, intralogistics, supply chain digitalization, fleet management, and route optimization to smart city topics.
Optiyol helps millions of shipments to be delivered on time at minimum cost with dynamic route optimization and execution which is offered as a SaaS solution. Optiyol solutions provide 15-25% reduction in fuel costs, 5-10% reduction in fleet size while increasing on-time delivery rates by 20-30%. The mobile driver application enables real-time tracking of both vehicles and orders. Thus, Optiyol provides instant information to shippers, carriers, and receivers about the entire delivery process.
Optiyol has increased its dominance in the Turkish market. Current customers include Beymen, a luxury retailer which has created its own e-commerce delivery organization for direct customer deliveries; Horoz Logistics, which is growing rapidly in the field of big cargo like household electronics and furniture; Eczacıbaşı Consumer Goods, which exports to more than 80 countries; Tadım, Turkey's leading packaged nuts brand; Kervan Gıda, Turkey’s largest soft candy producer; and Arena Bilgisayar, the leading technology products distributor.
Optiyol works with Buffalo Market, which provides online grocery services in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Sacramento in California. The company has also partnered with Texas-based Truckl in recent months. Truckl is a technology company that provides route tracking for vehicles transporting valuable goods via its advanced blockchain technology.
Optiyol expands globally
Optiyol announces that with the new investment, it will continue its activities to increase its presence through business partnerships in the US, Europe, and the Middle East markets.
Today, e-commerce volume exceeds $ 4 trillion worldwide, and the complexity of last-mile operations in cities increases the need for next-generation approaches like Optiyol. Co-Founder and CEO of Optiyol, Ozan Gözbaşı, Ph.D. emphasizes that the demand for route optimization solutions has grown exponentially in recent years, and states further:
“As the worldwide transport capacity cannot meet the sharp increase in e-commerce volume, it is crucial to use the available resources more efficiently. Customers expect fast, free, and on-time delivery; in response companies need to both minimize their logistics costs and digitize their logistics processes. How Optiyol differentiates itself from traditional solutions is that it offers both cost-efficient and practically feasible plans by incorporating field experience to its algorithms with a comprehensive data model. We have developed a solution that is targeting global leadership with our team of experts who bring both optimization and software engineering background from well-known institutions in the industry like Georgia Tech. With the new investment, we will pursue important strategic partnerships and work closely with our customers to bring more innovation to logistics space."
