Agrikolis

Agrikolis operates as a logistics and transport company, specializing in creating a delivery network for heavy and bulky products by utilizing agricultural infrastructure. Founded in 2018 by Cédric Guyot and Guillaume Belissent, the company emerged from their shared experience in the industrial and distribution sectors, particularly in wood distribution. They identified a gap in the market for handling voluminous goods, as traditional relay points were insufficient and home delivery was costly and inconvenient for consumers. Their solution was to establish a network of farms as relay points, providing a novel way for farmers to generate additional income by leveraging their available space and handling equipment. The business was launched in early 2019 with Cdiscount as its initial partner.

The company's business model centers on charging e-commerce clients for its delivery service and then remunerating the partner farmers for each parcel they handle, while retaining a margin. This structure not only provides a solution for e-commerce retailers in sectors like DIY, furniture, and outdoor equipment, but also aims to become a primary source of supplemental income for farmers, who can earn an average of 500 euros per month. By the end of 2019, Agrikolis managed over 40,000 parcels through 100 active relays. As of early 2023, the network had grown to 300 relay points, delivering an average of 18,000 parcels monthly and having paid out over 3 million euros to its farmer partners since its inception. To manage operations, Agrikolis developed its own software suite, Kolisoft®, to ensure parcel traceability from warehouse to farm pickup.

Headquartered in Roubaix, France, Agrikolis has received support from incubators like Euratechnologies and Plaine Images. The company has secured $1.51M in funding, including a significant €1.2 million round in January 2023 from historical partners like the IRD group and business angels. This funding is intended to expand the network to 600 relay points. Acknowledged for its societal commitment, Agrikolis obtained the Lucie 26000 CSR label. The founders also participated in the French television show "Qui veut être mon associé?" ("Who wants to be my partner?"), securing an investment from Éric Larchevêque. The company also offers a specialized service called "Le Klapier," secure, palette-sized lockers designed for recurring, autonomous deliveries at the farm relays.

Keywords: logistics, heavy parcel delivery, bulky goods transport, e-commerce logistics, final mile delivery, farm relay network, agritech, rural logistics, supplemental farm income, Cédric Guyot, Guillaume Belissent, supply chain solutions, pickup points, large item shipping, French tech, e-commerce fulfillment, sustainable logistics, social impact, last-mile innovation, parcel storage