Gurucargo
Digital freight forwarder of Brazil and Uruguay.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | investor | €0.0 | round |
| investor investor | €0.0 | round | |
$1.3m | Series A | ||
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
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Gurucargo operates as a digital marketplace for freight forwarding, connecting importers and exporters directly with carriers for air, sea, and land transportation. The company was founded in 2013 in Montevideo, Uruguay, by Alejandro Esperanza, Eric Waizman, and Andrés Israel. The founders leveraged their collective experience in the logistics and shipping industry to create a platform aimed at simplifying international trade operations for small and medium-sized businesses. Their goal was to bring transparency and efficiency to a market often hindered by intermediaries and a lack of accessible information.
The platform serves importers and exporters by allowing them to request and compare quotes for their shipping needs. Users can filter proposals based on various criteria, including price, transit time, and carrier ratings, before booking the service online. This model is designed to reduce shipping costs, in some cases by up to 30%, by providing access to rates typically only available to large-volume forwarders. Gurucargo's business model generates revenue by charging a commission to the logistics providers, while the service remains free for shippers. The platform also offers ancillary services, which can be outsourced and added to a shipment, such as warehousing, customs clearance, and last-mile delivery.
The company experienced significant growth in Latin America, partnering with major carriers like LATAM Cargo and CMA CGM. After establishing a strong presence in markets such as Brazil, Mexico, and Chile, Gurucargo planned to expand its 'lean forwarding' model into the United States. Over its history, the company has raised capital through several funding rounds, including a seed round in 2015, to fuel its expansion. In early 2020, it was reported that Gurucargo was in the process of being acquired by a regional player in the logistics industry.
Keywords: freight marketplace, logistics platform, digital forwarding, international shipping, cargo booking, supply chain technology, air freight, ocean freight, land transport, import export services, freight quotes, carrier comparison, logistics for SMEs, Latin America logistics, trade facilitation, shipping cost reduction, freight management, transparent pricing, supply chain efficiency, customs clearance services