OVRSEA

OVRSEA operates as a multimodal freight forwarder, utilizing technology to simplify and optimize international freight management. The company was established in 2017 by five co-founders: Arthur Barillas de Thé (CEO), Mathieu Mattei (CFO), Brieuc André (COO), Georges Semaan (CPO), and Antoine Sauvage (CTO). The idea originated when Mattei, during an internship in Australia, observed the complexities of freight management compared to the simplicity of parcel shipping. Upon returning to France, he, along with HEC entrepreneurship program classmates Barillas and André, decided to address this inefficiency. They brought on Semaan and Sauvage to build the technical foundation of the platform.

The firm's business model centers on providing a digital platform that serves as a centralized hub for managing all aspects of shipping. This enables clients, who range from startups to large corporations across various sectors like luxury goods, cosmetics, and technology, to handle everything from quotations and bookings to real-time tracking and documentation. OVRSEA offers services across sea, air, road, and rail freight, including customs clearance and ad valorem insurance. Revenue is generated by acting as a freight forwarder, managing transport operations for its over 700 clients. The platform provides end-to-end visibility, allowing clients to monitor shipments, centralize communications, and access analytics for better predictability.

Significant milestones include a €1.9 million fundraising round in 2018 and a strategic partnership with Bolloré Logistics in 2021, where Bolloré acquired a majority stake. This acquisition was intended to accelerate OVRSEA's international expansion while allowing it to remain an independent entity in terms of its management and philosophy. Following the partnership, OVRSEA expanded its global footprint, opening offices in New York, Miami, Barcelona, and Milan. The company aims to simplify the complexities and opacity of the international transport industry, making the experience more transparent and efficient for businesses.

Keywords: freight forwarding, supply chain technology, multimodal transport, logistics platform, international shipping, real-time tracking, customs clearance, freight management, digital freight, transport optimization, supply chain visibility, sea freight, air freight, road freight, rail freight, trade management, logistics software, Bolloré Logistics, Arthur Barillas de Thé, Mathieu Mattei, Brieuc André, Georges Semaan, Antoine Sauvage