Route-D
Logistics with the power of technology.
Route-D, established in December 2022, is a technology firm focused on transforming Japan's supply chain and logistics industry. The company aims to address challenges such as labor shortages and rising costs by developing and providing AI-driven products. Its core offering is an AI assistant specifically designed for the logistics, wholesale, and manufacturing sectors, which helps to resolve operational issues autonomously.
The founding team's background is deeply rooted in academia and high-level corporate strategy. CEO Mitsuaki Matsumoto, a graduate of the University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Engineering, previously worked at McKinsey & Company. His graduate research focused on applying machine learning to logistics, and at McKinsey, he was involved in formulating and executing supply chain strategies for the consumer goods and retail industries. Co-founder Ryota Tono also graduated from the same engineering school and subsequently worked at Goldman Sachs; his research centered on using mathematical analysis to study traffic congestion in logistics. This blend of academic expertise in logistics and practical experience in top-tier consulting and finance firms underpins the company's approach to solving industry problems through technology.
Route-D operates by providing digital solutions to a traditionally analog industry, aiming to become an "AI platformer that connects the industry." The company's products are designed to digitize workflows that still heavily rely on paper, phone, and fax, thereby improving operational efficiency. For instance, they are advancing an AI-powered vehicle dispatch assistant. One of their key products, "D-connect," is an operation management tool designed to improve profitability for transportation companies. By making data more accessible and usable, Route-D helps companies tackle issues like low truck loading efficiency and complex subcontracting structures. In October 2024, the company secured 60 million JPY in a seed funding round from investors including DCM Ventures to accelerate product development.
Keywords: supply chain management, logistics technology, AI assistant, freight tech, digital transformation, transportation management system, vehicle dispatch, route optimization, supply chain visibility, logistics software, manufacturing logistics, wholesale distribution, fleet management, logistics data analytics, last-mile delivery, B2B logistics, supply chain efficiency, transport logistics, operational management, D-connect