CMA CGM Group will launch ZEBOX UK in Manchester this month. The French transportation company is a founding partner of ZEBOX and has continued to innovate through the global startup accelerator focusing on operational efficiency, decarbonisation, future of work and artificial intelligence in supply chain, logistics, transport and energy.
The Manchester-based startup accelerator is ZEBOX’s sixth innovation hub in the world. ZEBOX UK is ready to tap into Manchester, London and Northern Europe, expanding its global network.
This new hub in the UK will continue ZEBOX’s mission to pave new paths by connecting global logistics leaders and innovative startups with innovation hubs in France, North America, the Caribbean, West Africa and the Asia-Pacific region, according to CMA CGM’s announcement.
ZEBOX was founded in 2018 by Rodolphe Saadé, chairman and CEO of the CMA CGM Group and in April the CMA CGM Group launched ZEBOX Ventures, a seed fund for French and international startups. The fund aims to invest between GB£50,000 (US$60,000) and £250,000 (US$303,000) each year in around 50 startups, prioritising shipping and logistics optimisation, decarbonisation and energy transition, process digitalisation and artificial intelligence.
The ZEBOX community, which now comprises 20 partners and over 200 startups, has contributed to raising over GB£200 million (US$242.8 million) in funding and has initiated more than 100 co-innovation projects between startups and corporate partners for the next generation of solutions.
Audrey Dohlen, regional director and head of Europe Region of the CMA CGM Group, said, “The launch of ZEBOX UK truly illustrates CMA CGM’s commitment to our UK customers, partners and team members. Our desire is to find innovative approaches and bring solutions to the table that will transform the industry and help the UK adapt to the ever-changing business landscape. CMA CGM and ZEBOX UK are on a mission to create the premier center of innovation for supply chain and logistics in the United Kingdom.”
