In December 2025, Qargo, a rising player in transportation logistics, secured $33 million in Series B funding. This wasn’t just another round of venture capital, it announced an intention. An intention to challenge the status quo, where logistics still relies heavily on legacy systems, cumbersome paperwork, and outdated processes. Sofina led the round with robust support from Balderton Capital, pushing Qargo's total funding to $54 million.
As someone knee-deep in the startup trenches for years, with my credibility built on bootstrapping ventures rather than chasing checks, this story really resonated. It’s not just about growth or market share; it’s about the sheer ambition to redefine how a sector works, something so few truly dare to do.
Why Qargo’s Model Is a Game-Changer
Qargo disrupted the logistics scene because it didn’t aim to simply "improve" existing workflows, it aimed to discard what's slow and irrelevant. Picture this: a freight company flooded with spreadsheets, manual bookings, and unoptimized routes. Now imagine taking all those processes, order creation, invoicing, warehouse scheduling, and automating them in one centralized platform. That is what Qargo does with their intelligent transport management system (TMS).
They’re not just simplifying operations by automating. They’re educating businesses, often smaller, often risk-averse, on how to adopt smarter tools without feeling overwhelmed or left behind. With 75% reductions in admin work and up to a 10% cut in mileage (and emissions), Qargo’s AI feels less like a luxury and more like a logistics survival kit.
Why Female Founders Should Care
Logistics might feel far away from industries traditionally dominated by women entrepreneurs, but here’s the thing. Women consistently face higher barriers in accessing financing, establishing partnerships, and scaling across borders. Tools like Qargo lower operational inefficiencies and reduce the manpower (and costs) needed to hit new markets. For women seeking to scale businesses, whether it's an online boutique or a small logistics brokerage, this kind of technology provides that edge many can’t afford to dream of.
And beyond tools themselves, Qargo’s model reminds us: clarity and ambition seduce investors. You don’t get $33 million for vague promises. You get it for showing how you make lives easier, cleaner, and cheaper in ways everyone understands.
What this Success Teaches Female Entrepreneurs in Europe
Let’s unpack three big lessons visible in Qargo’s journey to its $33 million Series B:
1. Make Your Value Immediately Obvious
Too many founders get tangled in technical jargon. Qargo didn’t. Their pitch: "We save logistics companies 75% of their time and cut their emissions by 10%." There’s no fluff here. It’s clear. It’s measurable. As founders, whether narrating your project in digital goods, finance, or edtech, remember this: speak the language of your end user. Numbers win minds.
2. No Market Is Too Traditional To Shake Up
Freight. Warehouses. Truck drivers. On first glance, logistics does not scream “exciting” to most. But Qargo dug directly into one painful issue: operational inefficiency. If a "boring" sector like trucking, piston engines, and warehouses can support a bold reimagining, then maybe your industry can too. Most sectors that seem untouched by "modernization" are hungry for simpler, faster systems, they often don’t shout about it because they’ve built habits around working the slow way.
For female entrepreneurs often shoehorned into beauty, wellness, or lifestyle industries by societal biases, ask yourself: what forgotten or unsexy spaces can you dominate?
3. Build Sustainability Into Profit From Day One
Shipping isn’t known for its green credentials. But Qargo didn’t just promise automation or cost cuts, they worked in environmental goals, proving that smarter logistics equals less carbon waste without punishing profit margins. More and more customers demand greener practices alongside affordability. This isn’t an add-on. Whether you’re building a makeup line, a SaaS platform, or a consultancy firm, eco-conscious users will be your future, even in so-called “non-green” industries.
Most Common Mistakes Founders Should Avoid
As much as Qargo’s story inspires, it also shines a light on what founders should consciously sidestep:
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Overcomplicating the Business Model. I know, from years of creating startups in Europe, that simplicity is your ally. Qargo didn’t focus on being sexy; they focused on outcomes. Build systems that work for users, not systems that win design awards. Winning requires solving, not impressing.
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Ignoring Scalability Potential Early. Starting with niche ideas can galvanize your audience, but investors want to see the future. Like Qargo, create something scalable across industries yet customizable enough that one size doesn’t alienate specialized players.
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Chasing Every Trend Blindly. Sure, buzzwords like AI excite investors. But there's strategy in using tech for value, not for novelty. Look at how well Qargo integrates AI into actual functions, don’t bolt pieces on hoping someone notices.
To Build It Big, Start Basic, Here’s How
If you’re entrepreneurial and dreaming of scaling, these starting steps from Qargo’s strategy can simplify your sprint:
- Identify the high-friction areas in your field. Anything that still happens on paper? That’s an opportunity.
- Visit the people you serve. Qargo’s founders learned pain points from logistics SMEs, creating products grounded in real user struggles.
- Start small, grow wisely. Think back to their story: launching in Belgium, they became indispensable locally before expanding into the UK and Europe.
- Attract diverse backers who see long-term value. What made Sofina back Qargo? Likely the blend of profit potential and planet-first goals.
Qargo’s $33 million funding round shouldn’t just be a logistics-world headline, but a startup rallying cry. To fellow female entrepreneurs, this highlights the sheer power of clarity of vision, collegial support, and recognizing untidy traditions as your opportunity space. What’s your inefficiency to tackle next? If you get that right, maybe your headline reads next year.
FAQ
1. What is Qargo's mission in logistics?
Qargo aims to modernize the logistics industry by automating operations and reducing dependency on paper-based processes through its AI-driven transport management system. Learn more about Qargo's transformative approach to logistics
2. How much funding has Qargo raised so far?
Including the recent $33 million Series B funding, Qargo has raised a total of $54 million. Discover more about Qargo’s funding journey
3. Who led Qargo's $33M Series B round?
The Series B round was led by Belgian investment company Sofina, with existing investments from Balderton Capital. Learn more about Sofina and Qargo’s funding
4. What specific features does Qargo’s platform offer?
Qargo automates repetitive logistics tasks, including order creation, route planning, trip optimization, load building, invoicing, and warehouse scheduling. Customers report up to 75% less time spent on administrative work. Explore Qargo’s AI-driven platform capabilities
5. What industries or businesses benefit most from Qargo?
Qargo primarily serves carriers, freight forwarders, and third-party logistics providers, ranging from small family-run businesses to large multinational companies. Read about how Qargo supports logistics companies
6. What has been the impact of Qargo’s platform on logistics operations?
Since its inception, Qargo’s platform has helped logistics companies save up to 75% of time spent on admin tasks and reduced mileage (and emissions) by up to 10%. Learn about Qargo’s operational impact
7. What are Qargo’s plans following its Series B funding?
Qargo plans to expand its team, enter new markets, and accelerate the development of its AI-driven transport management capabilities while remaining operationally independent. Find out more about Qargo’s growth strategy
8. Why is Qargo’s focus on sustainability important?
Qargo integrates environmental goals by optimizing routes and automating processes, resulting in reduced emissions and carbon waste without compromising profitability. Discover how Qargo aligns logistics with environmental goals
9. What geographic markets is Qargo focusing on?
Qargo currently operates in key European logistics hubs like the UK, Belgium, Ireland, and France, with plans to expand further across Europe and into the U.S. Learn more about Qargo’s market expansion plans
10. Why does Qargo appeal to investors like Sofina and Balderton?
Qargo’s clear vision, measurable results in time saving and cost reduction, and commitment to sustainability and tech innovation have made them attractive to investors. Read about investor support for Qargo
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
