Scott P. Arroyo 
We are delighted to welcome Leaf Logistics to the Madrona family. Logistics is a growing space and technology has the power to dramatically change the industry, improve customer service and deliver greater efficiency for everyone from retailers to customers to people behind the wheel. We were excited to meet Anshu Prasad and Stefan Friederichs, who are applying AI to the complexity of the freight and transportation industry – and building a platform that has the potential to not only deliver goods faster and more more reliable, but also to reduce CO2 emissions. Madrona participated in Leaf’s $37 million Series B announced this week on Acceleration Fund 2.
The transportation industry has always operated in silos, which has led to huge inefficiencies. Today, more than 30% of the trucks on the road run empty, which represents a huge waste in the industry. When participants coordinate on the Leaf platform, over 20% efficiencies can be identified in this $800 billion industry. Leaf breaks down these silos by applying an incredible amount of data and artificial intelligence to the problem and creating a trusted network of shippers, carriers and brokers powered by technology.
Leaf’s smart software uses predictive analytics and AI to identify the best route and available resources for the expedition. Leveraging years of historical freight data from hundreds of shippers, the Leaf Platform models freight volume configurations with optimal planability and predictability. Leaf’s Adapt technology then assembles these configurations into multiple graphical models using the power of the network, allowing Leaf to simulate flows across its transportation and logistics, helping shippers reduce costs, improve operations, and significantly reduce their carbon footprint. Coordination across the Leaf network also gives transportation providers more stability for their business so they can maximize asset utilization while providing their drivers with favorable routes and guaranteed fares.
What impressed us the most was the quality of the Leaf product and the team’s relentless focus on delighting their customers. Over the past two years, when the industry has been beset by supply chain, trucking, and a virtually endless list of issues brought on by the global pandemic, Leaf customers have successfully navigated all the ups and downs. lows, keep their costs under control, and deliver the goods in a timely manner. By listening to customers and deeply understanding pain points across the entire value chain (a behavior we see in all great founding teams), the team built the best solution for this industry. And it’s bold. The transportation industry is at an inflection point of digitization enhanced by next-generation software, and Leaf Logistics is leading this revolution.
We couldn’t be more excited to help Anshu, Stefan and the team build and scale Leaf Logistics even faster. We are honored to be part of the group of investors which also includes Sozo Ventures, Playground Global, Floodgate, Schematic Ventures, Supply Chain Ventures, Flexport and Intercontinental Exchange.
It’s amazing what the team has built so far, and we’re excited for what lies ahead as we welcome Leaf Logistics to the Madrona family!
