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Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Warp Raises $10M to Scale AI-Powered Freight Network with Robotics and Automation with Minimal Hires
Logistics startup rapidly deploying AI across every part of the business, delivering massive performance gains while building a fully robotic cross-dock and eliminating mode-based shipping constraints Los Angeles, CA, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Warp, the tech-powered middle-mile logistics company, today announced a $10 million Series A round led by and Blue Bear Capital. This brings Warp's total funding to $22 million since its founding in 2021. The new capital will fund the rapid expansion of Warp's AI systems and the launch of its first fully robotic cross-dock, a flagship facility that automates the entire freight lifecycle from inbound receiving and dimensioning to smart sortation and outbound dispatch. Warp is already deploying AI across routing, pricing, scheduling, visibility, and customer service, and early results show significant gains in efficiency, on-time performance, and cost reduction. Connected to Warp's national network of 50 cross-docks and over 10,000 carrier vehicles, from cargo vans to 53-footers, the robotic site will enable faster, more precise movement of goods across both B2B and D2C shipments. By dynamically matching shipments to the best route, vehicle, and node regardless of mode, Warp is blending what the industry used to call LTL and FTL. In Warp's world, freight isn't defined by mode. It is defined by a shipper's price and speed preferences. 'Warp's approach doesn't just optimize freight. It redefines it. They're targeting the root causes of middle-mile inefficiency: labor dependency, lack of visibility, and brittle networks,' said Ally Warson, Partner at 'Their agent- and automation-first approach is the future of supply chain infrastructure.' Unlike most startups that raise capital to expand headcount, Warp has plans to hire just 10 more full-time, salaried employees. Ever. Instead of scaling with bodies, Warp is scaling with automation, intelligent agents, and software, building a freight infrastructure that runs itself. 'This round isn't about growing a team. It is about multiplying output,' said Daniel Sokolovsky, Co-Founder and CEO of Warp. 'We are scaling with intelligent agents that make our amazing people a thousand times more productive. In parallel, Warp is advancing its Apple Vision Pro-powered supply chain interface, giving shippers a fully immersive view of their freight in motion, down to the node, dock, and truck. 'Warp is solving a deeply physical problem with true software discipline,' said Vaughn Blake, Partner at Blue Bear Capital. 'This is full-stack automation, not just digital wrappers on legacy processes. They are bringing modern systems thinking to freight in a way the industry hasn't seen before.' 'Shippers don't want freight. They want outcomes, guaranteed every time,' said Troy Lester, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer at Warp. 'Warp is building the only freight network that connects AI, robotics, and transportation to give them exactly what they want. In a volatile world, we are engineering certainty. Always the best rate. Always perfect service. Soon, that won't be a promise. It will be standard.' To learn more, visit About Warp Warp is a technology-powered freight network focused on modernizing the middle mile of American logistics. By connecting shippers, cross-docks, and carriers through a single operating system, Warp enables flexible, efficient, and highly visible domestic freight movement. With real-time tracking, AI-powered routing, and a versatile national fleet, Warp helps brands take control of their U.S. supply chain without the complexity of legacy networks. To learn more, visit Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements include, but are not limited to, expectations regarding Warp's future operations, plans to scale AI and robotics, anticipated performance improvements, and the development and impact of the company's automated infrastructure. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs, assumptions, and expectations, and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and changes in circumstances that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, changes in market conditions, customer adoption rates, technological feasibility, supply chain disruptions, competition, regulatory developments, and the ability to execute business strategies as planned. Warp undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they are made, except as required by law. CONTACT: Stephanie Levinson, Director of Media Relations Warp press@
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Topanga Raises $8M to Bring AI-Powered Efficiency to Foodservice's $27B Packaging and Waste Problem
LOS ANGELES, CA / / March 26, 2025 / America's foodservice operations are running on outdated infrastructure, losing billions in food waste and single-use packaging costs each year. Topanga, the AI-powered kitchen intelligence platform, is fixing the problem at the source-not with more recycling bins, but with automation that eliminates waste and unlocks margin. Now, backed by an $8 million Series A funding round led by Blue Bear Capital, with participation from Struck Capital, Amasia, and Wonder Ventures, Topanga is scaling its platform across enterprise foodservices in colleges and universities, healthcare, and hospitality settings. Eliminating food and packaging waste at the kitchen level is one of the fastest, most scalable ways to lower operating costs, drive down resource intensity, and build a food system that's both profitable and sustainable. Tackling Foodservice's Hidden Costs For decades, waste has been written off as the cost of doing business. But between packaging and overproduction, U.S. foodservice operators are losing more than $27 billion annually. Legacy systems make it impossible to course-correct in real time-so inefficiencies compound, and margins shrink. Topanga is changing that with real-time automation designed specifically for modern foodservice teams. What Topanga Offers ReusePass: A tech-powered reusable packaging system with a 99% return rate, integrated with Grubhub and used by major players like Aramark, Sodexo, and Compass Group. StreamLine: An AI-driven smart scale that automatically measures food waste and helps kitchens reduce overproduction by 70%-saving up to $78,000 per kitchen location each year. "Kitchens don't have time for more dashboards-they need automation that actually saves money and reduces labor," said Page Schult, CEO and Co-founder of Topanga. "We built Topanga to make waste reduction effortless, turning what used to be a sunk cost into a strategic advantage." Why Investors Are Backing Topanga "Topanga is addressing a critical and often underappreciated driver of both environmental impact and operational inefficiency: waste in commercial kitchens. Their enterprise platform delivers measurable sustainability outcomes alongside meaningful cost savings, aligning with the growing demand for solutions that are both environmentally and economically compelling. We are proud to support Topanga as they scale their technology and expand their impact across the food service industry," said Vaughn Blake, Partner, Blue Bear Capital. What's Next With this new funding, Topanga will: Launch and scale StreamLine across enterprise foodservice operations. Expand ReusePass into senior living, healthcare, and hospitality environments. Grow its engineering, design, biz dev, and client success teams to meet rising demand. About Topanga Topanga is a kitchen intelligence platform that helps foodservice teams waste less, save more, and operate more efficiently-with real-time automation, not more admin. From AI-powered packaging returns to smart food waste reduction, Topanga empowers teams to cut costs and boost sustainability without compromising performance. About Blue Bear Capital Blue Bear is a venture capital and early growth equity firm driving the expansion of digital technologies and machine intelligence into multibillion-dollar verticals across the energy, infrastructure, and climate industries. The team comes from leading energy private equity firms and features technology expertise from the tech startup world alongside operational leadership from large-scale technology developers. Blue Bear's portfolio covers operational AI, IoT, and cybersecurity technologies, all deployed with enterprise customers to drive connectivity and intelligence across the world's most critical Media ContactLauren Wallack-EstesOutlier Partnerslauren@ SOURCE: Lauren Wallack-Estes View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Sign in to access your portfolio
