The Indian Logistics Sector

The Indian logistics sector has witnessed tremendous growth with the rise of e-commerce logistics, food tech, and increased domestic consumption. There has been a transformation in the logistics industry with the use of machine learning and iOT, catering to the problems faced by traditional logistics due to insufficient integration of transport networks, information technology, and warehousing & distribution facilities.

To overcome the drawbacks faced by the traditional logistics industry, a lot of startups have been venturing into the new age logistics, driven by artificial intelligence and IOT. They have not only made the supply chain process smoother by eliminating downtime for maintenance but have also made it cost effective by reducing the dependency on non-renewable sources of energy.

The IOT logistics space has received funding from major international investors that include Tiger Global Management, Blume Ventures, and Qualcomm Ventures. In India, VC’s like Sequoia Capital, Artiman Ventures, Qualcomm Ventures, Kalaari Capital, Pi Ventures and Maverick Capital Ventures are actively looking to invest in logistics startups

JCurve and Seacup Visionaries

JCurve, an incubator program for service-based marketplace startups & entrepreneurs, backed by JungleWorks and Jugnoo has invested in Seacup Visionaries, a product designing and IOT solutions provider that develops electric bikes.

The current E-bike segment is valued at USD 14,755.20 million in 2018 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.39% during the forecast period, 2019-2024. Apart from the growing consumer preference towards recreational and adventure activities, the adoption of e-bike applications in logistics and e-bike rental services is expected to drive the market for the forecasted period

In India, Seacup plans to capture the B2B market, through the development of a low-cost E-bike that will be used by the online logistics sector. Cycle logistics is an upcoming efficient and highly sustainable model for last mile deliveries. The E-bikes are self-diagnosing and use predictive analysis of the fleet, ensuring maximum uptime, having the potential to capture the current food delivery logistics industry. The low-cost model promises to overcome the current problems faced by the logistics industry that include parcel mismanagement and high delivery time. It will aid in the development of an organized method of tracking and supply chain, connecting people, processes, and data via devices and sensors through the use of IOT.

One of the greatest benefits for both businesses and customers will be greater visibility and accountability of the parcels via real-time tracking features, an area in which retailers have struggled.

Another major driver for Seacup’s E-bikes is the growth in the online food-ordering sector. Witnessing a growth rate of over 15% every quarter since 2018, food delivery platforms such as Zomato, Swiggy, and Foodpanda are also investing in sourcing deliveries. With higher reliance on logistics as opposed to restaurant discovery, Seacup can leverage it’s low-cost E-bikes for the delivery of food, taking the first mover advantage as they launch. JCurve, through its operational and technical expertise, has been aiding Seacup in acquiring smart and easy funding, providing it access to seed capital investment and mentoring it through our partners and alumni in scaling global operations.

With major technological advancements such as the introduction of iOT and machine learning in the logistics sector, the E-bikes market growing at a Cagr of 6.39%, accompanied by the heavy flow of investments from major VC’s globally, there is huge potential for growth in sustainable logistics.