Target Company Information

Blackhorn Ventures is excited to announce its recent investment in Isometric Technologies, Inc. (ISO), a pioneering business intelligence platform for the supply chain sector. This investment also sees participation from Maersk Growth and existing backers, including Kindred Ventures and L37 Ventures.

ISO is designed to revolutionize how shippers measure the monetary impact of their services across transportation networks. By providing carriers the opportunity to demonstrate their performance to shippers, ISO aims to establish a significant benchmark in supply chain performance evaluation, akin to how FICO scores transformed the lending industry.

Industry Overview in the United States

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities of modern supply chains, highlighting the disconnected and siloed data systems that retailers, shippers, and carriers often relied upon. These disjointed systems hinder effective data reconciliation, resulting in substantial financial losses due to unjustified chargebacks and suboptimal procurement practices.

Transportation expenses typically account for approximately 10% of a shipper’s Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), with around 80% of this spend committed through annual RFPs. Additionally, procurement leaders struggle to identify new capacity due to the absence of verified service data for over 500,000 carriers operating in the U.S.

As a result, transportation planners often make strategic decisions based on inconsistent and unreliable data, missing crucial information necessary for efficiency. Service data acts as a foundational link for harmonizing supply chain orchestration, creating the need for a neutral, third-party source to collaborate on datasets between business partners.

The emergence of innovative technologies focused on digitizing and automating supply chain workflows can enhance connectivity, visibility, and resiliency, ultimately leading to improved delivery speeds, reduced costs, and better service outcomes. This shift represents a long-term transformation in supply chain infrastructures that is expected to reshape the industry.

Rationale Behind the Deal

The investment in ISO reinforces Blackhorn's commitment to supporting companies focused on optimizing supply chain efficiency. With its innovative approach to integrating cleaned and contextualized datasets, ISO empowers users to identify cost-saving opportunities and streamline the reconciliation process among all players in the supply chain.

This investment not only positions ISO as a leader in performance optimization but also addresses the critical need for reliable data in supply chain operations, setting the stage for significant improvements and efficiencies across the industry.

Investors' Profile

Blackhorn Ventures is a venture capital firm dedicated to funding innovative startups across various sectors, with a keen interest in supply chain technologies. By investing in companies like ISO, Blackhorn aims to catalyze groundbreaking advancements in supply chain efficiency and optimization.

Maersk Growth, a strategic investor in this deal, aligns with Blackhorn's vision by investing in firms that demonstrate potential to enhance supply chain integrity and performance. Existing investors, such as Kindred Ventures and L37 Ventures, further validate ISO’s capabilities and its promising future.

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The investment in Isometric Technologies represents a significant opportunity to address critical pain points in the supply chain industry. By providing a neutral platform for performance evaluation, ISO eliminates reliance on flawed data and unsustainable practices. This positions the company to capitalize on the burgeoning demand for better supply chain management.

ISO’s innovative approach, including its planned features for sustainability metrics, addresses contemporary concerns surrounding environmental impact and operational efficiency. As the industry shifts towards a data-driven model, ISO’s capabilities present a strong case for its long-term viability and growth.

Furthermore, with an exceptional founding team experienced in logistics and technology, ISO is well-equipped to navigate the complexities of the market. Their recognized expertise enhances the likelihood of successful implementation and scalability of the platform.

In conclusion, Blackhorn's investment in ISO appears to be a strategic and potentially lucrative decision, aligning with the growing demand for transparency and performance in supply chain operations while contributing positively to sustainability efforts.

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