There’s a reason why so many logistics and supply chain startups launch in the Chicagoland area every year, and it isn't the pizza.
Some like Better Trucks see it as an ideal spot to grow a logistics network across the U.S.
Founded in 2019, Better Trucks, a technology-driven last-mile delivery carrier built for digital commerce, recently secured its first outside funding round with plans to continue to expand in the area and across its network.
The Chicagoland-based startup announced a $15 million funding round this week led by Lobby Capital with participation from Corazon Capital and Venture 53.
Better Trucks co-founder and CEO Andy Whiting said despite the recent startup fundraising decline seen across the U.S., the three funding partners understand the logistics space and Better Trucks’ overall vision. With operations in Hillside Village and Downers Grove, Better Trucks serves the larger Chicagoland area.
“We built a triangle around Chicago, Atlanta and Dallas. It hasn’t been filled in completely, but if you look at our map, our first place was Chicago,” Whiting told Chicago Inno. “We very much believe one of our differentiators, especially amongst these modern delivery companies, is having a connected network and Chicago plays an extremely important role in that.”
He added that many of the large retailers that are Better Trucks’ customers have distribution centers in places like Indiana, Kansas, Iowa and Kansas, all of which feed nicely into Chicago.
Better Trucks focuses on next-day and two-day residential delivery and currently serves 25 metro areas across 17 states. Whiting said he hopes to be in 50 metro areas the end of next year.
