CloudFret chooses Marseille for its European location in partnership with ZEBOX and Provence Promotion

Development of a sustainable logistics solution based on artificial intelligence

CloudFret, a Moroccan start-up founded by Driss Jabar in November 2020, has just arrived in Marseille to accelerate its growth. As a recent member of the ZEBOX community, and with the support of Provence Promotion, its objective is to develop its B2B digital platform, which connects shippers and freight carriers across Europe and Africa. Opening a subsidiary in Aix-Marseille should allow it to extend its sales and R&D activities to the French but also European and African markets.

ZEBOX, a start-up incubator and accelerator founded by Rodolphe Saadé, CEO of the CMA CGM Group, world leader in maritime transport and logistics, has just formed its 12th cohort of entrepreneurs.

Six new start-ups have been selected and will benefit from the community’s support to advance their projects. Four will join the incubation program, including one in ZEBOX Caribbean and two others the acceleration program in the Marseille location. Among these is CloudFret, which hopes to accelerate its development from Marseille after an incubation period at Station F in Paris.

The start-up has already raised $400,000 from two investors: the Moroccan Azur Innovation Fund and the Californian accelerator Plug and Play. 

It looked into several locations, including Marseille, in which to establish itself to develop its business. 

"I considered Nantes, Rouen and Le Havre but chose Marseille to be close to my markets and develop links between sub-Saharan Africa, the Maghreb and Europe," explains Driss Jabar, founder and CEO of CloudFret.“With our Mediterranean DNA, it seemed the natural choice. The good contacts we have in the region and with Provence Promotion reinforced my decision to pursue the adventure from Marseille. We applied and were selected by ZEBOX in July 2021 to start a 12-month acceleration period.”

The start-up is now looking to the region to grow internationally.

A sustainable and profitable solution

The logistics solution developed by CloudFret is a B2B digital platform connecting shippers to carriers in an effort to eliminate empty truck returns.

Thanks to its artificial intelligence algorithms, CloudFret matches shipment requests to return journeys.

This optimization benefits both the environment and businesses: CO2 emissions can be reduced by 30%, carriers can make additional profits, and shippers will save on costs. It is an attractive offer to encourage industry stakeholders to use the online solution.

Development goals

Through ZEBOX’s one-year acceleration program, CloudFret will benefit from advice from experts who will help it to consolidate its market positioning and meet key players for its development.

Supported by Provence Promotion, the start-up is beginning to make its mark on the region and in the local ecosystem. It was awarded the “Invest in Provence” label during the French Tech Le Grand Bain event, a wonderful welcome gesture and first step in raising its visibility.

Its ambition is to be able to quickly make its Marseille subsidiary a hub for sales throughout Europe. The location will also serve as a base for its R&D center, with the creation of 12 jobs expected within 3 years.