MAKING MOBILITY MOVES

Achieving net zero carbon is no longer a “nice to do” it is becoming an imperative in the mobility industry, as we learned from our corporate investors at our Annual Fund Forum in May.   
 
It involves building vehicles in a manner that is as close to net zero as possible, including the sourcing of green energy and consideration of end-of-life implications. 
 
As companies look to the future, they are seeking new and emerging tools and business models to help them fundamentally change, which means bringing all facets of the business into the conversation in a more integrated way to address carbon neutrality.
 
We see several emerging technologies and capabilities that companies are aware of or investigating, including:

The biggest challenges to achieving net zero carbon include measurement and economic feasibility. Once an international standard is recognized and economic return can be realized, we’ll see a seismic shift.

While companies look inward to achieve net zero carbon, many of our portfolio companies have developed technology to help reduce carbon emissions in the transportation sector. BusUp, a technology company in corporate charter management, offers shared transportation, reducing individual vehicle emissions. TruckLabs creates intelligent hardware and software solutions that positively impact carbon reduction and improve operational efficiencies. Newtrul aggregates freight and reduces deadheading, and Laka, Veo and Marti offer shared micromobility services to offer last-mile and short-commute solutions.

“Net zero carbon is a lot different to zero tailpipe emissions. We have set the bar higher because it is the right thing to do. We take the cost that comes with it because that is also the right thing to do.”
- Dr. Andy Palmer, Founder Palmer Automotive;
Chairman Inobat Auto; Chairman HiLo; Autotech Ventures Limited Partner

In April, we announced the closing of our oversubscribed $230 million third fund. This fund is our largest and among the world’s largest mobility-focused funds raised to date.
 
It will allow us to hunt for innovative ideas, continue to lead early-stage rounds in companies with strong teams, and reinvest in follow-on rounds. Various media outlets across the ecosystem covered the announcement, including TechCrunch.
 
In addition to Fund III news, interviews with the Autotech team were featured in Aftermarket News, Automotive News and the Everything is Logistics Podcast.

For regular news and updates from Autotech Ventures, follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Fixico was selected by VinFast as its European body repair network and scalable EV aftersales service management platform.
 
Hayden AI struck a deal to deploy up to 600 bus enforcement cameras on Metrobuses across D.C. over ten years and expanded into the Bronx.
 
Mundimoto expanded into Italy, launched Motocomponentes, a marketplace for second-hand motorcycle accessories and spare parts in Spain, and closed a ten million euros financing round.
 
Rollick created an RV savings program specifically for USAA members.
 
KlearNow.AI launched a new SAAS platform, Customs Engine, to enable goods to move efficiently and compliantly through customs and ports.
 
Outdoorsy reached a significant milestone with 1 million trips booked.
 
Shiphawk received the FedEx Compatible Envision Award for 2023.
 
TruckLabs partnered with Transervice Logistics to help its customers reduce fuel costs and lower carbon

As we continue expanding our portfolio, we are growing the Autotech team.
 
Sterling Anderson has joined us as a new venture partner. His knowledge of autonomous driving specifically and product development generally is an invaluable resource to the team. He is a Co-Founder and the Chief Product Officer of Aurora, the leading independent self-driving technology company. Before Aurora, Sterling led Autopilot at Tesla, shepherded the Model X to its launch, worked as an engagement manager at McKinsey, co-founded a selective autonomous driving system company, and developed MIT's Intelligent CoPilot.
 
Todd Fowler has joined as a director of strategic partnerships. He brings a variety of freight transportation, logistics and capital markets expertise to the SP team, with a deep background in supply chain, domestic trucking, freight brokerage and autonomous trucking end-markets. Before joining us, Todd was a managing director at KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., the corporate and investment banking arm of KeyBank National Association.
 
Tony Rimas is a new venture partner at Autotech Ventures with extensive experience in the automotive industry. He is an operating partner with Kinderhook Industries, a private equity firm with an impressive history of over 125 automotive investments. Tony has a wide range of expertise within many segments of the automotive industry, including retail, financial services, aftermarket and fleet services.  

Move London
London, June 21-22 
We are co-hosting a networking event with The London Technology Club on June 20. If you plan to be at MOVE London, let us know. Alexei Andreev will speak on the panel Going Public: Roadmaps to the IPO on June 21.
 
FreightWaves' Future of Supply Chain
Cleveland, June 20-22
We will also be hosting a networking event on June 20 in Cleveland. Please let us know if you’d like to attend.
 
Vehicle & Transportation Technology Meeting
Novi, Michigan, July 12-13 
Kellie Lindsay will speak on the topic: Navigating Converging Social, Economic, and Technological Trends in Modern Mobility Ecosystems.

Last month, we held our 7th annual Autotech Fund Forum (AFF) in Napa Valley,  where our limited partners, portfolio companies, and strategic advisors convened.
 
AFF was filled with insightful market trend sessions that delved into critical topics around the future of ground transportation and mobility, along with 1:1 discussions among investors and startups in our community. And, of course, AFF is only complete with a trip to the Sonoma Raceway.
 
Alexei Andreev, Burak Cendek, Daniel Hoffer and Quin Garcia share a quick recap and key takeaways from the event.

Would you like to learn more about our portfolio companies? Click here.
 

Autotech Ventures recently funded a software and services startup with a vision of enabling a trustworthy auto repair experience for consumers while enabling the mass adoption of EVs.
 
The founding team has built numerous IPO'd mobility startups in the past, and they're now searching for a technical co-founder. Know any amazing humans who could be a fit?

Ideal qualifications include:

Please contact Tyson Bennett (tyson@autotechvc.com) if you're interested or would like more information. Discretion is guaranteed for those not openly or actively looking.