Latest news with #DanielSokolovsky
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
LA Startup Grabs $10M to Build Out Fully Automated Freight Cross-Dock
This tech-first, middle-mile logistics startup wants to warp the way freight is carried today. Los Angeles-based Warp announced earlier this month it had raised a $10 million Series A round, led by and Blue Bear Capital. The startup, founded in 2021, had previously raised $12 million. More from Sourcing Journal Teamsters' Top Dog Calls on Legislators to Oppose State AI Law Moratorium Daydream Unveils Fashion Search Engine Built to Elevate Discovery 4 in 10 US Parents Plan to Decrease Their Spend on Clothes and Shoes for Back to School The company uses AI to dynamically optimize freight routing and pricing; its technology works to match shipments with fast, lower-cost transport for the middle mile. It uses software and artificial intelligence-based systems, but it also employs physical technology in the form of robots. Daniel Sokolovsky, co-founder and CEO of Warp, said Warp will not use the funds to exponentially increase its headcount; it has plans to hire just 10 more full-time employees. Sokolovsky contends that agentic AI will enable a limited number of people to run the company at scale. The idea, Warp contends, is to create 'a freight infrastructure that runs itself.' 'This round isn't about growing a team. It is about multiplying output,' Sokolovsky said in a statement. 'We are scaling with intelligent agents that make our amazing people a thousand times more productive.' Instead, Sokolovsky and team plan to use their newly raised capital to expand the AI systems that underlay Warp's capabilities—and to launch a fully robotic cross-dock. That means that the cross-dock, which is typically used to quickly transfer goods between trucks, will be fully automated; robots will receive, analyze and send out parcels and pallets delivered to the location. While Warp has a network of 50 cross-docks and more than 10,000 vehicles, this marks the first robot-native site for the company. The company plans to link its new facility into its existing network, enabling it with already established AI capabilities, like routing, scheduling, parcel and pallet visibility and more. Warp contends that the new facility will enable faster, more efficient outcomes for clients—and its investors seem to agree. Ally Warson, partner at said the firm believes Warp's vision and technology will help plug existing gaps and inefficiencies in the freight space. 'Warp's approach doesn't just optimize freight. It redefines it. They're targeting the root causes of middle-mile inefficiency: labor dependency, lack of visibility, and brittle networks,' Warson said in a statement. 'Their agent- and automation-first approach is the future of supply chain infrastructure.' According to its site, Warp boasts a variety of customers, including Walmart, Veho, Aritzia, Kith and Doordash. Per its site, the company helped an unnamed apparel retailer cut costs by 27 percent and improve delivery time by 20 percent. Warp primarily services retail clients by offering the ability to consolidate shipments into one delivery; delivering items from a shipment to several stores or warehouses by using shared routes; moving inventory via cross-docking and more. Troy Lester, co-founder and chief revenue officer at Warp, said refining the technology behind Warp will help the company enable repeat positive experiences for customers. 'Shippers don't want freight. They want outcomes, guaranteed every time,' Lester said in a statement. 'Warp is building the only freight network that connects AI, robotics, and transportation to give them exactly what they want. In a volatile world, we are engineering certainty. Always the best rate. Always perfect service. Soon, that won't be a promise. It will be standard.' Warp is far from the only company trying to redefine logistics and freight moving with AI systems. Some of the industry's biggest players have invested serious capital and manpower into doing so; Flexport has promised a major technology release twice annually, and companies like DHL have inked robotics partnerships aimed at creating the warehouse or fulfillment center of the future. Meanwhile, other startups, like Mothership—which uses AI to link companies with last-minute less-than-truckload (LTL) options at low rates—have also looked to disrupt the logistics game with emerging technologies. Still, investors seem intrigued by Warp's ability to tie together multiple processes, rather than touting improvements for just one piece of the logistics puzzle. Vaughn Blake, partner at Blue Bear Capital, said the startup's technology has the potential to uproot the status quo for the logistics industry. 'Warp is solving a deeply physical problem with true software discipline,' Blake said in a statement. 'This is full-stack automation, not just digital wrappers on legacy processes. They are bringing modern systems thinking to freight in a way the industry hasn't seen before.'
Los Angeles Times
23-06-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Logistics Firm Warp Raises $10 Million
Warp, a technology-powered middle-mile logistics company, raised $10 million in a Series A round led by and Blue Bear Capital. This funding round brings Warp's total to $22 million since inception in 2021. The company will utilize capital to expand its AI systems and launch a fully robotic cross-dock. This facility automates the entire freight lifecycle from inbound receiving and dimensioning to smart sortation and outbound dispatch. Warp already uses AI across routing, pricing, scheduling, visibility and customer service to gain efficiency and reduce costs. 'This round isn't about growing a team. It is about multiplying output,' said Daniel Sokolovsky, chief executive and co-founder of Warp, in a statement. Information for this article was sourced from Warp.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Warp raises $10M to fund fully automated robotic cross-dock facility
Los Angeles-based tech logistics company Warp announced Friday it has secured a $10 million Series A round to scale its AI-powered freight network via robotics and automation. A news release from the company stated that the fundraising effort, led by and Blue Bear Capital, brings Warp's total funding to $22 million since its founding in 2021. The new capital will fund Warp's AI systems and the launch of its first fully robotic cross-dock, an automation facility that Warp stated will automate the entire freight lifecycle from inbound receiving to outbound dispatch. 'Warp is already deploying AI across routing, pricing, scheduling, visibility, and customer service, and early results show significant gains in efficiency, on-time performance, and cost reduction,' the release company currently has a national network of 50 cross-docks and over 10,000 carrier vehicles ranging from cargo vans to 53-footers. Its new robotics site will allow for goods to move faster and more efficiently for both B2B and D2C shipments. 'Warp's approach doesn't just optimize freight,' said Ally Warson, partner at in the release. 'It redefines it. They're targeting the root causes of middle-mile inefficiency: labor dependency, lack of visibility, and brittle networks. Their agent- and automation-first approach is the future of supply chain infrastructure.' But Warp won't be allocating its fundraising to hiring. According to its release, the company only plans to hire 10 more full-time, salaried employees – ever. Remaining resources will go towards its technological and automation efforts. 'This round isn't about growing a team,' said Daniel Sokolovsky, co-founder and CEO of Warp, in the release. 'It is about multiplying output. We are scaling with intelligent agents that make our amazing people a thousand times more productive.'The post Warp raises $10M to fund fully automated robotic cross-dock facility appeared first on FreightWaves. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Warp Raises $10M to Scale AI-Powered Freight Network with Robotics and Automation with Minimal Hires
Logistics startup rapidly deploying AI across every part of the business, delivering massive performance gains while building a fully robotic cross-dock and eliminating mode-based shipping constraints Los Angeles, CA, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Warp, the tech-powered middle-mile logistics company, today announced a $10 million Series A round led by and Blue Bear Capital. This brings Warp's total funding to $22 million since its founding in 2021. The new capital will fund the rapid expansion of Warp's AI systems and the launch of its first fully robotic cross-dock, a flagship facility that automates the entire freight lifecycle from inbound receiving and dimensioning to smart sortation and outbound dispatch. Warp is already deploying AI across routing, pricing, scheduling, visibility, and customer service, and early results show significant gains in efficiency, on-time performance, and cost reduction. Connected to Warp's national network of 50 cross-docks and over 10,000 carrier vehicles, from cargo vans to 53-footers, the robotic site will enable faster, more precise movement of goods across both B2B and D2C shipments. By dynamically matching shipments to the best route, vehicle, and node regardless of mode, Warp is blending what the industry used to call LTL and FTL. In Warp's world, freight isn't defined by mode. It is defined by a shipper's price and speed preferences. 'Warp's approach doesn't just optimize freight. It redefines it. They're targeting the root causes of middle-mile inefficiency: labor dependency, lack of visibility, and brittle networks,' said Ally Warson, Partner at 'Their agent- and automation-first approach is the future of supply chain infrastructure.' Unlike most startups that raise capital to expand headcount, Warp has plans to hire just 10 more full-time, salaried employees. Ever. Instead of scaling with bodies, Warp is scaling with automation, intelligent agents, and software, building a freight infrastructure that runs itself. 'This round isn't about growing a team. It is about multiplying output,' said Daniel Sokolovsky, Co-Founder and CEO of Warp. 'We are scaling with intelligent agents that make our amazing people a thousand times more productive. In parallel, Warp is advancing its Apple Vision Pro-powered supply chain interface, giving shippers a fully immersive view of their freight in motion, down to the node, dock, and truck. 'Warp is solving a deeply physical problem with true software discipline,' said Vaughn Blake, Partner at Blue Bear Capital. 'This is full-stack automation, not just digital wrappers on legacy processes. They are bringing modern systems thinking to freight in a way the industry hasn't seen before.' 'Shippers don't want freight. They want outcomes, guaranteed every time,' said Troy Lester, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer at Warp. 'Warp is building the only freight network that connects AI, robotics, and transportation to give them exactly what they want. In a volatile world, we are engineering certainty. Always the best rate. Always perfect service. Soon, that won't be a promise. It will be standard.' To learn more, visit About Warp Warp is a technology-powered freight network focused on modernizing the middle mile of American logistics. By connecting shippers, cross-docks, and carriers through a single operating system, Warp enables flexible, efficient, and highly visible domestic freight movement. With real-time tracking, AI-powered routing, and a versatile national fleet, Warp helps brands take control of their U.S. supply chain without the complexity of legacy networks. To learn more, visit Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements include, but are not limited to, expectations regarding Warp's future operations, plans to scale AI and robotics, anticipated performance improvements, and the development and impact of the company's automated infrastructure. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs, assumptions, and expectations, and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and changes in circumstances that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, changes in market conditions, customer adoption rates, technological feasibility, supply chain disruptions, competition, regulatory developments, and the ability to execute business strategies as planned. Warp undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they are made, except as required by law. CONTACT: Stephanie Levinson, Director of Media Relations Warp press@
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How Warp is introducing robots to automate its network of warehouses
Warp was founded in 2021 to help companies streamline their shipping supply chains and reduce costs through its tech-enabled network of shippers, carriers and warehouses. Now, it wants to make supply chains further efficient by using robots to automate its web of warehouses. Daniel Sokolovsky, the co-founder and CEO of Warp, told TechCrunch that Warp is always looking for ways to make shipping more efficient for its customers, which include enterprises like Walmart, Gopuff, and HelloFresh. With the advancements in AI, the company thought there could be more opportunities to automate. Warp can't automate the long-haul trucking or short-range delivery aspects of the supply chain, Sokolovsky said, so it's working on what it can potentially change: the workflows inside its warehouses. Warp started by installing cameras into its test warehouse in Los Angeles and used computer vision to turn that data into a virtual warehouse to start experimenting. 'We effectively made a digital twin, or simulation environment for our LA facility,' Sokolovsky said. '[We] basically started just like throwing stuff at the wall. Honestly, a lot of it was, what happens if we do this? What happens if we do that? What happens if we do that other thing?' One of their first ideas was to train humanoid robots to use traditional pallet jacks, which did not work. Then Warp started to find success using off-the-self robots with some additional tech retrofitted on. 'We've taken really, really complicated logistics problems, divided them into a lot of easily digestible, system understood and system-fed components,' Sokolovsky said. 'We are now using, whether it's AI in the form of voice, text, email, phone calls or robotics, [to make sure] that we're unloading, storing and reloading freight. We actually think that we can actually continue this on, and really get to our goals as quickly as possible, without hiring more people.' Troy Lester, Warp co-founder and CRO, said that these robots will help give Warp's underlying warehouse partners — other than its Los Angeles test facility, the company doesn't outright own the warehouses in its network — an edge, also helping to reduce labor costs. 'They're complaining to us about staffing issues all the time,' Lester said. 'The labor that's doing the work in these facilities, they're not liking it either. So I think there is an opportunity to kind of empower those businesses to have these robotic kits that would not only help make our network better, but help make their business with other companies better as well.' Warp raised a $10 million Series A round to help with this latest development. The round was co-led by and Blue Bear Capital. Warp is testing several different versions of the robots and ambitiously claims it will start deploying this year. Sokolovsky said Warp's Los Angeles test facility is totally autonomous, and the company plans to start deploying these robots to warehouses in its core networks — Los Angeles, Chicago, New Jersey, Dallas, and Miami — first. Warp doesn't plan on selling the tech outside of its hub — at least for now — because it gives Warp, and its underlying warehouse partners, a competitive advantage. 'Instead of going out and saying, hey, we're just a robot company, AI company, and spend money on like this potential concept, it's like, no, we're actually a logistics company that has been really impacting and servicing our customers,' Sokolovsky said. 'For the past few years now, we've developed an amazing system and an ecosystem that's allowing us to deploy these kinds of automations.' Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
