Johannesburg-based start-up sendEDDY is looking to disrupt the traditional way of moving goods between two parties.
sendEDDY was founded in 2015 by South African-born Jeanine Osborne and has been operational for one year. The company was registered in February 2016. Osborne notes that in the first six months, concept development was prioritised and this was followed by four months of testing and app development.
The start-up received its first cash injection in July 2016 and the app was rolled out as a pilot in January 2017.
sendEDDY describes itself as a disruptive peer-to-peer logistics team offering new ways of sending and receiving goods to and from businesses and individuals.
"This state-of-the-art technology platform connects self-employed drivers directly with companies or individuals requiring the movement of goods or parcels in a way that is convenient, safe and in a timely manner," Osborne says.
While the sendEDDY app is operational and has been used by several hundred individuals and a handful of small businesses, the development team is working to enhance usability, further automate the relationship between driver and sender, and reduce administration or paperwork, she points out.
Although there are several companies in the parcel delivery space, Osborne believes continuous development in cognitive and intelligent management will set sendEDDY apart from the pack. "By supporting the seamless movement of goods through the channels available via sendEDDY, we aim to appeal to all target markets. We aspire to be a brand that is young, vibrant and associated with creating an inclusive economy."
According to Osborne, sendEDDY has over 200 drivers signed up to the app and several hundred waiting to sign on once the company has a steady delivery rate.
"Hundreds of deliveries have taken place, many of which were managed by the automated technology workflow which connects the driver and the customer with no intervention. We have built a two- to three-day workshop process to onboard new clients looking for more than 50 deliveries a day."
She adds the start-up has established a vehicle authorisation centre to support accelerated growth and uptake of transporters and to verify credentials.
"sendEDDY has the potential to create employment for thousands of people from all walks of life. Through this app, transporters can take the opportunity to create their own logistics business on a formal or informal basis - this could include stay-at-home parents, university students, those holding a formal job but who wish to top up income, and the unemployed."
Osborne reveals that sendEDDY has four risk investors and employs a team of five, and the founders are looking for funding to help accelerate the business.
"We are geared to move in excess of 1 000 deliveries a day. Leadership is currently in discussion with a number of large investment groups. If an alliance is formed with one or more, a cash injection will support business growth. We are seeking a R10 million grant."
sendEDDY is leveraging the IBM Global Entrepreneurship Programme to access services such as Watson. Osborne is of the view that Watson will bring the artificial intelligence needed to take the business into the future.
Comparing South African start-ups with those in Silicon Valley, Osborne says: "Silicon Valley offers gold to start-ups - technology, funding, incubation and mentorship.
"In SA, we have several incubators; however, these are exclusive and have rules that could easily exclude start-ups and suppress ignition. In France, they have start-up pods where any person can go, use boardrooms, printing, WiFi. While sendEDDY has been incubated in a home office, we have found it difficult to gain access to resources such as boardrooms, research and support structures."
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