SmartHop raises $4.5 million

SmartHop, a Florida-based dispatch solution helping small trucking companies to grow their businesses, has closed a $4.5 million Seed round led by Equal Ventures, with participation from Greycroft and Las Olas VC.

Founded in 2017, SmartHop’s solution is designed for small trucking companies to improve efficiency and have “enhanced capabilities compared to leading carriers, without needing to be a sophisticated enterprise.” The platform offers easy load booking, end-to-end back-office support, and above-market rates per mile so customers can “truck smarter not harder.”

The company is creating “the largest” country-wide network of reliable carriers, connecting truckers with guaranteed above-market rates to keep their business running profitably, and its all-in-one solution provides strategic analyses of carriers for digital booking, load suggestions based on location, date, hours of service and preferred trip type, and detailed performance reports supported with strategies for improvement.

“We created SmartHop to service a majority of the freight industry that has lacked the tools to grow their businesses efficiently. We’re excited to work with our investors and industry veterans to streamline success for small carriers and owner-operators so they can take control of their business and feel the freedom of being an independent trucker again.” – Guillermo Garcia, co-founder and CEO of SmartHop.

“Guillermo and the SmartHop team offer a competitive advantage for small carriers by utilizing the latest technologies and tactics to provide truckers everywhere with the opportunity to level up their livelihood. We believe SmartHop will continue to serve as a reliable copilot for truckers as they navigate the industry.” – Rick Zullo, Co-founder and Partner at Equal Ventures.

“Guillermo has assembled the technology and team to reshape the trucking industry and empower thousands of truckers to operate with a new sophistication. We’re excited to support SmartHop as they continue to build out their offerings to provide small carriers with opportunities for additional growth.” – Will Szczerbiak, principal at Greycroft.

Bottom Line: as the company scales, it is working to help truckers lower operational costs, initially through partnerships on the insurance and fuel side.