Moova co-founders, CEO Tony Migliore and CTO Marcos Detry. Photo: Moova/Courtesy

Argentina's Moova CEO: "We have delivered over 2 million packages in a region where low carbon solutions are still largely inaccessible"

With over 1,000 clients, the startup recently opened operations in Colombia and has a bold roadmap for the region

09.Nov.2021 16:23 BRT
UPDATED 10.Nov.2021 16:35 BRT

Moova, a digital logistics platform and delivery service in urban markets headquartered in Argentina, was the only Argentina-based startup considered for the Green Mobility/Smart cities category at G20 Innovation League, hosted by the Italian presidency in October.

The South American firm’s smart routing software was selected as an innovative and environmentally-friendly business since it helps to avoid empty spaces in trucks. As e-commerce spurred last-mile delivery in the region, the startup is focusing on delivery through green road transportation by trucks, which are the ones that produce half of all trade-related freight emissions, according to the International Carbon Footprint of Global Trade report.

About that, LABS talked to the CEO and founder of Moova, Antonio Migliore.

LABS – How does Moova’s business model work? How is it more sustainable?

AM – We leverage fully on technology. We transform idle logistics capacity into high efficiency, low cost, and environmentally friendly delivery solutions. We empower urban logistics players by giving them access to cutting-edge technology for real-time routes and cost optimization. And integration into our platform to minimize idle capacity and transform it into profit.

We aim to fulfill the rising demand for same-day delivery with the least amount of vehicles in the streets. We have the largest footprint for last-mile delivery service in LATAM. So, the larger and more robust Moova’s network is, the bigger the efficiency, and the lower the carbon emissions.

LABS – Do you have data to show how Moova can help the environment?

AM – We created algorithms that analyze 4 million optimal routes in 5 seconds and accurately ensure the most efficient alternative. While delivering, logistics companies connect to our network and take on shipments in spaces that would otherwise be empty, moovers have reported in the polls we did that they lower on average 40% of idle capacity.

It’s a lot of space that would have required additional vehicles in the streets.

One of the most important features of our tech is that it allows users to add packages ‘on the fly’ and re-route as many times as necessary from their live location, adding on average 50% daily shipments mid-tour.

We have delivered over 2 million packages in a region where low-carbon solutions are still largely inaccessible. And we have done this without adding one single vehicle to the streets. Our engineering team has measured that by delivering these 2 million, we have saved from adding 200 vehicles to the streets of Latin America. If by 2030 we deliver the 100M packages that we intend to, we will have saved from adding 25,000 vehicles.

We already drive sustainable efficiency in logistics. And are also working on driving sustainability through other methods. We are committed to providing full transparency to every stakeholder. So we are in the process of measuring, monitoring, and reporting everything we do. We are also committed to working with emission reduction solutions promoting good practices throughout our value chain and implementing high-quality off-setting projects to reach net-zero carbon by 2030.

LABS – How was the participation in G20 Innovation League?

AM – The experience was incredibly rich. We were the only Argentine player in the Smart Cities and Mobility category and we have seen work from players all over the world. There were a lot of interesting and inspiring projects among the selected companies in the challenge together with us.

There were a lot of enlightening conversations on an immense variety of topics around the vertical. There’s for sure a collaborative connection between everyone involved in bringing sustainability to mobility, so it was a great learning experience for everyone I think.

Particularly for us at Moova, it was a good way of getting a sort of validation or confirmation from the international community that we are aligned with the most innovative players in the world. We are actually shaping the logistics of the future in Latin America. Therefore being selected as part of the companies that are facing humankind challenges was an honor.

But, also, we work hard every day to enable the development of smart cities in the continent by growing the foundations of sustainable development. So, absolutely humbled to be there, but we were also aware that we belong in that league.

LABS – How do you see ESG policies in LatAm today?

AM – According to ECLAC (United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean), Latin America and the Caribbean are some of the most urbanized regions of the planet, where 81% of the population live in cities and 56% of people commute daily in public transportation. Sustainable urban mobility and, both private and public transportation must be part of the political agenda of the Region.

These politics are not a need for the future, it’s today’s agenda. LATAM cannot be a stranger to them. We need to be resilient to the environment’s reality and its impact on people’s lives. At Moova we commit to aligning with the international agenda working for safe and sustainable mobility with efficient systems that allow us to work on the quality of life of citizens. We are all part of the change.

LABS – How many customers Moova has now, and where does Moova want to get by the end of the year?

AM – We have over 1,000 clients. We have a less than 2% churn rate from our big clients such as Nestle, Samsung, AT/T, UPS, Mercado Libre, Guess, among others. We are in a non-stop expansion stage. We are opening new markets all the time. We just opened Colombia last month. So, client volume increases exponentially. Some clients

started trusting us in multiple markets.

LABS – Is there any expansion roadmap through LatAm?

AM – Absolutely. We are currently in Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Colombia, Mexico, and Guatemala. We have expanded in these markets in less than 3 years.

We have two globally scalable business models. Our last mile core business and our SaaS, the platform license to logistics companies. Scalability is part of our core. So, yes, there’s definitely an expansion roadmap but not necessarily only throughout Latin America.