Fernride develops scalable automation solutions for trucks in yard and port logistics. the startup on the so-called 'human-assisted autonomy' approach, which enables the remote takeover of autonomous, electric trucks. Founded in 2019, the company's customers include Volkswagen, DB Schenker, and HHLA. With its solution, the startup aims to address the shortage of truck drivers, rising CO2 emissions, and tight profit margins in the logistics industry.
Fernride is financed by venture capitalists 10x Founders, Promus Ventures, Fly Ventures, Speedinvest, and Push Ventures. HHLA Next, DB Schenker, and Krone are also supporting the startup. With the expansion of its Series A, the German Deep Tech and Climate Fund (DTCF). Also participating in the financing are San Francisco-based Munich Re Ventures, Bayern Kapital, and Klaus Kleinfeld. The latter will also assume the key role of chairman of Fernride's supervisory board.
Hendrik Kramer, co-founder and CEO of Fernride, says:
"With the completion of our $50 million Series A, we have created an investor base of multiple companies and large venture capitalists that can provide us with many important strategic advantages along the value chain and finance our ambitious growth plans to establish ourselves as the global market leader in autonomous, electric driving."
Fernride is “the optimal way to build fully autonomous capabilities”
Elisabeth Schrey from the DTCF adds:
"Fernride has assembled an exceptional team within the industry and has the potential to become a leading global technology champion from Germany. Fernride's use of groundbreaking technologies that automate and decarbonize the supply chain fits very well with the investment focus of the Deep Tech and Climate Fund."
And Timur Davis, Director at Munich Re Ventures, explains:
"We believe Fernride's phased approach with human supervision is the optimal path to building fully autonomous capabilities. Fernride has already proven its ability to partner with key industry players and is able to quickly build on its unique strengths and capabilities to succeed where others in the market have failed."
