Efficient processes through data-based services
Case Study: How KAREKA Logistics successfully integrates NeoCargo and NeoMatch into daily operations
Review of the autumn trade fair:
With new impulses into the next year
In the past months, we were represented at numerous events - like Felix Brandt and Larissa Eger at the BVL Congress in Berlin. In the interview, Larissa reviews the events.
It has been a very exciting year for us at NeoCargo. Starting with the spin-off from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) to our go-live in the summer and our visits to numerous trade fairs. There, we were either allowed to present our solution for medium-sized freight forwarders in a lecture or were represented with our own stand.
With a little distance, the impressions from the BÄM! Camp, the ELVIS partner meeting, the trans aktuell symposium, the congress of the German Logistics Association, the Bavarian Logistics Forum, the Road Transport Day, the Logistics Summit and the fifth DVZ conference. So it's the perfect opportunity to ask our co-founder, Larissa Eger, how she experienced the autumn trade fair.
Larissa, you were represented at numerous events from September to November. As a young start-up, it was often the first visit. How was it to experience the industry live and in person and to (re)see your partners?
Larissa Eger: Totally cool! Many partners we had previously only known from virtual meetings we saw live for the first time and got to know even better. Such encounters also create trust, as you can exchange ideas much better - even away from hard facts and professional topics. It was also pleasing for us that we already have a certain recognition value in the industry. Many companies are already familiar with NeoCargo, even though we have "only" been around for a year. It is really nice to notice that the benefits of our application are spreading throughout the industry.
What is your conclusion after your visits?
Eger: A very positive one! It was exhausting, but extremely worthwhile. Especially because of the number of different trade fairs, you always take away new impulses, trends and innovations - whether from lectures or trade fair stands.
We also had the opportunity to talk to many partners. We also met many new people - especially at the TMS providers and freight forwarders. It is difficult, for example, to visit every single freight forwarder, even though we like to do that. That is much easier at a trade fair and the personal contact made dealing with each other much more familiar right away.
It was also really cool to get to know other start-ups and to exchange information about how they were founded, how they got started and what experiences they had already gained. We quickly realised what exciting and innovative ideas they had.
You had already mentioned lectures and trade fair stands. You have given presentations yourself, for example at the BVL Congress or at the DVZ Conference. You also had a stand at the Logistics Forum Bavaria. Which form of presentation do you prefer?
Eger: I like both. I like giving lectures myself. The advantage is that we can present ourselves as a company and person as well as our product to a larger circle at the same time. However, I find it a pity that this form lacks a bit of personal exchange. That's why I'm always happy when someone comes up to me after the lecture and we can talk.
The advantage of having our own stand is that we can talk to our visitors individually - without time pressure. The guests come by when it suits them, we talk and can answer questions immediately. This direct exchange is very pleasant.
In short, for me it's not an either-or question. Both are exciting.
What were the highlights of the events for you?
Eger: One of the highlights was definitely the number of visitors at the fairs. They were so well attended and organised.
Also the presentations - be it Jochen Eschborn, CEO of ELVIS AG, at the ELVIS AG partner meeting or the start-up pitches in Hamburg at the Logistics Summit - you could take something away from every speaker. Especially the topics of cloud solutions, digitalisation and e-mobility were extremely exciting and instructive for us as a start-up from the industry.
In personal conversations, it was nice to notice that people quickly understood the principle of NeoCargo and that questions that arose almost answered themselves. This is a great benefit for us when the benefit of our solution is seen after such a short time.
Looking ahead to the coming year: Are there any trade fairs that you definitely want to visit in 2023?
Eger: We have the Transport logistic in Munich firmly marked in our calendar. We would like to exchange ideas with many forwarding companies there. Otherwise, we will check where we are going at the beginning of next year.