396: Take A Peek Behind The Curtain, with Flexport
Ryan Petersen is the Founder and CEO of Flexport, a leading platform for global logistics. He started the company after experiencing the inefficiencies of the freight forwarding industry firsthand with a previous import/export venture. Petersen bootstrapped Flexport for its first five years before successfully raising over $2.6 billion in investment. After a brief period as executive chairman, he has returned as CEO to steer the company through significant restructuring and strategic acquisitions, including Shopify Logistics and Convoy's technology. He is focused on building a culture of customer engagement, improving service quality, and pioneering the use of AI to create a more efficient and transparent supply chain.
Today I’m joined by Flexport, a leading tech brand that is on a mission to make global trade easy for everyone.
Flexport is the platform for global logistics. The platform simplifies global trade by connecting everyone in the supply chain. Developed to help you ship to and from anywhere, track everything, collaborate with everyone, and accelerate performance and growth for your entire supply chain, Flexport is setting a new standard for global trade.
Today Ryan Petersen, CEO of Flexport, joins me to talk all about his entrepreneurial journey; the changes happening behind the scenes at Flexport and what they’ve learned; how ongoing issues on the Red Sea are impacting supply chain; and what we can expect from Flexport, and from the industry, in 2024.
Guest bio:
Ryan Petersen is the Founder and CEO of Flexport, a leader in global supply chain technology. In 2022, companies of all sizes – from emerging brands to Fortune 500s – used Flexport technology to move more than $26 billion of merchandise. Prior to starting Flexport, Ryan was the founder and CEO of ImportGenius, a premier provider of transaction data for the global trade industry. He earned a BA from UC Berkeley and an MBA from Columbia Business School.
Ryan’s incredible founder journey, and the ‘why’ behind building Flexport.
How Ryan sold logistics tech as an investment opportunity, bringing interest to the industry and raising over $2 billion worth of investment for Flexport to date.
The role of the press in the ups and downs of Flexport’s history; Ryan’s approach to publicity; and his proactive approach to using marketing to bring transparency to the industry.
From acquisitions to internal re-structuring, a closer look at the big changes that have happened behind the scenes at Flexport over the last year.
Why Flexport acquired Shopify Logistics, and how it fits into Ryan’s vision for the future – particularly when it comes to growth and data.
The reason for the recent staff layoffs at Flexport, and why Ryan isn’t interested in bad press.
Why Flexport acquired technology from Convoy, and exactly how that technology will enhance Flexport’s offering.
From ongoing disruption on the Red Sea to sustainability issues, what we can expect from the industry in 2024 and how it’s impacting business.
How Flexport is successfully utilizing different forms of AI; why that success has been a decade in the making; and how Ryan plans to use AI in the future.
Flexport’s plans for 2024 with Ryan back in the role of CEO.
Resources & Links Mentioned
- Head over to Flexport’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Flexport and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook or X (Twitter) or you can connect with Ryan on LinkedIn or X (Twitter).
- If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more about Flexport, check out 338: Set a New Standard for Global Trade, with Flexport or 320: Going Inside The Mind of Anthony Miller.
- Check out our other podcasts HERE.
