LaneAxis (2024)
About this raise
LaneAxis, with a valuation of $75 million, is raising funds on Wefunder. The company is revolutionizing the global supply chain industry by creating the first broker-less shipper-to-carrier direct freight network. LaneAxis’ network is powered by blockchain and the AXIS utility token. The patented technology of LaneAxis uses a data-fuelled network to connect shippers with carriers and automates shipping management. Rick Burnett founded LaneAxis in 2015. The current crowdfunding campaign has a minimum target of $50,000 and a maximum target of $5 million. The campaign proceeds will be used for marketing, building awareness, team expansion, hiring additional developers, corporate additions, and network staffing.
Investment Overview
Not Funded: $5,500
Deal Terms
Company & Team
Company
- Year Founded
- 2015
- Industry
- Transportation, Automotive, Aviation, & Aerospace
- Tech Sector
- Distribution Model
- B2B
- Margin
- High
- Capital Intensity
- Low
Financials
- Revenue +56% YoY
-
$3,078,196
as of FY2022
- Monthly Burn
-
$79,800
as of FY2022
-
Runway
-
6.1 months
as of FY2022
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Synopsis
The logistics and transportation industry, particularly the trucking sector, is a critical component of the global economy, with the U.S. freight industry alone valued at approximately $1 trillion. However, this sector is often burdened by inefficiencies such as brokerage fees, empty truck miles, and a lack of transparency and trust between shippers and carriers. The traditional brokerage system, which connects shippers with carriers, is ripe for disruption as it can be costly and inefficient, often leading to managed fees that can total upwards of $200 billion.
LaneAxis is poised to revolutionize this space by introducing a broker-less shipper-to-carrier direct freight network. Using blockchain technology and the proprietary AXIS utility token, LaneAxis aims to automate shipping management and establish a data-driven network directly connecting shippers with carriers. This innovative approach seeks to eliminate significant managed fees and reduce the staggering 28 billion empty truck miles traveled per year, enhancing overall supply chain efficiency.
The company's patented technology streamlines the entire freight management process, eliminating the need for traditional phone and fax communication while mitigating the impact of supply chain disruptions, whether predictable or unforeseen. LaneAxis's vision extends beyond merely optimizing logistics; it transforms the outdated supply chain into a digitized, global network that bridges the freight industry with the emerging Web 3.0 landscape.
With a valuation of $75 million, LaneAxis is currently raising funds on Wefunder to support its ambitious growth strategy. The capital raised is earmarked for various strategic initiatives, including marketing, building brand awareness, expanding the team with additional developers, and staffing the network to ensure its robust operation.
Price
LaneAxis is raising funds on Wefunder with a valuation cap of $75 million, utilizing a SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) with a 15% discount. The company's revenue multiple is 24.36x based on the most recent fiscal year-end revenue of $3,078,196. This revenue multiple is relatively high for the Transportation/Automotive industry, which may lead to the perception that the company is overvalued. However, the company has shown significant annual revenue growth of 55.88%, indicating a strong upward trajectory in its financial performance.
Investors considering participation in this round should weigh the high growth potential against the current revenue multiple. The 15% discount provided through the SAFE may mitigate the high valuation cap, but it is crucial to consider the exit potential for startups like LaneAxis. For investors to achieve a 10X return on exit, LaneAxis would need to reach a valuation of at least $750 million (not accounting for dilution). This would require substantial market penetration and continued rapid growth. The company's patented technology and existing partnerships do provide a foundation for such expansion, but the path to achieving a valuation of this magnitude is not guaranteed.
Market
LaneAxis is positioned within the US Freight Management Systems market, which is a substantial segment of the broader transportation and logistics industry. According to data from MarketsandMarkets, this market is valued at approximately $4.8 billion, and is experiencing a healthy growth rate of 10.1% annually. This growth indicates the increasing demand for efficient freight management, driven by the complexities of global supply chains and the need for more sophisticated logistics solutions.
The company's innovative approach—creating a broker-less shipper-to-carrier direct freight network—is particularly noteworthy in an industry that traditionally relies heavily on intermediaries. By leveraging blockchain technology and the AXIS utility token, LaneAxis is addressing critical pain points in the industry, including reducing managed fees, potentially amounting to $200 billion, and minimizing empty truck miles, which stand at a staggering 28 billion per year.
Despite the industry's moderate competition, LaneAxis' patented technology, which automates shipping management and connects shippers with carriers directly, provides a unique value proposition. The company's focus on eliminating traditional brokerage roles and catastrophic supply chain disruptions positions it uniquely in the market, potentially allowing it to capture significant market share.
Team
LaneAxis is spearheaded by CEO Rick Burnett, who brings nine years of relevant industry experience to the company. Burnett has been instrumental in developing LaneAxis's patented technology as the sole founder. Despite being a first-time founder, Burnett has demonstrated his commitment to the company by working full-time and leading the charge toward growth. Under his leadership, LaneAxis has raised over $7.7 million in prior funding rounds, indicating investor confidence in the company's potential to transform the freight management systems market in the United States.
The LaneAxis team, comprising 15 members, has not seen growth since the last funding round. However, the company's current crowdfunding campaign on Wefunder, with a valuation of $75 million, aims to raise funds for marketing, team expansion, and hiring additional developers, among other objectives. This suggests a strategic plan to bolster the team's capabilities and drive further development of the LaneAxis network.
Differentiation
LaneAxis is positioning itself as a transformative player in the US freight management systems industry by leveraging blockchain technology to create a broker-less shipper-to-carrier direct freight network. This innovative approach could disrupt the traditional broker-based model, often criticized for its inefficiency and lack of transparency. By providing a data-driven network that automates shipping management and connects shippers directly with carriers, LaneAxis can potentially eliminate substantial managed fees and reduce the number of empty truck miles per year.
The company's use of the AXIS utility token within its blockchain-powered network distinguishes it from traditional freight management systems. This tokenization could streamline transactions and enhance trust and transparency within the supply chain. LaneAxis’s patented technology further solidifies its unique market position, potentially offering a competitive edge over the traditional brokerage systems that dominate the $1 trillion U.S. freight industry.
Furthermore, the fact that LaneAxis has already secured paying customers and formed partnerships indicates that there is market validation for its broker-less network concept. As the company moves from the pre-profit to the growth stage, its focus on eliminating inefficiencies and fostering direct connections in the supply chain could see it gaining more traction within the industry.
Performance
Financially, LaneAxis has demonstrated a capacity for raising capital with a total amount raised of $7.71 million. This indicates investor confidence in the company's business model and prospects. LaneAxis has attracted users and paying customers, as evidenced by its reported annual revenue of $3.08 million, representing a substantial 55.88% growth. This revenue growth indicates the company's increasing market penetration and product adoption.
Despite being in a pre-profit development phase, LaneAxis has shown medium user base growth and revenue growth since the last funding round. This is a positive sign that the company is expanding its market reach and solidifying its presence in the industry. However, it is important to note that the company has not reported any progress in product development or team growth since the last round, which could be a concern for potential investors.
The company operates with a monthly burn rate of $79,800.42 and had cash and cash equivalents of $482,897 at the end of the most recent fiscal year. This positions LaneAxis with a runway of approximately six months, assuming the burn rate remains constant and no additional funding is secured.
Risk
LaneAxis is positioned in a dynamic and evolving industry with several inherent risks. The company's reliance on its patented technology for a broker-less shipper-to-carrier direct freight network means its success is contingent upon widespread market acceptance and integration. While the company states that market acceptance is high, the actual adoption of its blockchain-powered network may be slower than projected, as the freight industry is traditionally slow to adopt new technologies, leading to a prolonged sales cycle.
Another risk is associated with the high revenue multiple of 24.36x, which suggests that LaneAxis is valued significantly higher than its current revenue might justify. This may indicate that the investment is priced on the expectation of aggressive future growth, which may or may not materialize as projected. Moreover, the company's financial statements reveal a negative net income and a monthly burn rate, underscoring the importance of continued access to capital for sustained operations and growth.
Furthermore, using blockchain and the AXIS utility token introduces complexity and potential regulatory oversight that could impact LaneAxis's business model. The regulatory environment concerning blockchain is still being defined, and changes in regulations or legal obstacles could adversely affect the company's operations.
Finally, LaneAxis’s decision to operate a two-sided marketplace means it must attract and retain shippers and carriers to its platform. This dual focus can be resource-intensive and introduces risks related to network effects, where the service's value depends on the size of its user base on both sides of the market.
Bullish Outlook
LaneAxis is poised to disrupt the $1.2 trillion trucking industry with its groundbreaking broker-less shipper-to-carrier direct freight network—a first-of-its-kind innovation powered by patented blockchain technology. The trucking and logistics sector is ripe for such transformation, and LaneAxis's direct model could potentially carve out a significant niche in a market historically dominated by middlemen.
The company's growth is demonstrated by its impressive 55.88% annual revenue growth, a clear indication of market traction and validation of its business model. With $3,078,196 in annual revenue, LaneAxis shows promising scalability and the potential to capture an even larger market share in the US Freight Management Systems industry.
LaneAxis's patented technology is a critical asset, providing a strong competitive edge in an industry where innovation is key to efficiency and cost reduction. With the ability to minimize empty truck miles and eliminate hefty managed fees—currently pegged at about $200 billion—the company's value proposition is compelling for shippers and carriers alike, promising to streamline operations and enhance transparency across the supply chain.
Moreover, using blockchain and the AXIS utility token further solidifies LaneAxis's commitment to leading the freight and logistics industry into the digital age. With an established user base and partnerships, LaneAxis is not merely conceptual but an operational entity with a clear plan for growth, as evidenced by the funds earmarked for marketing, team expansion, and network staffing.
At a $75 million valuation in a Series B round, LaneAxis presents itself as a high-growth company with a unique solution in a high-barrier-to-entry market. The company's foresight in automating shipping management through its data-fueled network speaks to a future where such efficiency is standard, making LaneAxis a potentially visionary investment in transportation and logistics.
Bearish Outlook
LaneAxis is taking an innovative approach to the highly competitive and complex global supply chain industry. It aims to disrupt traditional freight broker models by utilizing blockchain technology. However, significant obstacles and risks could deter its success, and potential investors should consider them with caution.
Firstly, the company's current revenue multiple is an eye-watering 24.36x. This is a significant valuation for a pre-profit company, which may indicate an overvalued proposition, potentially limiting upside growth for investors. The high revenue multiple, coupled with a history of net losses (a net income of -$957,605 in the most recent fiscal year-end), suggests that the company has yet to demonstrate a path to profitability and sustainable growth.
Secondly, while the blockchain and AXIS utility token are innovative aspects of LaneAxis's value proposition, blockchain adoption in the logistics industry is still in its nascent stages and faces regulatory, technical, and adoption challenges. The success of the AXIS token as a utility within the platform is not guaranteed and relies on widespread market acceptance, which is difficult to predict and achieve.
Furthermore, LaneAxis's operational model, which eliminates freight brokers, may face resistance from entrenched industry players with established networks and relationships. Convincing stakeholders to replace existing systems with LaneAxis's network could prove challenging, especially without a significant track record or proof of sustained cost advantages.
Finally, the company's valuation of $75 million is ambitious, and the monthly burn rate of $79,800.42 suggests that LaneAxis could run out of available funds quickly without achieving significant milestones. This financial pressure could force the company to make unfavorable funding or business decisions that could impact its long-term viability.
Executive Summary
LaneAxis is pioneering a significant shift in the $1.2 trillion trucking industry by establishing the first broker-less shipper-to-carrier direct freight network. Leveraging blockchain technology and the AXIS utility token, LaneAxis aims to increase efficiency, transparency, and trust within the global supply chain, potentially eliminating substantial managed fees and reducing empty truck miles. The patented technology behind LaneAxis automates shipping management, connecting shippers directly with carriers through a data-driven network.
Since its founding in 2015, LaneAxis has raised over $7.7 million in prior funding rounds and has reported a 55.88% annual revenue growth, with the most recent fiscal year-end revenue reaching $3,078,196. Despite this growth, the company is still in the pre-profit phase, with a monthly burn rate of $79,800.42 and a net income loss of $957,605. The current crowdfunding campaign on Wefunder, with a valuation cap of $75 million, seeks to raise between $50,000 and $5 million. These funds are intended for marketing, awareness building, team expansion, hiring developers, corporate additions, and network staffing.
Given the increasing demand for innovative and efficient supply chain solutions, the US freight management systems market presents a high potential for LaneAxis. With high barriers to entry and a moderately competitive landscape, LaneAxis' patented technology and dedicated founders place it in a strong position to capitalize on its unique value proposition within the transportation and logistics industry.
As the company continues to grow, it will be critical for potential investors to consider the balance between the high valuation and the risks associated with a company still striving to become profitable. LaneAxis' technological advancements and strategic vision suggest a forward-thinking approach to modernizing a traditionally fragmented and complex industry.
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Company Funding & Growth
Funding history
- Total Prior Capital Raised
- $7,709,482
- VC Backed?
- No
Close Date | Platform | Valuation | Total Raised | Security Type | Status | Reg Type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
05/23/2024 | DealMaker Securities | $75,000,000 | $1,667,631 | Equity - Common | Funded | RegA+ |
04/29/2024 | Wefunder | $75,000,000 | $5,500 | SAFE | Not Funded | RegCF |
11/15/2022 | DealMaker Securities | $75,000,000 | $950,000 | Equity - Common | Funded | RegA+ |
08/31/2021 | StartEngine | $32,681,048 | $4,933,734 | Equity - Common | Funded | RegCF |
05/21/2020 | StartEngine | $7,970,000 | $1,069,952 | Equity - Common | Funded | RegCF |
Growth Charts
Revenue History
Note: Revenue data points reflect the latest of either the most recent fiscal year's financials, or updated revenues directly from the founder, at each raise's close date.
Valuation History
Price per Share History
Note: Share prices shown in earlier rounds may not be indicative of any stock splits.