Olivier Maurel (CEO) | Susan Haimet (CRO) | Andres Burbano (CTO)

In a world where environmental sustainability is paramount, MCLedger emerges as an influential player for change in the transport sector. MCLedger is a cutting-edge Software as a Service (SaaS) platform dedicated to reshaping multimodal and co-modal goods transport. At the heart of MCLedger's mission is the urgent need to decarbonize overland freight transport by reducing the number of trucks on our roads and transition towards environmentally friendlier transport alternatives, notably trains and river transport. With transportation currently contributing to 30% of greenhouse gas emissions, the imperative to decarbonize this sector cannot be overstated. Surprisingly, a 75% of European goods transport relies on road networks, which, compared to trains, emit 10x more pollutants. By opting for a train over 45 trucks, we can achieve an astonishing 93% reduction in CO2 emissions.

1. Describe the problem/the industry that you are trying to mediate (and precise the UN SDG-s you are solving).

MCLedger aims to promote the decarbonization of overland freight transport by encouraging a shift from road to rail. This issue corresponds to the UN SDG-s 11 (11.2 Affordable and sustainable transport system). We are proposing to use the available space on passenger trains and buses to send express freight (small packages - e-commerce) for both regional and high-speed distribution, and to offer this solution to all the players in the express chain.

2. How did the idea to create the company come to mind? How did your team come to be?

It's an idea that was born several years ago and led to the creation of this project with a team of people who had already worked together and who shared the objective of a greener planet. We represented all the skills needed for the project: railway, commercial, financial, with more women than men and 4 continents represented.

3. Why did you choose to participate in the Paris Techstars accelerator program? What are you looking forward to the most?

At an investor meeting in Paris-Saclay, co-founder Susan met the members of Techstars and found the program fantastic - she convinced the other co-founders that it could help us to realize our goals faster and to apply. We want to rapidly develop our co-modality project across Europe and then worldwide. To do this we will need resources and to raise funds in the coming months.

4. What are you the most proud of in your initial journey with your company?

Having developed a digital platform that has enabled us to meet the expectations of our first customers, then gaining the support of the French Ministry of Transport via the Propulse Acceleration program, which has helped our co-modality project to advance to the next level - and now having been selected by Techstars sustainability Paris Team and we did it being fully self-funded.

5. How do you plan to measure the positive impact of your company in the next 5 years?

Our project has a strong environmental impact with a reduced investment, since we propose to use existing means and infrastructure (passenger trains, buses). The light freight sector is growing very fast (+6% to 9% per year) - it accounts for 6% of emissions in France - taking 20% of express freight off the road in 5 years' time means 1% fewer emissions overall - it's worth trying to develop co-modality!

For the latest news on our applications, please visit our page.

Read More