Start-up Contest - inNOWvate Supply Chain Event

The European supply chain start-up landscape is evolving at breathtaking speed. For the 2026 edition of the European Supply Chain Start-up Contest, eleven innovative European start-ups have been selected, each tackling a critical part of the supply chain, from AI‑driven planning and real‑time visibility to sourcing optimisation, customs compliance, and measurable sustainability impact.

Together, these start-ups showcase where supply chain innovation is heading right now. Their solutions move beyond theory and hype, addressing real operational challenges such as forecast accuracy, exception-based planning, network design, supplier intelligence, first- and last‑mile visibility and actual CO2 reduction in logistics flows.

Three of these start-ups will be finalists in the contest and pitch live on the main stage at the inNOWvate Supply Chain Event. All participating start-ups will be present on the exhibition floor, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore cutting‑edge solutions up close and engage directly with the founders shaping the future of supply chains.

Supply Chain Planning & Decision-Making

foresAIght – AI‑driven demand forecasting for SMEs, combining multiple forecasting models and external data sources to reduce forecast errors and inventory imbalance.
Horizon Solutions – Collaborative planning platform integrating demand planning, supply planning, S&OP, and financial insights in one real‑time environment.
Konekti – Process‑based data layer that models supply chains end‑to‑end, enabling better AI‑supported decisions on orders, inventory, and OTIF performance.
Routly – Real‑time last‑mile route optimisation that continuously adapts to disruptions such as traffic, new orders, or cancellations.

Visibility & Network Insight

SCMotif – AI agents for supply chain network design and transport flow optimisation, making complex analyses accessible without specialist consultants.
Digire – End‑to‑end, real‑time visibility for complex and high‑value supply chains using IoT trackers, satellite data, and AI insights.
Digital Optima – First‑mile visibility platform improving purchase order communication and early risk detection between buyers, suppliers, and logistics partners.

Sourcing, Procurement & Compliance

FlockScore – Collective intelligence platform for supplier performance, combining anonymised market data with AI‑analysed external signals.
OptiProq – Sourcing optimisation as‑a‑service for SMEs, with pricing based on realised value instead of traditional software licences.
Northbound – AI‑powered automation of customs documentation and compliance for international trade, reducing errors and dependency on scarce specialists.

Sustainability & CO2 Reduction

CarbonLeap – Carbon insetting platform that enables measurable emission reductions within existing logistics flows, instead of external offsetting.

From these eleven contenders, a professional jury will select three finalists. They will pitch their solutions live on the main stage at Pathé Amsterdam Noord, in front of an audience of supply chain leaders and decision‑makers from across Europe.

For visitors, the Start‑up Contest offers a rare opportunity to see new, practical solutions presented clearly and independently without sales pitches or marketing hype.

Discover emerging supply chain solutions before they become mainstream
Hear short, focused pitches that get straight to the value
Be the first to see where European supply chain innovation is really heading
Meet the start‑ups personally on the exhibition floor

Martijn Lofvers is founder of Supply Chain Media and Chief Trendwatcher of the Dutch Supply Chain Magazine (since 2006) and the European quarterly Supply Chain Movement (since 2011). He is a frequent speaker on the topic of Supply Chain Strategy Mindmapping at international conferences and has conducted internal workshops on this subject for well-known multinationals. In addition to mind maps, he has developed various concepts for visualising complex topics, such as metro maps (with suppliers), roadmaps, and the Trend Compass. He studied business administration at Eindhoven University of Technology, specialising in supply chain management.

A passionate supply chain expert and experienced venture capitalist, he invests in early-stage supply chain start-ups to drive transparency, resilience, and sustainability in the industry.

As a founding partner of Prequel Ventures and co-founder of scm-startups.com, Mathias helps businesses navigate the supply chain innovation landscape, access cutting-edge technology, and achieve digital transformation. With over a decade in venture capital and start-ups, he has worked with more than 20 portfolio companies, including PreWave and PreSize (acquired by Meta).

With a background in logistics and finance, holding an MBA from HHL Graduate School of Management and a CFA charter, Mathias combines deep industry knowledge with investment expertise to support the next generation of supply chain innovators.

The British start-up Cbamboo won the eighth edition of the European Supply Chain Start-up Contest during the inNOWvate Supply Chain Event in Amsterdam. Since 2018, Supply Chain Media has been offering start-ups both a literal and figurative stage through this competition, presenting them to an audience of decision-makers and investors. During the event, held at the Pathé cinema complex, Cbamboo impressed both the expert jury and attendees with its platform for compliance with the European CBAM legislation, which will come into effect in January 2026.