Onward
Onward operates a two-sided digital freight marketplace connecting brokers and 3PLs with 1,000+ final-mile carriers for big and bulky deliveries, using smart-matching algorithms, 100+ logistics integrations, and mobile apps to reduce empty miles and cut delivery costs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersDenver, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Onward does
Onward (Onward Delivery Corp.) is a Denver-based, federally licensed freight brokerage that operates a two-sided digital marketplace connecting freight brokers, 3PLs, and forwarders with a nationwide network of 1,000+ final-mile carriers specializing in big and bulky deliveries. The company's platform uses data-driven smart-matching to pair delivery orders with box trucks that have available capacity and routes heading in the same direction, reducing empty miles and offering brokers a final-mile capacity layer at roughly 20% of the cost of building an internal delivery department. The platform combines a web application, native iOS and Android mobile apps with real-time tracking and proof of delivery, and 100+ pre-built integrations with logistics software partners spanning TMS, dispatch, fleet management, and WMS systems. Onward generates revenue through per-shipment transportation brokerage fees and recurring monthly platform subscriptions negotiated via Order Forms for enterprise brokers and forwarders. The company was founded in 2021 by logistics industry veterans, including CEO Grafton Elliott and COO Kevin Walsh, and has raised approximately $7.52M in seed and follow-on funding led by Range Ventures and Matchstick Ventures.
Onward firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Onward
- Legal name
- Onward Delivery Corp.
- Website
- https://onwarddelivery.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Onward operates a two-sided digital freight marketplace connecting brokers and 3PLs with 1,000+ final-mile carriers for big and bulky deliveries, using smart-matching algorithms, 100+ logistics integrations, and mobile apps to reduce empty miles and cut delivery costs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Onward industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Freight Brokerage Platform
- NAICS
- Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Freight Transportation Arrangement (48851), Freight Transportation Arrangement (4885)
- SIC
- Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210), Transportation Services (4700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Digital Freight Brokerage / Freight Marketplace Platforms (TLADAMAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Carrier Sales & Capacity Sourcing Platforms (TLAEAJAD), Spot Load Boards (Open Marketplace) (TLAEAJAA), Dedicated / Contract Carriage Brokerage (Shippers’ Managed Capacity) (TLACACAF)
Keywords
Where Onward is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Denver
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Onward business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Transportation Brokerage Fees: Onward acts as a federally licensed freight broker, charging fees for arranging transportation of freight and household goods between brokers/shippers and carriers. The company earns transaction fees based on delivered shipments.
- Platform Subscription Fees: Monthly subscription plans for access to the Onward Platform, with pricing based on order form agreements or monthly subscription tiers. Subscriptions provide full access to the marketplace and order management tools.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Enterprise Subscription (Order Form) |
| Subscription | Monthly | Standard Platform Subscription |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Promotional Trial |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Onward product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Onward operates a digital two-sided freight marketplace that connects freight brokers, 3PLs, and forwarders needing final mile capacity with a network of 1,000+ box-truck carriers, using smart-matching algorithms based on real-time capacity and driving direction. The platform specializes in big and bulky and white glove deliveries (including assembly and haul-away) and is supported by companion iOS and Android apps for real-time tracking, proof of delivery, and e-signature capture.
Product overview
Onward is a final-mile logistics platform consisting of a web-based freight marketplace (the Onward Platform) and companion mobile applications. The platform connects brokers and shippers with a network of over 1,000 final-mile carriers nationwide, using data-driven smart-matching to optimize the pairing of delivery orders with trucks that have available capacity and routes going in the same direction. The ecosystem includes tools for both brokers (to find and manage carriers) and carriers (to find orders to fill their trucks), along with mobile apps providing real-time tracking, proof of delivery, and customer communication capabilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Onward Platform
Quantifiable outcome
- 20% of cost to stand up a final mile department
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Onward
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Onward technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration21 records
Feature4 records
Onward partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Onward competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Lugg: Lugg provides on-demand moving, furniture delivery, and large-item hauling through a marketplace of vetted drivers and trucks. It competes with Onward in big-and-bulky short-distance delivery and assembly services.
- Bungii: Bungii operates an on-demand large-item delivery marketplace connecting retailers and consumers with pickup-truck drivers. It overlaps with Onward's carrier network and final-mile delivery offering, though Bungii leans more consumer and retail.
- GoShare: GoShare runs a crowdsourced delivery marketplace connecting businesses and consumers with drivers for large-item, bulky, and last-mile deliveries. It is the closest direct competitor to Onward in big-and-bulky final-mile with similar white-glove capabilities.
- Curri: Curri operates a similar last-mile delivery marketplace focused on big-and-bulky and construction supplies, connecting shippers with a vetted driver network. It directly competes with Onward in the same niche, target customer set, and delivery category.
- Dolly: Dolly provides on-demand help and delivery services for large items via a marketplace of vetted drivers, including furniture and appliance moving. It competes with Onward for the same big-and-bulky delivery use cases among retailers and consumers.
Broad incumbents
- Uber Freight: Uber Freight is a major digital freight brokerage platform owned by Uber that arranges full truckload and other capacity. As a broad incumbent with massive capital, it competes with Onward for enterprise broker relationships and adjacent final-mile capacity.
- Loadsmart: Loadsmart is a digital freight broker and technology platform arranging full truckload, intermodal, and drayage services. It competes with Onward as a digital marketplace serving freight brokers and shippers with broader modal coverage.
- Transfix: Transfix is a digital freight brokerage combining a marketplace with managed transportation services for shippers. It is a broad incumbent comparable to Onward in marketplace model, though Transfix focuses on full truckload rather than final-mile.
- DoorDash Drive: DoorDash Drive is the white-label logistics arm of DoorDash offering last-mile delivery via its driver network. While focused on smaller parcels, it expands into larger items and competes with Onward for enterprise last-mile delivery partnerships.
Emerging players
- GoBolt: GoBolt is a technology-driven logistics company offering warehousing, middle-mile, and final-mile delivery with sustainability focus. It overlaps with Onward's final-mile delivery offering and serves similar retail and e-commerce customers with an asset-plus-marketplace model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Onward social profiles
Digital presenceOnward financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Onward leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Onward funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors5 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Onward M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Onward
What does Onward do?
Onward operates a digital two-sided freight marketplace that connects freight brokers, 3PLs, and forwarders needing final mile capacity with a network of 1,000+ box-truck carriers, using smart-matching algorithms based on real-time capacity and driving direction. The platform specializes in big and bulky and white glove deliveries (including assembly and haul-away) and is supported by companion iOS and Android apps for real-time tracking, proof of delivery, and e-signature capture.
Is Onward a public or private company?
Onward is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Onward founded?
Onward was founded in 2021. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Onward based?
Onward is headquartered in Denver, United States, in the North America region.
How does Onward make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Transportation Brokerage Fees are the primary driver. The others are platform Subscription Fees.
Who are Onward's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Lugg, Bungii, GoShare, Curri and Dolly. Broad incumbents are Uber Freight, Loadsmart, Transfix and DoorDash Drive. GoBolt is listed as an emerging player.
Does Onward have an API?
No public API is recorded for Onward.
What industry is Onward in?
Onward's product category is Freight Brokerage Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLADAMAO, Digital Freight Brokerage / Freight Marketplace Platforms, with a secondary code of TLAEAJAD, Carrier Sales & Capacity Sourcing Platforms. Its NAICS code is 488510 and its SIC code is 4731.