FretLink
FretLink is a Paris-based, DREAL-licensed freight forwarder running a two-sided platform that connects approximately 300 shippers with 6,000 regional carriers across European road freight, using its proprietary Transport Operating System to match complementary loads and integrate with 60+ existing TMS and WMS tools.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersParis, France
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What FretLink does
FretLink is a Paris-based, licensed freight forwarder (Commissionnaire de transport, regulated by DREAL) that operates a two-sided digital platform connecting approximately 300 shippers with around 6,000 regional carriers across European road freight. Founded in November 2015 by four co-founders — Paul Guillemin (CEO), Antoine Le Squeren, Didier Duval, and Frédéric Menou (CTO) — the company is organized around its proprietary Transport Operating System, a software platform that models transport operations, matches complementary freight flows, and rationalizes backhaul logistics across the carrier base. Shippers access the platform through two product modules: Lead PL, which centralizes carrier management while preserving commercial carrier relationships, and Freight Forward, which secures capacity commitments with guaranteed 100% take rates and 98.5%+ service levels.
The platform integrates with more than 60 existing TMS, WMS, visibility, invoicing, and document management software packages, and equips carrier partners with tracking tools to enable 100% real-time visibility on piloted transports. A sustainability module, Green Roads, was added in partnership with WeNow to provide Ademe-certified CO2 measurement, reduction, and offsetting. FretLink monetizes transport as a commission-based intermediary, paying carriers at market rates with 30-day payment terms and retaining a margin on each shipment.
Commercially, the company runs a dual go-to-market: enterprise field sales organized around six vertical sectors for shippers, paired with self-serve registration for carriers and SMB shippers. FretLink has accumulated roughly $34.4 million in disclosed funding through 2020 across rounds led by Breega, Edenred Capital Partners, SAP.iO, Daphni, and others, and has expanded operations into Belgium. Headcount stands at 101–250, with named enterprise relationships including Nestlé Purina (800 regular transports per month) alongside a long tail of SMB carriers and mid-market shippers.
FretLink firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- FretLink
- Legal name
- Fretlink
- Website
- https://fretlink.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- FretLink is a Paris-based, DREAL-licensed freight forwarder running a two-sided platform that connects approximately 300 shippers with 6,000 regional carriers across European road freight, using its proprietary Transport Operating System to match complementary loads and integrate with 60+ existing TMS and WMS tools.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
FretLink industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Digital Freight Forwarding
- NAICS
- Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Freight Transportation Arrangement (4885), Freight Transportation Arrangement (48851), Support Activities for Transportation (488)
- SIC
- Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Transportation Services (4700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Full Truckload (FTL) Forwarding (TLACACAA)
Keywords
Where FretLink is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paris
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
FretLink business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Transport Commission/Freight Forwarding: Fretlink organizes transport between shippers and carriers, taking responsibility for freight as a licensed transport commissioner (Commissionnaire de transport). Revenue appears to come from margins on transport rates, with carriers paid market rates and the company retaining a portion.
- Lead PL Program: Program for shippers who want Fretlink to organize and supervise their transport centrally while retaining commercial relationships with carriers. Fretlink manages pilot operations, provides tracking solutions to carriers, executes transport plans, and delivers performance reporting.
- Freight Forward Program: Program for shippers seeking capacity commitment and service level guarantees. Fretlink commits to 100% take rate on secured flows and delivers 98.5%+ service quality. Pricing integrates capacity and service quality costs into transport strategy.
- Green Roads Carbon Services: Sustainability offering in partnership with WeNow. Provides CO2 measurement, reduction, and compensation services. Revenue may be generated through service fees for carbon assessment and offset project participation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Market rate compensation for carriers |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
FretLink product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FretLink operates as a digital freight forwarder and transport organizer, connecting shippers (chargeurs) with a network of approximately 6,000 regional carriers across Europe. Its proprietary Transport Operating System models transport operations computationally to identify synergies, optimize vehicle fill rates, and standardize collaboration between carriers and shippers. The company operates as a licensed Commissionnaire de transport under DREAL, taking full responsibility for freight across European roads, and offers modular programs for shippers (Lead PL for centralized carrier management, Freight Forward for capacity commitment) plus a Green Roads carbon services module.
Product overview
FretLink is a freight transport organizer operating a platform-plus-modules architecture centered on its proprietary Transport Operating System. The core platform models transport operations to rationalize flows and standardize collaboration between carriers and chargeurs. Two modules serve shippers: Lead PL (centralized carrier management) and Freight Forward (capacity securing on lines). Green Roads, powered by WeNow, adds carbon footprint management. The Transport Operating System integrates with over 60 existing TMS, WMS, visibility, invoicing, and document management software packages.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Transport Operating System
Quantifiable outcome
- 98.4% delivery quality for Nestlé Purina
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use FretLink
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
FretLink technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature4 records
FretLink partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- WeNowcoreFretlink has allied with WeNow for the Green Roads sustainability initiative. WeNow provides a unique UN-recommended climate action methodology. The partnership offers carbon measurement (certified by Ademe), reduction through cleaner vehicles and eco-routing, and CO2 compensation through UN-labeled international projects and ONF reforestation in France.
- GEO PLCminorGEO PLC is Fretlink's partner for managing Energy Efficiency Certificates (CEE - Certificats d'Économies d'Énergie). They assist carriers wanting to reduce energy consumption through vehicle upgrades, telemetry, eco-driving training, and fuel card management.
- TIPminorTIP (Transport International Pool) is a truck leasing partner used by Transports Caudron. Fretlink mentions facilitating connections with such partners for fleet evolution.
- UTA-FretlinkminorUTA-Fretlink fuel card partnership allows better coordination of fuel consumption by drivers and cost savings on diesel purchases. Being piloted with carriers like Transports Caudron.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
FretLink competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
FretLink social profiles
Digital presenceFretLink financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
FretLink leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
FretLink funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors12 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
FretLink 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 FretLink
What does FretLink do?
FretLink operates as a digital freight forwarder and transport organizer, connecting shippers (chargeurs) with a network of approximately 6,000 regional carriers across Europe. Its proprietary Transport Operating System models transport operations computationally to identify synergies, optimize vehicle fill rates, and standardize collaboration between carriers and shippers. The company operates as a licensed Commissionnaire de transport under DREAL, taking full responsibility for freight across European roads, and offers modular programs for shippers (Lead PL for centralized carrier management, Freight Forward for capacity commitment) plus a Green Roads carbon services module.
Is FretLink a public or private company?
FretLink is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was FretLink founded?
FretLink was founded in 2015. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is FretLink based?
FretLink is headquartered in Paris, France, in the Europe region.
How does FretLink make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Transport Commission/Freight Forwarding is the primary driver. The others are lead PL Program, freight Forward Program and green Roads Carbon Services.
Does FretLink have an API?
No public API is recorded for FretLink.
What industry is FretLink in?
FretLink's product category is Digital Freight Forwarding. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLACACAA, Full Truckload (FTL) Forwarding. Its NAICS code is 488510 and its SIC code is 4731.