Pelicargo
Pelicargo is a digital air cargo marketplace founded in 2021 that connects US-based freight forwarders with 100+ airlines for real-time rate comparison, instant booking, and shipment tracking, with added door-to-door pricing via 2,000+ trucking partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersCambridge, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Pelicargo does
Pelicargo is a digital air cargo marketplace founded at MIT in 2021 by Jon Acquaviva, Shinji Angata, and Edward Wang. The company is incorporated as Pelicargo Inc. in Delaware and operates from Cambridge, MA. Its platform connects US-based, IATA-certified freight forwarders with airlines, providing real-time rate comparison, instant capacity booking, and automated shipment tracking. The core technology is a digital procurement marketplace with a reverse-auction pricing engine (the LIVE Auction System) that surfaces live spot quotes from over 100 airlines, augmented by a digital concierge team of air freight experts. Features also include tracking across 60+ airlines, specialized handling for dangerous goods, temperature-controlled cargo, and project shipments, plus an integrated network of 2,000+ domestic trucking partners that enables door-to-door rather than only airport-to-airport pricing.
The platform serves two customer segments. On the demand side are US-based freight forwarders (including both mid-market shippers like SHIPIT, Limco, and Seacoast, and enterprises such as BTX Global Logistics, Arc Air Logistics, and Titan Worldwide); forwarders self-serve via the app.pelicargo.com portal after completing five pre-paid bookings, transitioning to Net-7, Net-15, or Net-30 credit terms. On the supply side are airlines (including Emirates SkyCargo and Air Canada Cargo), which list cargo capacity and access verified forwarders through an airline partner portal. Distribution is hybrid: a product-led self-serve flow for forwarders, supplemented by an enterprise field-sales motion and PR/content marketing.
Pelicargo's revenue model is a mix of subscription fees for platform access and transaction fees on bookings processed through the marketplace; specific fee structures are not publicly disclosed. The company reports 500+ registered freight forwarders, 100+ (and on some sources up to 120+) airlines, 600+ destinations, and 2,000+ trucking partners, and has integrated directly via API with tier-1 carriers including Emirates SkyCargo (May 2026) and Air Canada Cargo (April 2026). No external institutional funding rounds, revenue figures, or headcount above the 1-10 stated firmographic band are disclosed.
Pelicargo firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Pelicargo
- Legal name
- Pelicargo Inc.
- Website
- https://pelicargo.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Pelicargo is a digital air cargo marketplace founded in 2021 that connects US-based freight forwarders with 100+ airlines for real-time rate comparison, instant booking, and shipment tracking, with added door-to-door pricing via 2,000+ trucking partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Pelicargo industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Air Freight Marketplace
- NAICS
- Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510)
- SIC
- Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Charter Air Freight Forwarding (Full/Part Charter, ACMI Brokerage) (TLACAAAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- PUDO Network Aggregators & API Platforms (Multi-Carrier Enablement) (TLAAAMAI)
Keywords
Where Pelicargo is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cambridge
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Pelicargo business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Subscription Fees: Subscription-based revenue model where freight forwarders pay recurring fees for platform access. Initial customers pay upfront for first 5 bookings, then transition to credit terms with Net-7, Net-15, or Net-30 payment options. Late payments incur 1% monthly interest.
- Transaction Fees: Platform likely earns transaction fees on bookings processed through the marketplace, though specific fee structure is not publicly disclosed.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Initial Onboarding - Pre-payment required |
| Subscription | Monthly | Standard Subscription - Net payment terms |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Pelicargo product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Pelicargo operates a digital air freight marketplace platform connecting US-based IATA-certified freight forwarders with 90+ airlines for real-time rate comparison, instant capacity booking, and live shipment tracking across 600+ destinations. The platform combines a self-serve procurement engine with a concierge team of air freight experts and integrates 2,000+ domestic trucking partners for door-to-door shipping.
Product overview
Pelicargo is a digital air freight procurement and execution platform combining proprietary technology with a concierge team of air freight experts. The core Pelicargo Platform serves as the central engine, enabling freight forwarders to access rates from 90+ airlines via the LIVE Auction System with live spot quotes. Key modules include the Digital Concierge Service for personalized expert support, Track & Trace for shipment monitoring, and specialized handling features for Dangerous Goods, Temperature Control, and Project Cargo. The platform operates through distinct portals for Freight Forwarders and Airline Partners, all connected through API integrations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Pelicargo Platform Digital air freight sourcing engine that connects US-based IATA-certified freight forwarders with 90+ airlines for competitive rate comparison, real-time spot quotes, and cargo booking.
- Digital Concierge Service Concierge team of air freight experts providing personalized customer support, validating shipment requests, offering best practices, and acting as an extension of customer teams.
- Freight Forwarder Portal Dedicated portal for freight forwarders providing access to competitive rates, streamlined air cargo procurement technology, and digital booking platform.
- Airline Partner Portal Platform for airlines to align cargo capacity, load requirements, and pricing, accessing verified freight forwarders and confirmed shipments.
Quantifiable outcome
- Access to 600+ global destinations through 100+ airlines
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Pelicargo
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Pelicargo technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature5 records
Pelicargo partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Emirates SkyCargocoreEmirates SkyCargo is integrated on the Pelicargo platform as a capacity provider, allowing freight forwarders to book cargo space on Emirates flights through the digital marketplace. This partnership provides forwarders with access to Emirates' global cargo network.
- Air Canada CargocoreAir Canada Cargo is integrated on the Pelicargo platform enabling freight forwarders to access and book air cargo capacity on Air Canada routes through the digital marketplace platform.
- Domestic Trucking Partners NetworksupportingNetwork of 2,000+ domestic trucking partners integrated into the Pelicargo platform to provide last-mile delivery services, enabling origin-to-destination shipping rather than just airport-to-airport transport.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Pelicargo competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Flexport: Large digital freight forwarder with air freight as a core service offering; competes for the same customer base of freight forwarders and provides technology-enabled air freight procurement that overlaps with Pelicargo's proposition.
- Descartes Air Cargo: Provides logistics technology including air cargo rate distribution and capacity management platforms used by airlines and forwarders; an established B2B tech player in adjacent air cargo digital infrastructure.
- iCargo (Amadeus / Kale): Mature air cargo management platform serving airlines and forwarders with pricing, booking, and tracking modules; competes in the same digital air cargo procurement and execution stack as Pelicargo.
- IBS Software: Provides cargo management software solutions for airlines including pricing, booking, and operations modules; adjacent competitor in digital air cargo platforms for both carriers and forwarders.
Direct peers
- Freightos: Operates a global freight marketplace with significant air cargo capacity offerings; directly competes with Pelicargo for digital air freight procurement, and as a NASDAQ-listed entity represents the public-market comp for this category.
- CargoAi: Digital air cargo marketplace offering real-time pricing, e-booking and capacity distribution from multiple airlines to forwarders; the closest functional analog to Pelicargo's value proposition in Europe and globally.
- WebCargo (Freightos subsidiary): Digital air cargo rate distribution and e-booking platform from Freightos, specifically focused on real-time air freight pricing and capacity sales between airlines and forwarders.
Emerging players
- Cargosphere: Digital air cargo marketplace focused on rate distribution and e-booking between carriers and freight forwarders; a smaller niche player targeting the same digital transformation opportunity.
- Logistics tech platforms at Forager: Digital cross-border freight and logistics platform with air freight capabilities; smaller emerging player addressing a portion of the same digital freight procurement opportunity.
Regional players
- Air Cargo Netherlands / CDMP: Industry-backed air cargo data platform operating primarily in Europe providing capacity and rate data exchange among airlines and forwarders; comparable regional alternative to Pelicargo.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Pelicargo social profiles
Digital presencePelicargo compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Pelicargo financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Pelicargo leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Pelicargo funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors6 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Pelicargo 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 Pelicargo
What does Pelicargo do?
Pelicargo operates a digital air freight marketplace platform connecting US-based IATA-certified freight forwarders with 90+ airlines for real-time rate comparison, instant capacity booking, and live shipment tracking across 600+ destinations. The platform combines a self-serve procurement engine with a concierge team of air freight experts and integrates 2,000+ domestic trucking partners for door-to-door shipping.
Is Pelicargo a public or private company?
Pelicargo is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Pelicargo founded?
Pelicargo was founded in 2021. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Pelicargo based?
Pelicargo is headquartered in Cambridge, United States, in the North America region.
How does Pelicargo make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Subscription Fees are the primary driver. The others are transaction Fees.
Who are Pelicargo's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Flexport, Descartes Air Cargo, iCargo (Amadeus / Kale) and IBS Software. Direct peers are Freightos, CargoAi and WebCargo (Freightos subsidiary). Emerging players are Cargosphere and Logistics tech platforms at Forager. Air Cargo Netherlands / CDMP is listed as a regional player.
Does Pelicargo have an API?
Yes. Pelicargo offers API connectivity for airline integrations, enabling real-time bookings, schedule visibility, and capacity information. Emirates SkyCargo became the first Middle Eastern carrier to establish API connectivity with the platform. The integration enables US freight forwarders to access real-time bookings, schedule visibility, and capacity information around the clock.
What industry is Pelicargo in?
Pelicargo's product category is Air Freight Marketplace. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLACAAAC, Charter Air Freight Forwarding (Full/Part Charter, ACMI Brokerage), with a secondary code of TLAAAMAI, PUDO Network Aggregators & API Platforms (Multi-Carrier Enablement). Its NAICS code is 488510 and its SIC code is 4731.