What ZEBOX does

ZEBOX is an international innovation accelerator founded in 2018 by Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of CMA CGM Group, and operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of CMA CGM. The company runs structured acceleration programs (12-month incubation for early-stage startups, 9-month acceleration for revenue-generating scale-ups), the ZEBOX Club membership community, the ZEBOX Ventures seed fund targeting roughly 50 startups per year, and the annual CMA CGM Startup Awards competition. It connects a curated portfolio of 300+ startups with 14+ corporate partners — including CMA CGM, CEVA Logistics, Transdev, Vinci/Leonard, BNP Paribas, Orange, Infosys, PSA Ventures, GTT, Centrimex, Blume Global, Jifmar, Action Loggement, and SARA — across four focus themes: technological competitiveness, environmental impact, wellbeing and safety at work, and future of work.

The platform is delivered through six physical hubs in Marseille (Europe, headquarters), Arlington, Virginia (North America), Singapore (APAC), Manchester (UK), Baie-Mahault (Caribbean), and Abidjan (West Africa), each offering coworking, dedicated desks, meeting rooms, and event space alongside program delivery. ZEBOX does not develop proprietary technology products; instead it acts as a multi-sided matching and co-innovation platform, giving startups access to CMA CGM's global network of 420+ ports and 593+ vessels for pilots and proof-of-concept deployments, and giving corporates a curated dealflow of more than 100 innovation-ready companies. Documented outcomes include 340+ collaborations initiated between startups and corporates, €235M raised by portfolio startups since inception, and 40% of supported startups GreenTech certified.

Revenue mechanics are diversified across four streams: corporate partnership subscription fees, acceleration program and ZEBOX Club membership fees, coworking and event-space rental at each hub, and equity-linked returns from ZEBOX Ventures seed investments. Pricing varies by hub and currency (€180–300/month for hot to dedicated desks in Marseille; £240/month resident desk or £20/day hot desk in Manchester; €250/month resident pass in Guadeloupe; 196,000 F CFA/month resident desk in Abidjan). The West Africa hub is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (€1.66M, 50% of project cost under ERDF 2021-2027). Standalone ZEBOX revenue is not publicly disclosed and the company operates with a small core team of 11–50 staff, suggesting significant cost absorption by CMA CGM Group.

Name

ZEBOX

Legal name

SAS ZEBOX

Website

https://ze-box.io

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ZEBOX is a CMA CGM–backed international innovation accelerator that runs startup and scale-up programs across six global hubs, matching 300+ startups with 14+ corporate partners in shipping, logistics, mobility, and decarbonization.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Accelerator and Innovation Ecosystem Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)

Keywords

• Startup acceleration programs
• Innovation ecosystem network
• Corporate-startup partnerships
• Coworking workspace hubs
• Venture seed funding

Headquarters

HQ city

Marseille

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Acceleration Program Fees: ZEBOX charges membership and program fees for its startup acceleration and scale-up programs. The website promotes 'Apply' and 'Club' membership via club.ze-box.io/join. Coworking space rental at each hub also generates revenue, with dedicated desks, hot desks, meeting rooms, and event spaces available on monthly, weekly, and daily billing cycles.
2. Corporate Partnership Fees: Corporate partners pay to join the ZEBOX ecosystem and gain access to the startup network, co-innovation opportunities, and dealflow. Partners include CMA CGM, CEVA Logistics, Transdev, Vinci/Leonard, BNP Paribas, Orange, PSA Ventures, Jifmar, Action Logement, Infosys, GTT, Centrimex, Blume Global, SARA, Katapult Ocean, and others.
3. Coworking and Event Space Rental: ZEBOX generates revenue through renting flexible workspace at its 6 global hubs including dedicated desks (€300/month in Marseille), resident desks (£240/month in Manchester, €250/month in Guadeloupe), hot desks (€180/month in Marseille, £20/day in Manchester), meeting rooms (£48/hour in Manchester), and event spaces (Agora from £2,400/day in Manchester).
4. ZEBOX Ventures (Seed Fund): ZEBOX Ventures is a seed fund aimed at accelerating the financing and development of French and foreign startups, with the aim of investing in around 50 startups per year. Deal size spans sectors including optimized shipping and logistics, mobility, decarbonization and energy transition, process digitalization and AI, and future of work.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ZEBOX is an international startup accelerator and innovation ecosystem that runs structured acceleration programs for early-stage startups and growth-stage scale-ups, curates a global membership community (ZEBOX Club), deploys a seed investment vehicle (ZEBOX Ventures), and operates six physical coworking and event hubs across Europe, North America, APAC, the Caribbean, the UK, and West Africa. The company monetizes by charging program and membership fees from startups, corporate partnership fees from large enterprises, and rental income from coworking and event space.

Product overview

ZEBOX is an international startup accelerator and innovation ecosystem initiated by the CMA CGM Group in 2018. Its core offerings consist of acceleration programs for startups and scale-ups, a global membership club (ZEBOX Club), investment via ZEBOX Ventures seed fund, and the CMA CGM Startup Awards competition. These products are supported by six physical hub locations providing coworking and workspace, and a corporate partner network of over 14 industry leaders. The ecosystem also includes access to investor networks, expert mentors, and technology vendor perks. Together, these elements connect startups with corporate partners to co-innovate on supply chain, logistics, decarbonization, mobility, and digital transformation challenges.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ZEBOX Acceleration Program for Startups A hands-on acceleration program for early-stage startups providing support from CMA CGM experts to develop and refine solutions, expert guidance to enter the market successfully, and assistance with financing, fundraising, and visibility of the startup's innovation. The program targets founders in shipping, logistics, mobility, decarbonization, AI, and future-of-work verticals.
• ZEBOX Acceleration Program for Scale-ups Expert support for growth-stage companies to accelerate business and team growth, speed up fundraising and financing efforts, and create business opportunities with CMA CGM Group. The program targets revenue-generating startups ready to scale.
• ZEBOX Club CMA CGM's inaugural global club for entrepreneurs driving innovative change and positive impact across industries. Members receive tailored business opportunities, expert fundraising support, international innovation development, increased visibility during events and on ZEBOX and CMA CGM media channels, negotiated vendor perks, and access to ZEBOX workspaces. Membership is open via club.ze-box.io/join.
• ZEBOX Ventures A seed investment fund aimed at accelerating the financing and development of French and foreign startups. The fund invests in approximately 50 startups per year across ZEBOX's core themes: optimized shipping and logistics, mobility, decarbonization and energy transition, process digitalization and AI, and future of work.
• CMA CGM Startup Awards An annual international startup competition organized by CMA CGM Group at the AIM Summit in Marseille. Six winners are selected from 60 shortlisted startups to receive pilot project or proof-of-concept funding worth up to €50,000 (with some editions up to €150,000), access to CMA CGM's innovation network, and one year of ZEBOX support. Open to startups in shipping, logistics, media, and social impact sectors.
• ZEBOX Hubs (Coworking and Workspace) A network of six global innovation hubs offering flexible coworking spaces, dedicated desks, hot desks, meeting rooms, event venues, and community access for startups, entrepreneurs, and corporate partners. Hubs operate in Marseille (France), Arlington VA (USA), Singapore, Guadeloupe, Manchester (UK), and Abidjan (Ivory Coast), with pricing ranging from €80/week nomad passes to €2,400/day event space rentals and €300/month dedicated desks.
• ZEBOX Corporate Partner Program A paid membership network giving corporate enterprises access to ZEBOX's curated startup dealflow, co-innovation programs, warm introductions to vetted startups, proof-of-concept pilot facilitation, and exclusive participation in events such as Partner Days, the AIM Summit, CES, and VivaTech. Partners include CMA CGM, CEVA Logistics, Transdev, Vinci/Leonard, BNP Paribas, Orange, Jifmar, GTT, Infosys, Centrimex, Blume Global, PSA Ventures, Action Logement, SARA, and Katapult Ocean.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 300 startups supported since 2018, with €235M raised in total
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and founding partner.

• OrangecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 April 2026Orange signed a strategic partnership with ZEBOX in April 2026 to co-develop and deploy large-scale technological solutions. Collaboration priorities include AI, data, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and responsible digital practices. Orange becomes ZEBOX's 18th corporate partner, gaining access to ZEBOX's international startup ecosystem and giving ZEBOX access to Orange's global infrastructure and customer databases.
• Katapult OceancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 January 2026Katapult Ocean, the world's most active ocean impact venture fund manager headquartered in Oslo, partnered with ZEBOX in January 2026 to strengthen the link between ocean-focused startups and industrial stakeholders in maritime transport and logistics. Katapult brings a strong global pipeline of startups tackling decarbonization, efficiency, resilience, and biodiversity protection.
• Action LogementcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 February 2025Action Logement, a key player in social and intermediate housing in France with 20,000 employees and a portfolio of over 1 million housing units, partnered with ZEBOX in February 2025 to implement an Open Innovation strategy for low-carbon construction in the Overseas Territories. ZEBOX Caribbean leads the collaboration targeting decarbonization, process automation, and operational efficiency.
• Jifmar GroupsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Jifmar is a shipowner with a fleet of over 65 vessels operating worldwide, offering global maritime organization from chartering and vessel management to complex tailor-made industrial maritime solutions. Jifmar became ZEBOX's 15th industrial partner to supercharge its innovation momentum in maritime and port sector transformation.
• InfosyssupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital consulting and services operating in 46 countries. Its four pillars are digital transformation, technology development, cloud transformation, and Artificial Intelligence. Infosys brings AI and digital transformation expertise to ZEBOX's startup ecosystem.
• TransdevcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 March 2024Transdev, a global public transport operator transporting 12 million passengers daily with over 102,000 employees, partnered with ZEBOX in March 2024 to accelerate innovation in sustainable mobility. Operating in 19 countries with €9.33B turnover in 2023, Transdev brings decarbonization expertise and a large passenger network to ZEBOX's ecosystem.
• Leonard - Vinci GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Leonard is the foresight and innovation platform of VINCI Group, a world leader in concessions, energy, and construction operating in 120+ countries. By joining ZEBOX, VINCI and Leonard gain access to an international ecosystem of innovative solutions to advance optimization of goods and passenger transport and decarbonization of infrastructure.
• GTTsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024GTT (Gaztransport & Technigaz) develops cutting-edge technologies for LNG storage and maritime transport, contributing to greening maritime transport. GTT joined ZEBOX to engage with young innovative companies and collaborate on decarbonization and digital transformation challenges in the maritime industry.
• CentrimexsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Centrimex is a specialist in transit and logistics with a global network of 22 subsidiaries and 300 employees organizing international transport flows. Centrimex supports ZEBOX because the structure combines technological innovations with the transport and logistics sector, aligning with its vision of synergies between established companies and entrepreneurs.
• BNP ParibascoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024BNP Paribas, Europe's leading bank with global reach and the WAI (We Are Innovation) label, partners with ZEBOX to support the growth of accelerated and incubated startups. BNP Paribas contributes banking expertise and international network to the ZEBOX programs, focusing on sustainable transport and finding innovative solutions with committed entrepreneurs.
• Blume GlobalsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Blume Global is a multimodal supply chain orchestration platform uniting end-to-end visibility, order orchestration, transportation management, and supplier relationship management. Partnered with ZEBOX to access the startup ecosystem for supply chain innovation.
• SARA (Société Anonyme de Raffinage)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024SARA is listed as a corporate partner on the ZEBOX Caribbean hub page. SARA operates in the Caribbean region as a partner contributing to the local innovation ecosystem.
• Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024MPA Singapore is listed as a local sponsor of ZEBOX APAC, supporting the innovation ecosystem in Singapore and the Asia Pacific region. MPA also operates the Smart Port Challenge in partnership with NUS Enterprise.
• Enterprise SingaporesupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Enterprise Singapore is listed as a local sponsor of ZEBOX APAC, supporting startups and innovation in Singapore's startup ecosystem.
• CEVA LogisticscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019CEVA Logistics, a subsidiary of CMA CGM since 2019, is a global logistics player with 110,000 employees in 1,300 offices and logistics sites worldwide. CEVA is interested in innovations around tracking and tracing, reservation management in freight, and automation, robotics, and autonomous driving. ZEBOX connects CEVA with startups for co-innovation projects.
• CMA CGM Groupfounding partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018CMA CGM Group is the founding partner and parent of ZEBOX, initiated in 2018 by Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman & CEO of CMA CGM. As the world's 3rd largest shipping company operating 420+ ports across 5 continents with 593+ vessels, CMA CGM provides the foundational corporate network, funding, and strategic direction for ZEBOX. The Group's innovation unit drives digital transformation across shipping, logistics, air cargo, and media operations through ZEBOX's ecosystem.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Founders Factory: Corporate-backed accelerator and venture builder that designs and launches startups together with corporate partners. Comparable in its corporate-startup co-build model, partner-driven approach to innovation, and equity-based engagement with portfolio companies.
• MassChallenge: Global non-profit accelerator supporting early-stage startups across multiple verticals with corporate partnerships. Comparable to ZEBOX's industry-agnostic startup support model, mentorship focus, presence across multiple geographies, and emphasis on connecting startups to large enterprise customers.
• Maersk Growth: Corporate venture arm of A.P. Møller-Maersk focused on logistics, supply chain, and maritime innovation. The closest direct competitor to ZEBOX in the shipping/logistics innovation space, with similar corporate-startup matching, venture investment activity, and maritime decarbonization focus.
• Antler: Global early-stage VC and accelerator operating across multiple continents. Comparable to ZEBOX in its international hub presence, cohort-based programs, and emphasis on building startups from inception with mentor and investor support.
• Station F: The world's largest startup campus in Paris, offering acceleration programs, coworking, and corporate-startup connections. Operates a comparable mega-incubator model with multiple corporate-sponsored programs (similar to ZEBOX's CMA CGM partnership), structured cohort programs, and a global founder network.
• Techstars: Global accelerator with mentorship-driven programs, an investor network, and corporate partnerships. Comparable to ZEBOX in offering structured cohort-based programs, accelerator services, and connections to enterprise customers, though Techstars operates independently rather than as a corporate subsidiary.
• Plug and Play Tech Center: Global corporate innovation platform and accelerator operating across multiple verticals with a similar model of matching startups to corporate partners. Shares ZEBOX's emphasis on co-innovation, partnership-driven dealflow, and multi-hub global presence, though Plug and Play operates independently rather than as a single corporate subsidiary.
• Wayra (Telefónica): Corporate accelerator and CVC arm of Telefónica, structurally similar to ZEBOX as a wholly-owned corporate innovation unit. Both operate globally, run startup programs, and leverage their parent company's infrastructure for pilots and commercial deployment across multiple regions.

Broad incumbents

• Leonard (Vinci): Foresight and innovation platform of VINCI Group, also a ZEBOX corporate partner. Functions as both a peer and a partner in construction/infrastructure innovation, with overlapping themes around decarbonization, mobility, and future of transport.

Others

• BNP Paribas WAI (We Are Innovation): Innovation program of BNP Paribas, which is both a ZEBOX partner and a financial-sector peer. Comparable in its corporate-startup matching model focused on financial services and innovation support, but operates within a single bank's strategic agenda rather than across multiple corporate verticals.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ZeBox_
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCJPt7cgSt_zlnzbvxkHiLCQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/zebox.io
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zebox
• Instagraminstagram.com/zebox.io

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ZEBOX