ZEBOX Ventures
ZEBOX is a corporate-backed international startup accelerator founded by CMA CGM, operating six global innovation hubs and a seed fund (ZEBOX Ventures) that connects supply-chain, logistics, mobility, and decarbonization startups with 22+ corporate partners for co-innovation and pilot deployment.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersMarseille, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What ZEBOX Ventures does
ZEBOX is an international corporate-backed startup accelerator founded in 2018 by Rodolphe Saadé, President and CEO of CMA CGM Group, and headquartered in Marseille, France. The organization operates six innovation hubs — Marseille (Europe HQ), Baie-Mahault (Caribbean, Guadeloupe), Arlington (USA), Singapore (APAC), Manchester (UK), and Abidjan (West Africa) — providing coworking space, acceleration programs, and a curated platform that connects early-stage startups with corporate decision-makers in supply chain, logistics, mobility, and decarbonization. ZEBOX Ventures, launched in April 2023, is a dedicated seed fund targeting approximately 50 investments per year across maritime transport, logistics, mobility, decarbonization/energy transition, process digitalization/AI, and future of work.
The business monetizes through three integrated streams: (i) coworking space rental across all six hubs at 80-3,050 EUR per workstation per month (geographically tiered), (ii) acceleration program participation tied to corporate-sponsored themes, and (iii) capital deployment and potential carried interest from ZEBOX Ventures' seed fund. The GTM is enterprise-relationship-driven: corporate partners (CMA CGM founding, CEVA Logistics, Transdev, BNP Paribas, Vinci/Leonard, Action Logement, Jifmar, GTT, Infosys) articulate innovation needs that are matched to vetted startups through a scouting team and the ZEBOX Club platform. Cloud and tooling partners (AWS, Microsoft, HubSpot, MongoDB, Zendesk) layer software credits onto the value proposition for selected founders.
Cumulative operational KPIs reported since 2018 include 300+ startups supported, 340+ startup-corporate collaborations facilitated, 235 million EUR raised by supported startups (216M per 2024 announcement), and 40% GreenTech-certified portfolio. The accelerator is structured as SAS ZEBOX, a French private limited company wholly owned within the CMA CGM group, led day-to-day by DG adjoint Aurore Pullini and hub-level managing directors. Scale remains contained — 11-50 employees — consistent with a program-management operating model rather than a large services firm.
ZEBOX Ventures firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ZEBOX Ventures
- Legal name
- SAS ZEBOX
- Website
- https://fr.ze-box.io
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ZEBOX is a corporate-backed international startup accelerator founded by CMA CGM, operating six global innovation hubs and a seed fund (ZEBOX Ventures) that connects supply-chain, logistics, mobility, and decarbonization startups with 22+ corporate partners for co-innovation and pilot deployment.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ZEBOX Ventures industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Startup Acceleration and Venture Capital
- NAICS
- Miscellaneous Financial Investment Activities (523999)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD), Early-Stage Venture Capital (Pre-Seed/Seed) (FSANAAAA)
Keywords
Where ZEBOX Ventures is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Marseille
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices6 records
Markets served
ZEBOX Ventures business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Acceleration Program Fees: ZEBOX provides acceleration programs for startups and scale-ups with support from CMA CGM experts, market access, funding assistance, and visibility enhancement. The specific revenue model for program participation is not publicly detailed.
- Coworking Space Rental: ZEBOX operates physical hubs in 6 locations offering flexible workspace solutions including hot desks, dedicated offices, resident desks, and meeting rooms for entrepreneurs and startups.
- ZEBOX Ventures Investment Returns: ZEBOX Ventures is a seed fund launched in April 2023 to accelerate funding and development of startups, aiming to invest in approximately 50 startups annually.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Fixed desk at ZEBOX Marseille (Europe) |
| Subscription | Monthly | Hot desk at ZEBOX Marseille (Europe) |
| Subscription | Monthly | Resident desk at ZEBOX UK Manchester |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Hot desk at ZEBOX UK Manchester |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Meeting rooms at ZEBOX UK Manchester |
| Subscription | Monthly | Private office at ZEBOX West Africa Abidjan |
| Subscription | Monthly | Resident desk at ZEBOX West Africa Abidjan |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Flexible desk pass at ZEBOX West Africa Abidjan |
| Subscription | Monthly | Resident card at ZEBOX Caribbean Guadeloupe |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Nomad passport at ZEBOX Caribbean Guadeloupe |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
ZEBOX Ventures product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ZEBOX Ventures is the seed investment arm of ZEBOX, an international startup accelerator founded in 2018 by CMA CGM Group. It invests in approximately 50 startups annually across maritime transport and logistics, mobility, decarbonization, AI, and future of work themes. As part of the broader ZEBOX ecosystem, the offering combines seed capital with structured acceleration programs, co-innovation matching with corporate partners, and access to six global innovation hubs offering coworking space and community.
Product overview
ZEBOX Ventures is an international startup accelerator founded in 2018 by Rodolphe Saadé (CMA CGM Group) that operates a platform connecting innovative startups with corporate partners for co-innovation. The offering consists of multiple integrated programs: the core Accelerator and Scale-up Programs that provide mentorship, expert support, and business development; the Club membership offering financing services and exclusive benefits; ZEBOX Ventures seed fund for direct investment; and six global hub locations providing coworking spaces and community events. The portfolio includes startups focused on AI/computer vision (XXII), logistics optimization (Searoutes, Gnosis), decarbonization (Aerleum, Sublime Energie), EV infrastructure (ElectroTempo), and fintech (OpenEnvoy, BasicBlock), all serving the maritime, logistics, and supply chain industries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ZEBOX Ventures: A seed fund launched in April 2023 to accelerate financing and development of French and foreign startups, aiming to invest in approximately 50 startups annually.
- ZEBOX Club
- ZEBOX Caribbean
- ZEBOX America
- ZEBOX APAC
- ZEBOX UK
- ZEBOX West Africa
Products and services
- ZEBOX Startup Accelerator Program Acceleration program for early-stage startups offering CMA CGM expert mentorship, market entry guidance, fundraising support, and visibility enhancement in logistics, supply chain, mobility, and decarbonization sectors.
- ZEBOX Scale-up Program 9-month acceleration program for revenue-generating startups seeking to scale teams, accelerate fundraising, and build commercial opportunities with CMA CGM Group and other corporate partners.
- ZEBOX Club International membership club of CMA CGM offering entrepreneurs tailored business opportunities, fundraising expert support, international scaling, event visibility, negotiated partner benefits, and access to ZEBOX workspaces.
- ZEBOX Ventures Seed Fund Seed investment fund targeting approximately 50 startups per year across optimized maritime transport and logistics, mobility, decarbonization and energy transition, process digitalization and AI, and future of work.
- ZEBOX Hubs Coworking Spaces Six global innovation hubs providing flexible coworking spaces, private offices, meeting rooms, and community events in Marseille, Guadeloupe, Arlington USA, Singapore, Manchester UK, and Abidjan Côte d'Ivoire.
Quantifiable outcome
- 235 million EUR raised by supported startups since 2018
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use ZEBOX Ventures
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
ZEBOX Ventures technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability3 records
Feature3 records
ZEBOX Ventures partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered founding, core and minor.
- CMA CGM GroupfoundingCMA CGM is the founding partner of ZEBOX, established in 2018 by Rodolphe Saadé (CEO of CMA CGM). CMA CGM is a global leader in maritime, land, air, and logistics solutions serving 420+ ports across 5 continents with 593 ships. ZEBOX serves as CMA CGM's innovation arm, connecting startups with the corporation for co-innovation in supply chain, logistics, and sustainability.
- CEVA LogisticscoreCEVA Logistics is a global supply chain management company and subsidiary of CMA CGM since 2019, with 110,000 employees across 1,300 offices and logistics sites worldwide. CEVA focuses on freight management and contract logistics, with interests in tracking, booking automation, robotics, and autonomous driving innovations.
- TransdevcoreTransdev joined ZEBOX in March 2024 as a strategic partner for sustainable mobility innovation. As a global public transport leader transporting 12 million passengers daily with 102,000+ employees across 19 countries, Transdev seeks startups for decarbonization, AI integration, and passenger experience improvement.
- BNP ParibascoreBNP Paribas, Europe's first global bank, supports ZEBOX startups through its WAI (We Are Innovation) label. Focuses on sustainable transport and finding innovative solutions for startups in the ecosystem, providing banking expertise and international network access.
- Action LogementcoreAction Logement partnered with ZEBOX in February 2025 to implement open innovation strategy for low-carbon construction in French overseas territories. The partnership focuses on building affordable, sustainable housing through ZEBOX Caribbean hub, addressing decarbonization, automation, and operational efficiency.
- Leonard (Groupe Vinci)coreLeonard is Vinci's foresight and innovation platform operating in 120+ countries. Joined ZEBOX to access international ecosystem of innovative solutions for optimizing goods and people transport and decarbonizing infrastructure. Vinci is a world leader in concessions, energy, and construction.
- Jifmar GroupminorJifmar joined ZEBOX as 15th industrial partner in 2025. The company operates a fleet of 65+ vessels worldwide providing global maritime organization including chartering, ship management, and complex maritime solutions combining engineering, maintenance operations, and underwater robotics.
- GTTminorGTT focuses on developing cutting-edge technologies for LNG storage and maritime transport. Joining ZEBOX ecosystem allows GTT to engage in decarbonization discussions and digital transformation, combining technologies to achieve IMO CO2 reduction targets.
- CentrimexminorCentrimex is a 70-year specialist in transit and logistics operating as a global network of 22 subsidiaries with 300 employees organizing international transport flows. Supports ZEBOX as it combines technological innovation with transport and logistics sector expertise.
- SARAminorSARA is listed as a local partner for ZEBOX Caribbean, providing regional support in the Caribbean ecosystem.
- FEDERminorFEDER (European Regional Development Fund) supports ZEBOX Caribbean as a local sponsor in the Guadeloupe region.
- B. Transport InternationalminorB. Transport International is a sponsor partner specializing in transport and logistics, particularly minerals, agricultural products, and goods transport. Local partner for ZEBOX West Africa in Abidjan.
- IFG AfriqueminorIFG Afrique is a higher education institution in Côte d'Ivoire since 2019, part of OMNES EDUCATION group (largest private higher education group in France). Supports ZEBOX West Africa by committing to train cadres and leaders on the continent.
- PLASTICA CIminorPLASTICA CI is an Ivorian industrial company created in 1999 in the plastics sector, providing innovative plastic industry products to its market and customers. Local sponsor for ZEBOX West Africa.
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)minorAWS provides startups with $10,000 in Activate credits over 2 years, along with customized content and exclusive partner offers to help startups develop on the world's first cloud platform.
- MicrosoftminorMicrosoft offers up to $150,000 in free credits and licenses, exclusive access to Microsoft tools, partner offers, mentorship, technical support, and global visibility through Microsoft commercial marketplace.
- HubSpotminorHubSpot provides startups with $1,000 in advertising credits for Google and LinkedIn, plus tools to boost CRM, marketing, and sales.
- MongoDBminorMongoDB provides $5,000 in free cloud credits over 12 months for building and developing startups on the flexible and powerful MongoDB data platform.
- ZendeskminorZendesk offers 6 months free of Zendesk Suite and Sales CRM, plus 15% discount on first year for eligible ZEBOX startups.
- French TechminorFrench Tech provides free membership to a startup ecosystem that stimulates growth through financing, talent, impact, and international expansion.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
ZEBOX Ventures competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Station F: The world's largest startup campus, based in Paris. Operates an accelerator platform connecting startups with corporate partners and investors — directly comparable to ZEBOX's B2B accelerator model serving the French/European ecosystem.
- Plug and Play Tech Center: Global corporate innovation and startup accelerator platform connecting enterprise partners with early-stage tech startups across verticals including supply chain, logistics, and mobility — directly overlapping ZEBOX's vertical focus and corporate-partner-driven model.
- Techstars: One of the world's largest pre-seed and seed accelerators with industry-specific programs. Comparable to ZEBOX as a multi-vertical accelerator offering mentorship, investor networks, and corporate partner access to early-stage companies.
- Wayra (Telefónica): Telefónica's global corporate venture capital and startup accelerator. Highly comparable as a CVC-operated accelerator with vertical focus (telecom/enterprise) and multiple regional hubs — a corporate accelerator model structurally similar to ZEBOX.
- Antler: Global early-stage VC and accelerator with a focus on early-stage (pre-seed/seed) founders. Comparable to ZEBOX Ventures' fund-plus-program model, particularly in Europe and emerging markets.
- Katapult Ocean: Ocean impact venture capital fund manager based in Oslo. Newly announced as a ZEBOX partner (Jan 2026), but functions as a direct peer in ocean/maritime impact investing — overlapping portfolio themes (ocean sustainability, maritime decarbonization).
- Startupbootcamp (Rainmaking): Global industry-focused accelerator network (now part of Rainmaking Innovation). Operates vertical-specific programs with corporate sponsors — directly comparable to ZEBOX's vertical-themed acceleration programs and corporate partnership structure.
Regional players
- H7 (Lyon): Lyon's flagship startup accelerator and corporate innovation platform. Comparable to ZEBOX as a French regional accelerator with corporate partner access, though H7 is geographically concentrated in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes versus ZEBOX's global footprint.
Broad incumbents
- Engie New Ventures: Corporate venture capital and open innovation arm of energy major Engie. Comparable as a CVC investment vehicle backing decarbonization and energy-transition startups — overlapping with ZEBOX's GreenTech and decarbonization themes.
- L'Accélérateur (BNP Paribas): BNP Paribas' startup accelerator program. Directly comparable as a CVC accelerator initiative from a corporate partner that ZEBOX already works with (BNP Paribas is a ZEBOX partner via its WAI label), with similar banking/fintech startup focus.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
ZEBOX Ventures social profiles
Digital presenceZEBOX Ventures financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ZEBOX Ventures leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
ZEBOX Ventures funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ZEBOX Ventures M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments9 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ZEBOX Ventures
What does ZEBOX Ventures do?
ZEBOX Ventures is the seed investment arm of ZEBOX, an international startup accelerator founded in 2018 by CMA CGM Group. It invests in approximately 50 startups annually across maritime transport and logistics, mobility, decarbonization, AI, and future of work themes. As part of the broader ZEBOX ecosystem, the offering combines seed capital with structured acceleration programs, co-innovation matching with corporate partners, and access to six global innovation hubs offering coworking space and community.
Is ZEBOX Ventures a public or private company?
ZEBOX Ventures is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was ZEBOX Ventures founded?
ZEBOX Ventures was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ZEBOX Ventures based?
ZEBOX Ventures is headquartered in Marseille, France, in the Europe region.
How does ZEBOX Ventures make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Acceleration Program Fees are the primary driver. The others are coworking Space Rental and ZEBOX Ventures Investment Returns.
Who are ZEBOX Ventures's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Station F, Plug and Play Tech Center, Techstars, Wayra (Telefónica), Antler, Katapult Ocean and Startupbootcamp (Rainmaking). H7 (Lyon) is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Engie New Ventures and L'Accélérateur (BNP Paribas).
Does ZEBOX Ventures have an API?
No public API is recorded for ZEBOX Ventures.
What industry is ZEBOX Ventures in?
ZEBOX Ventures's product category is Startup Acceleration and Venture Capital. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAM, Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated), with a secondary code of FSANAHAD, Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs. Its NAICS code is 523999 and its SIC code is 6282.