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InstaFreight

Defunct

Berlin, DE · Founded 2016 · 5 known investors

Find your way into InstaFreight

1,535 people in our graph share verified history with the InstaFreight team — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.

Ben Robbinsunlockedknows Maximilian Schäfer · together at Harvard Business School (overlapped)
×2knows the team · via Rocket Internet
knows the team · via Rocket Internet SE
knows the team · via Stanford University Graduate School of Business
knows the team · via Harvard Business School
knows the team · via Harvard University

cargomotion is a road freight transportation software platform for logistics providers, connecting shippers, operators, and carriers through digital interfaces to help grow business, automate operations, and source carriers. It was originally developed as the software backbone of InstaFreight, a digital freight forwarder in Europe, and is now offered to other logistics providers.

B2B MarketplacesLogistics & Supply ChainSaaS

Founders & leadership

InstaFreight was founded in 2016 by Gion-Otto Presser-Velder, Markus Dötsch, Maximilian Schäfer, and Philipp Ortwein.

GP
Gion-Otto Presser-VelderCo-FounderCo-founded InstaFreight with Philipp Ortwein in 2016. Died in 2017; Maximilian Schäfer then joined as second managing director.
MD
Markus DötschinCo-Founder & CTPOCo-founded InstaFreight as Chief Technology & Product Officer (from 2017), building the freight platform after launching 100+ businesses across 120 markets at Rocket Internet. Later co-founded CargoMotion; subsequently CTO roles including Metrify/Enpal.
MSMaximilian Schäfer
Maximilian SchäferinCo-Founder & Managing DirectorJoined InstaFreight as managing director in 2017 after TNT customer-experience and Rocket Internet/Lamoda delivery-ops roles. Scaled operations; later co-founded CargoMotion. Harvard Business School background per his LinkedIn headline.
POPhilipp Ortwein
Philipp OrtweininCo-Founder & Managing DirectorEx-McKinsey and Bain strategy/digitization consultant. Co-founded InstaFreight in June 2016 with Gion-Otto Presser-Velder and later CargoMotion after buying the platform out of insolvency. Serial founder focused on digital logistics.

Investors · 5

Rocket Internet SEBerlin
European Investment BankreportedLuxembourg
Heliad AGreportedFrankfurt am Main · $5.4M – $16.2M
Shell VenturesreportedLondon

Also in the syndicate · 1

Heliad Equity Partnerslead

Funding

SEC filings, press & company announcements
  • Undisclosed amountSeries BSep 2025

    Heliad Equity Partners (lead)

    Source ↗

Source: company announcements and press reports — follow each round's link for the claim.

Founder mafia

4 people who came through InstaFreight went on to found or lead other companies.

Alexander PalffyProductFounded BywaysMarkus DötschCo-Founder & CTPOFounded CargomotionMaximilian SchäferCo-Founder & Managing DirectorFounded CargomotionPhilipp OrtweinCo-Founder & Managing DirectorFounded Cargomotion

In the news

Heliad Equity Partners leads InstaFreight’s $40 million Series B funding round | HELIAD Hightlightsheliad.com · Sep 2025InstaFreight files for insolvency in hope for better future - Transport Intelligenceti-insight.com · Feb 2024InstaFreight closes largest funding round in its history - Transport Intelligenceti-insight.com · Mar 2022InstaFreight snags $9.5m in series A funding - FreightWavesfreightwaves.com · Mar 2019Berlin-based InstaFreight raises €8 million to reshape the fragmented transport market in Europe | EU-Startupseu-startups.com · Nov 2017Heliad Equity Partners News | Markets Insidermarkets.businessinsider.com

Frequently asked questions

What does InstaFreight do?
cargomotion is a road freight transportation software platform for logistics providers, connecting shippers, operators, and carriers through digital interfaces to help grow business, automate operations, and source carriers. It was originally developed as the software backbone of InstaFreight, a digital freight forwarder in Europe, and is now offered to other logistics providers.
Who founded InstaFreight?
InstaFreight was founded by Gion-Otto Presser-Velder, Markus Dötsch, Maximilian Schäfer, Philipp Ortwein in 2016.
Who are InstaFreight's investors?
InstaFreight's investors include Rocket Internet SE, European Investment Bank, Heliad AG, Shell Ventures.
Where is InstaFreight headquartered?
InstaFreight is headquartered in Berlin, DE.