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Startup News for Female Entrepreneurs in Europe

Freight Logistics Startup GoodShip Expands in 2025: Startup News Tips and Insights

GoodShip-Series-B-funding
In the rapidly evolving logistics sector, staying ahead of the curve requires innovation, strategic funding, and a commitment to solving industry pain points. Freight logistics startup GoodShip, founded in 2022, is making waves by opening a new headquarters in Bellevue, Washington after securing a $25 million Series B funding round in 2025. This move signals both the growth of the company and the increasing importance of tech-driven solutions in supply chain management.

Key Highlights: Funding and Expansion

GoodShip specializes in shipping logistics data management, providing a streamlined software platform for businesses to optimize procurement, analytics, and carrier management. Here's what you need to know about their latest milestone:
  • Funding Total: $25M Series B
  • Lead Investor: Greenfield Partners
  • Additional Investors:
  • Bessemer Venture Partners
  • Ironspring Ventures
  • FUSE, a Bellevue-based venture capital firm
  • Chicago Ventures
  • New Office: Downtown Bellevue, Washington
  • Team Size: 40 employees globally (14 in the Seattle area)
GoodShip’s platform leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to improve operational efficiency and decision-making. The company aims to use the funds for platform enhancement and greater investment in AI capabilities to empower shippers and carriers alike.
Learn more about GoodShip's mission and services on their official website.

Startup Trends in Seattle’s Supply Chain Tech Hub

With the Bellevue office, GoodShip joins a growing cluster of logistics tech startups in the greater Seattle area, known for its rich talent pool and proximity to corporate heavyweights like Amazon, Convoy, and Flexport. The region has become a hotbed for supply chain innovation, with startups tackling challenges from predictive analytics to seamless freight orchestration.
If you're interested in additional Seattle startup trends, check out GeekWire's startup news insights.

Top Tips for Startup Founders: What We Can Learn from GoodShip

As a startup founder, scaling your business is always a challenging yet rewarding phase. Here are entrepreneurial lessons inspired by GoodShip’s recent achievements:
  1. Secure Strategic Funding: Partner with investors who understand your domain and can provide more than capital, opt for those offering industry connections and mentorship.
  2. Leverage Technology: Whether it's AI for logistics or blockchain in finance, integrating cutting-edge technology into your core operations is no longer optional.
  3. Build a Hybrid Work Culture: Remote startups transitioning to office spaces, like GoodShip, emphasize the value of cultural hubs for collaboration and employee engagement.

Explore PlayPal: Your AI Startup Companion

Success doesn't come alone, and founders often need a helping hand. GoodShip’s approach to scaling with AI reflects the importance of leveraging digital tools. If you're looking for a startup companion, check out PlayPal, an innovative AI friend created for entrepreneurs.
PlayPal offers:
  • Conversations about startup challenges, ideas, and solutions
  • Personalized advice based on your interests and ventures
  • Support for mental well-being and professional development
The Fe/male Switch platform also includes grants application tools like the F/MS AI Grant Finder, which allows founders to quickly identify EU funding opportunities. Grant seekers can even use the tool to draft applications, saving time and boosting efficiency.

Common Mistakes to Avoid as a Startup Founder

  • Skipping Legal Reviews: Agreements like term sheets should be vetted thoroughly. Find support with tools like AI Startup Lawyer, which simplifies legal jargon and prevents you from falling into hidden pitfalls.
  • Overlooking Funding Diversification: Don’t rely on a single funding source, explore grants, accelerators, and venture capital to hedge risks.
  • Ignoring Feedback: Whether from mentors, investors, or even AI tools like PlayPal, constructive feedback is critical to pivot and grow.

GoodShip’s 2025 Expansion: Numbers to Watch

  • Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR): Reportedly grew 10x in 2024
  • Customer Success: Trusted by brands like Kellanova, Tropicana, Reser's Foods, and Mike's Hard Lemonade
These numbers underline the commercial viability of tech-driven logistics platforms, which are projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.5% globally through 2030.

Conclusion: What’s Next for Entrepreneurs?

The logistics startup ecosystem reflects broader opportunities across industries for innovation. By securing funding, capitalizing on technology, and expanding strategically, businesses like GoodShip set benchmarks for scaling in competitive landscapes.
If you're looking to launch or grow your own startup, leverage tools like:
Whether you're in logistics, deep tech, or another vertical, the key takeaway from GoodShip’s success is clear: embrace tech, build relationships, and scale intelligently.
Startup news for 2025: The industry is waiting for your innovation!

FAQ

1. What is GoodShip and what does it specialize in?
GoodShip is a logistics software startup founded in 2022. The company specializes in shipping logistics data management, offering tools for procurement, analytics, and carrier management. Visit GoodShip's official website
2. How much funding did GoodShip raise in 2025 and who led the investment?
GoodShip raised $25 million in a Series B round in 2025, led by Greenfield Partners. Additional investors include Bessemer Venture Partners, Ironspring Ventures, FUSE, and Chicago Ventures. Read the GeekWire article about GoodShip’s funding
3. Where will GoodShip’s new headquarters be located?
GoodShip opened a new headquarters in downtown Bellevue, Washington, transitioning from a fully remote work model. Learn more in GeekWire's coverage
4. Who are GoodShip’s key executives?
GoodShip’s CEO is Ryan Soskin, based in Nashville, Tennessee, and its CTO is David Tsai, based in Seattle. Both executives are former Convoy employees. Check Ryan Soskin's LinkedIn profile | Explore David Tsai's LinkedIn profile
5. What are some of GoodShip’s notable customers?
GoodShip serves major brands such as Tropicana, Kellanova, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, and Reser’s Fine Foods. Discover GoodShip’s platform
6. How has GoodShip performed financially in recent years?
GoodShip experienced a 10x growth in annual recurring revenue (ARR) during 2024, reflecting strong commercial traction. Check out GeekWire's report
7. What role does AI play in GoodShip’s logistics solutions?
GoodShip integrates AI into its platform to enhance operational efficiency, predictive analytics, and decision-making processes for shippers and carriers. Learn about GoodShip’s AI-driven tools
8. What is Seattle’s role in supply chain innovation?
Seattle has become a hub for logistics startups, offering a strong talent pool and proximity to industry leaders like Amazon, Convoy, and Flexport. Explore GeekWire’s insights on the Seattle startup ecosystem
9. What trends can startup founders learn from GoodShip’s expansion?
GoodShip emphasizes securing strategic funding, leveraging AI, and transitioning to hybrid workspaces for collaboration and cultural value. Read startup lessons from GoodShip’s growth
10. How can entrepreneurs find funding opportunities like GoodShip?
Entrepreneurs can use tools like the F/MS AI Grant Finder to identify and apply for funding opportunities efficiently. Explore F/MS AI Grant Finder

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.

Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain

Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
  • Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
  • She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
  • Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
  • Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
  • She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
  • Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
  • Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
  • She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
  • Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about best hotels in Italy to work from.

About the Publication

Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch. The Fe/male Switch team is located in several countries, including the Netherlands and Malta.

Mission and Purpose

Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.

Key Features

The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
  • Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
  • Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
  • AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
  • SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
  • Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
  • Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials

Impact and Growth

Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
  • 3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
  • 100+ startup tools built
  • 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written

Partnerships

Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.

Recognition

Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.