MILWAUKEE, WI (May 11, 2023) — Renaissant, Inc., a Wisconsin-based logistics software company, has closed a $1.5 million seed round, led by Venture 53 with participation from TitletownTech and NFI Ventures.
Renaissant helps warehouse operators more efficiently monitor, track, and predict the flow of truck traffic, yard assets, and people around their facilities, resulting in reduced idle truck time and more efficient labor usage. The funds will be used to grow the Renaissant team in several strategic functions, including engineering and customer success. The team will also look to accelerate its product innovation pipeline.
“Over the past three years, industry participants have continuously shared two overarching themes. First, that logistics operations and IT systems are siloed and inefficient. Second, the universe of logistics technology has many tools that solve single problems, for example tracking devices and cameras, but those tools don’t enhance broader workflow solutions,” said Renaissant Founder and CEO Tom Dean. “We’re helping bridge these gaps, and through these new partnerships with Venture 53, TitletownTech and NFI Ventures, we’ll be able to grow even faster to meet industry demand.”
The company’s technology platform bridges gaps and captures relevant data from existing, legacy technologies to make that data more powerful and scalable for operators without the need for a major new software upgrade and implementation.
Renaissant was founded in 2019 by CEO Tom Dean to address gaps in the logistics, transportation and warehousing industries. Tom has over 25 years of experience in leading teams and organizations in finance, energy, solutions architecture and data science. His broad experience and creative approach to problem solving allowed him to identify the inherent limitations to existing logistics workflow and systems. His unique perspective has provided the foundation for Renaissant’s innovative approach to solving supply chain challenges.
“Every warehouse in the United States needs this technology,” said Pat Martin, Founder and General Partner, Venture 53. “Tom Dean is the right guy to bring a new level of supply chain execution, it’s a win for every party in the supply chain. Venture 53 is very excited about our opportunity to partner with Renaissant.”
“We are excited to invest in Renaissant, and believe the company adds important value to the transportation marketplace,” said TitletownTech Managing Director Craig Dickman. “Renaissant’s innovative approach to yard management, which integrates warehouse management, transportation management, and driver platforms, fills an important gap for companies looking to improve the flow of goods through their facilities.”
Renaissant serves a diverse customer base across manufacturing, food distribution, freight forwarding, and third-party logistics (3PL). Also, with new regulations requiring warehouse operators to annually document and report semi-truck activity and related carbon emissions outside their facilities, Renaissant is eager to partner with the container freight station (CFS) market to help these operators automate and track all truck activity, supporting reduced truck emissions to accurately comply with regulations.
About Renaissant
Renaissant launched in 2019 to help companies optimize logistics operations through technology and data. The company has experienced rapid growth in the past two years, doubling employee size as well as its core customer base. The Renaissant platform is driving efficiencies across warehouses, yards, and loading docks across America. To learn more about Renaissant, please visit www.renaissant.com
About Venture 53
Founded in 2020, Venture 53 is an investment firm based in Atlanta, Georgia, and Richmond, Virginia. The firm is a pure-play venture capital fund focused on the supply chain technology, transportation, and logistics business. We don’t get distracted by anything else. We find promising industry-changing companies, and then we work with their founders to move them from promising to proven, resulting in better paths to profit and improved valuations. All of this is done with speed to be on the front end of industry change. Discover more at www.venture53.vc
About TitletownTech
Formed in 2019 out of a partnership between the Green Bay Packers and Microsoft, TitletownTech is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in bold entrepreneurs solving meaningful problems. Located in Green Bay’s Titletown, TitletownTech’s unique ecosystem convenes engaged investors, in-residence partners, industry advisors, higher education, and a dedicated team to provide founders with support and guidance tailored to their needs. With investments across six verticals: sports, media, & entertainment; digital health; agriculture, water, & the environment; manufacturing & construction; supply chain & logistics; and cross-industry technology, TitletownTech invests in the US, with a focus on the Midwest. For more information, please visit www.TitletownTech.com.
About NFI Ventures
NFI Ventures is a venture capital group founded by NFI’s fourth generation of ownership. Since 1932, the Brown family has grown NFI into a fully integrated North American supply chain solutions provider. NFI Ventures invests and strategically partners with early-stage companies that seek to innovate and disrupt the supply chain and logistics industry. For more information, visit www.nfiventures.com