4. HIVED: the queen bee of net zero deliveries

Founders: Murvah Iqbal and Mathias Krieger
Year founded: 2021
Website: hived.space

Five years ago, Murvah Iqbal and Mathias Krieger, cofounders of HIVED, were the CEOs of a very different type of business: outdoor advertising brand, Vanvas, with which they were selling ad space on the side of delivery vans. It failed just one year in.

Except there are no real failures in business, only lessons. Iqbal and Krieger had poured over rich datasets of delivery routes for Vanvas, uncovering huge inefficiencies in the parcel industry and dire Net Promoter Scores (NPS). As the ecommerce market boomed, they spotted an opportunity for innovation. And, like all good entrepreneurs, they leapt on it.

That was a bold enough move in itself. Few challenger brands exist in the parcel sector, as carriers such as DPD and Evri hold a monopoly over the sector. But these also operate on decades-old models and software systems, causing frustration among shopaholics.

We believe HIVED's model will offer customers new value and a transformative delivery experience.

In this context, HIVED’s chief market proposition is agility. Rather than keep customers on the doorstep, the company empowers them with Uber-style live tracking and the ability to redirect their parcels. It claims to have reduced complaints for retail partners by 95%.

Let’s talk about those partners. Some of the biggest are Nespresso, Zara, and ASOS, as well as Startups 100 alumni Candy Kittens and Pip & Nut.

Signing these brands is about more than just name recognition. Having conquered London, HIVED plans to scale into other UK cities this year, including Manchester and Birmingham. This client roster gives the business a metaphorical shoe in the door for regional expansion.

Before Leeds, however, comes Japan. Last October, the startup partnered with (and gained investment from) Japan’s largest delivery company, Yamato. “We believe HIVED’s model will offer customers new value and a transformative delivery experience,” said the partner.

There’s space in the boot for one more talking point. While legacy couriers operate primarily diesel fleets, HIVED is 100% electrified. Last November, it scaled its sustainability credentials even further by bringing electric HGVs to the UK’s roads.

Competitors might also exist for last-mile deliveries, but these HGVs represent a first in the industry for middle-mile transportation (linking local hubs and regional distribution centres).

In just three years, HIVED has become the queen bee of sustainable and disruptive courier services. It has delivered nearly three million parcels to date, and grown to a team of 100. From humble beginnings to a top UK startup, we expect great things from HIVED in 2025.