Integrated Platform for Shipping and Logistics Data, Solving International Logistics Services at Once

Nam Youngsoo, CEO of ValuelinkU... Supported by KOSME Innovation Startup Commercialization Fund
Over 10% Sales Growth Last Year, Secured 5 Billion KRW Investment in First Half

Nam Young-su, CEO of Valuelink U

Amid rising logistics costs and the urgent need for export-import companies to secure 'logistics competitiveness,' a domestic startup is creating a fresh breeze in the related industry through a self-built integrated shipping and logistics data platform. This is ValueLinkU, which supports the complex international logistics process in a one-stop manner. Now in its fourth year since founding, the startup is one step closer to establishing a digital logistics infrastructure within South Korea's industry, based on new investment secured this year.

Nam Young-soo, CEO of ValueLinkU, stated, "This year is the first year we are launching our own monetization model," and added, "We plan to complete a 5 billion KRW investment round within the first half of the year." The core of ValueLinkU’s integrated shipping and logistics data platform is its ability to resolve various internationally segmented logistics services all at once. Customers can receive free comparative quotes for the entire international logistics process?including inland transportation, export-import customs clearance, maritime and air transport?along with brokerage and forwarding services through this platform. Additionally, shipping companies and logistics providers can conduct sales activities on the platform without having to seek out cargo owners. According to CEO Nam, this creates an ecosystem where companies related to shipping and logistics coexist and thrive.

Based on this platform, ValueLinkU recorded sales of 6.34 billion KRW last year, marking over 10% growth compared to the previous year. However, what stands out more is this year’s sales target. ValueLinkU has set a goal of 83.56 billion KRW for this year, which is more than 13 times last year’s revenue. The current staff of 93 employees is also planned to increase to 120.

The aggressive business expansion plan is backed by confidence in the additional services to be launched this year. CEO Nam describes this as 'ValueLinkU 3.0.' Specifically, he said, "We plan to provide logistics agency services to e-commerce companies," and added, "By focusing on this service, we will offer e-commerce operators an integrated service combining international transportation and fulfillment."

This business model reflects CEO Nam’s experience and expertise. He is a logistics expert who has served as team leader and Qingdao branch manager at Hanjin Shipping, as well as business development team leader at Hanjin Logistics. Currently, he participates as faculty in the distribution, logistics, and trade division of the Korea Productivity Center and serves as the secretariat of the private-led Global Shipping and Logistics Consortium (GSDC), which promotes digital transformation of shipping and logistics data.

However, there were considerable trials and errors before ValueLinkU’s platform took root. In the early days of the startup, cash flow tightened due to continuous investment expenses such as labor and development costs for platform construction. CEO Nam said, "Startups are technology-based, so they lack financial leeway," and added, "Especially ValueLinkU focused on building a free-sharing platform for three years, which led to a shortage of funds." In this situation, ValueLinkU received support from the Small and Medium Business Corporation’s ‘Innovative Startup Commercialization Fund,’ a policy fund aimed at revitalizing promising SMEs and promoting job creation. CEO Nam said, "Through the Small and Medium Business Corporation, we received 70 million KRW in 2019 and an additional 300 million KRW earlier this year, which served as seed money for the company’s growth."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.