Shypple's Only Way Is Up and this is why

MASTERS' The Only Way Is Up features founders of startups who are not afraid to present a new idea to the world, and with success. This week's spotlight is on Shypple, the online intermediary for shipping freight.Text: Patrick Stoffer
Image: ShypplePlease imagine: you have a business and buy products abroad that you want shipped to the port of Rotterdam. Previously, this was quite a bit of work, until now. Rotterdam-based digital freight forwarder platform, Shypple is the middleman when it comes to container shipping. MASTERS spoke to the Rotterdam-based CEO/Founder, Jarell Habets.

Started from the bottom and now we're...

''This year we are heading toward €60 million in revenue and have more than 100 employees. We have more than 500 paying customers and more than 3,000 companies worldwide are using our platform.''

Best tip you've had?

''If you have a good idea for a business, start talking to customers and selling the idea as soon as possible. You will quickly find out if your assumptions about potential success are correct and can quickly adjust your idea or expectations. You don't build businesses behind a desk, you build them by being "out there" and hearing your potential customer's problems.''

Why do you think Shypple is so successful?

''I think you are truly successful as an entrepreneur if you have a strong opinion, but are amenable to reasoning. That means you can be convinced by others who can come up with hard facts or arguments that can overturn your persistent opinion. This results in creating a healthy corporate culture, where the best ideas are brought to fruition, and not the ideas of the boss or whoever shouts the loudest. That's where smart people want to work, and they will help your company move forward. A company without ego, but with reasoning.''

What company/service would you have liked to think of yourself?

''I feel strongly about the online banks that are emerging now. When I see what the service level is and what legacy systems current banks are sitting with, I would love to help disrupt this market and give consumers the experience you should expect anno 2021.''

What would you do with 1 million?

''That 1 million would go directly into Shypple. We are in such a huge market where we can still do so much. I firmly believe that that million will still go times 30 into Shypple.''

What bids have there been for your company?

''About every year and a half or so we issue new shares. Based on our performance and negotiations, a share price comes out of that. We have never offered to sell our entire company, only small pieces each time. We use the resulting liquidity to grow faster and raise money in the next round at a higher valuation. In our current setup, you can safely think of the company being worth well over 100 million euros in the next round.''

Where do you see yourselves in 5 years?

''The Shypple app is already widely used in Asia, where many factories and agents cooperate with our customers in Europe. I believe that in five years the Shypple app will be a household name in world trade and will surely be used in almost all countries worldwide. And I would love to be part of the unicorn group in Europe. The potential is there!

THE ONLY WAY IS UP

THE ONLY WAY IS UP is a column by MASTERS, where the founders of successful startups* are put to the test about their success, mission and future. Each week a new startup is spotlighted, so be inspired! Also curious how startups Felyx, Somnox, BridgeFund, Neurolytics as well as FIGO Mobility, Finnik and Parfumado manage to achieve their success? Then read this one too.

Your startup also in the spotlight? Mail for the possibilities to Patrick Stoffer (patrick@mastershq.nl).

*Startup: a company no more than five years old focused on rapid growth with an innovative idea: young, ambitious and innovative.

Photo: Jarell Habets, Shypple