Shipster is quite simply the fastest way to ship anything, anywhere.
And it’s easy: you just take a picture of what you want to send, large or small, then tell Shipster where you want to send it. A Shipster will show up in minutes and you’re done. You can even track your shipment while Shipster packs it and delivers it anywhere in the world.
CEO Christian Vizcaino tells us how they manage to get it done pronto (and no, they will not ship your kid off to school).
Tell us about the service.
Shipster is an on-demand shipping platform — providing the fastest way to send anything anywhere.
Individuals or businesses submit shipment requests through our apps and APIs and our agents pick up in less than 30 minutes. Local shipments are delivered immediately, while long distance shipments are packed and shipped out of our aggregation centers.
How is it different?
We are obsessed with the intersection between the virtual and physical worlds. Our technology platform is powered by proprietary image recognition algorithms, which identify item dimensions, materials, and value, allowing us to dispatch the optimal vehicle for the job. Our apps also automate the tedious processes of account onboarding, shipment requesting, tracking, payment and documentation (domestically and internationally). Logistics is one of the oldest industries and it’s amazing to see how many opportunities there are for innovation.
What market are you attacking and how big is it?
The domestic logistics market is huge ($85bn) and there are many pockets of demand we are attacking. There are also new parts of the market that we are helping create, and that’s also super exciting. We prioritize parts of the market that value convenience, service and speed — and are always on the lookout for innovative New York companies seeking a partner to build new business models powered by on-demand logistics. New Yorkers are finding innovative ways to use Shipster every day, so it keeps us on our toes.
What is the business model?
It’s simple: we connect those wanting to send anything anywhere with the best service providers. We make a commission from each transaction by adding a layer of convenience and technology to current logistics solutions.
What’s the strangest thing that your company has been asked to ship?
We were asked to ship kids to school one morning. As much as we would’ve liked to help, we didn’t accept the job. Another request that stands out was shipping a wedding ring that got left behind. We sent it on the next flight out of NYC and the wedding festivities didn’t miss a beat.
What are the milestones that you plan to achieve within 6 months?
We plan to continue growing our customer base and focusing on maintaining the highest quality service. We have plans to expand outside of NYC in the near future and to establish strategic hubs that enable unprecedented logistics services – stay tuned.
If you could be put in touch with one investor in the New York community who would it be and why?
We like to keep information regarding our investors and fundraising confidential. That being said, we have an extremely high level of admiration for legendary investors like Fred Wilson and Chris Dixon (although he’s now on the West Coast.)
Why did you launch in New York?
Our mission to provide the fastest service possible aligns perfectly with the non-stop mentality here in New York. New Yorkers want things done ‘now now now’ and that’s exactly the kind of company we are – fast-paced and relentless.
People here are also up on the latest trends, whether in fashion or technology. Our on-demand platform is one of a kind and offers unprecedented speed and convenience. We think Shipster-NYC is a perfect match.
What’s your favorite fall destination in NYC?
The Storm King Art Center is amazing. It’s a bit of a trip but definitely worth it to catch the foliage during the fall. Just don’t ask us to ship you there.
