Start-up SiWeGo launches sustainable logistics pilot in Hamburg

In the vibrant city of Hamburg, Germany, a transformative initiative is poised to reshape the urban logistics scene. SiWeGO, an Italian start-up often hailed as the “Blablacar of goods,” has launched a 16-week pilot project to refine the city’s delivery operations and reduce the environmental footprint of goods transportation. 

This ambitious endeavour stems from SiWeGO’s success in the 2022 Circular Cities ClimAccelerator, supported by EIT Climate-KIC. Having triumphed through all three stages of the programme, the start-up was selected for Scaleup Landing Pad Hamburg run by Hamburg Invest and caught the attention of the municipality. 

SiWeGO matches people needing to ship goods quickly and efficiently with drivers on the same shared route, reducing the number of vehicles on the road. The start-up is now collaborating with the local community to address Hamburg’s climate goals, which include mitigating 1.4 million tonnes of CO2 by 2030 through mobility transformation. 

“Hamburg is a major city with such an important history in the transportation sector, as evidenced by its port, one of the largest in the world. It’s certainly no coincidence that such a glorious past has led to a strong drive and desire for innovation,” said Marcello Favalli, CEO and Co-founder of SiWeGo. 

Transforming urban logistics

The SiWeGO x Hamburg pilot project is strategically designed to achieve the following key objectives:

1. App Implementation: The SiWeGO app will take centre stage as the primary tool for citizens and businesses to engage in shared logistics. The goal is to seamlessly integrate the app into the daily lives of Hamburg residents, fostering a culture of shared and sustainable transportation.
2. Environmental Impact Reduction: By optimising delivery routes and promoting shared logistics, SiWeGO aims to significantly decrease both traffic congestion and CO2 emissions. The project serves as a model for mitigating the environmental impact of goods transportation in densely populated urban areas.
3. Traffic Flow Improvement: Beyond reducing emissions, SiWeGO seeks to enhance the overall safety and fluidity of urban traffic. The optimised logistics operations are expected to contribute to a more efficient and harmonious flow of goods within the city.
4. Community Engagement: The SiWeGO team will actively involve the local community throughout the project by monitoring and optimising operations based on user feedback. Workshops and educational campaigns will be conducted to inform citizens about the benefits of shared logistics and encourage widespread adoption of the SiWeGO app.

Driving change at the local level

With the support of the Hamburg municipality and the unwavering commitment of the SiWeGO team, this project is poised to make a lasting and positive impact on the city, setting the stage for future initiatives in sustainable urban logistics.

The pilot mirrors EIT Climate-KIC’s pivotal role in scaling start-ups to meet the innovation demands of cities, regions, countries and industries. SiWeGo brought on EIT Climate-KIC as a strategic investor in 2022, joining our portfolio of nearly 100 climate start-ups.