Logistics Opportunity Challenge

About the Logistics
Opportunity Challenge

Epicenter and the Memphis World Trade Club announce the 2026 Logistics Opportunity Challenge. This program is for startups facing the most pressing challenges facing the logistics industry. And there’s no better place to do it than Memphis, our nation’s logistics hub. Selected startups will make connections with and get valuable feedback from industry leaders. Up to 6 finalists will receive a $3,000 cash prize; they will also get to present to more than 20 potential customers in Memphis on October 1 at the Logistics Innovation Showcase and attend the 75th annual Port of New Orleans Night at the Peabody Hotel. While a pilot or enterprise contract is not guaranteed, the 2024 and 2025 Logistics Opportunity Challenges both resulted in paid pilot opportunities that converted to full contracts. If you have questions about the program, please email nate@epicentermemphis.org.

Challenge Area 1:

Cold Chain

Problem Statement:

How might we improve the delivery experience at grocery warehouses in a way that increases scheduling and unloading efficiency so that carriers are more willing to accept these loads and throughput becomes more predictable?
How might we source and deploy cold-chain LTL carriers in a more efficient and scalable way in a way that maintains speed to market so that we can compete more effectively in the refrigerated freight space?

Challenge Area 2:

Drayage & Intermodal

Problem Statement:

How might we have arepository of all interchanges (J-1s) from rails, ports, and depots in a waythat shifts the burden of collection from the driver and from operations, andeliminates the difference in delivery mechanisms, so that we can pay our driverswithout delay and be paid without delay?
How might we create end-to-end cargo visibility across all transportation modes in a way that delivers universally accessible, actionable information to stakeholders so that all parties can rely on a single source of truth and proactively manage shipments with confidence?
How might we knowexactly where a specific loaded container is in the stack, in a way that allowsus to optimize dispatch order to railyards and other storage facilities, sothat we can decrease driver delays, reduce turn time, and increase driversatisfaction?
How might we obtain and standardize international freight rates from overseas partners in a way that delivers real-time, market-based pricing so that we can respond faster and compete more effectively?

Challenge Area 3:

Fraud Prevention & Detection

Problem Statement:

How might we vet and onboard carriers in a defined, automated process in a way that consolidates multiple data sources into a single pane of glass so that we accelerate onboarding speed while preventing fraudulent carriers from entering the network?
How might we identifycomplex fraud that involves duplication of real, trustworthy information in away that eliminates reliance on falsifiable records, detects fraudulent actorsbefore transactions are approved and doesn't require customers to adopt newtechnology or processes, so that we reduce our liability and exposure to fraud?
How might we document and standardize the lifecycle of carrier vetting and dispatch decisions in a way that demonstrates reasonable care in carrier selection so that we can create a verifiable and auditable record so that brokers are better protected against negligence and liability claims?
How might we identifydiscrepancies or anomalies in chassis usage before being invoiced in a way thatdoesn't require additional work for our drivers, so that we can reduce the timeand resources spent reconciling and disputing chassis invoices?

Challenge Area 4:

Oversized/Overweight Loads

Problem Statement:

How might we streamline oversized and overweight shipment planning in a way that automates equipment selection, routing, and regulatory compliance so that we reduce planning time and execute shipments more efficiently and with less risk?
How might we get verified and accurate information about single trips of irregular loads in away that complies with appropriate regulations and guidelines so that we can do more business outside of our regular lanes?

Let’s move the logistics industry forward.

Apply Today!