Biography of Conor Hagan: Founder & CEO of Explorate -Entrepreneur
Biography of Conor Hagan:
Beginning of Explorate
Conor Hagan, along with his co-founder Alex Ewart,
co-founded Explorate in 2017, aiming to revolutionize the logistics and freight
forwarding industry. Their shared experiences in the freight sector led them to
realize the industry's inefficiencies. They were frustrated by outdated
systems, which they knew could be improved with modern solutions. What started
as a simple idea to do things better, soon grew into a mission to change the
way freight is managed globally.
Challenges in the Early Days
In the early stages, the journey was far from easy.
Explorate faced significant challenges, including slow growth and frustration
due to low revenue. Despite having invested considerable personal time and
money, the company struggled to gain traction. Like many startups, they faced
doubts and uncertainties, but instead of giving up, they persevered. They were
determined to find a solution, even as the industry around them seemed
resistant to change.
Finding the Right Path
After two years of hard work, Conor and Alex realized that
simply replicating old methods wasn’t enough. They needed to fundamentally
rethink the way freight forwarding worked. The logistics market was vast, but
old habits made it tough to convince people to embrace new systems. Despite
these hurdles, they understood the potential impact of their idea and remained
committed to pushing forward, looking for ways to disrupt the industry and
offer something fresh.
Joining Skalata for Support
In their search for support and guidance, Conor and Alex
turned to Skalata, a venture firm that would become instrumental in their
startup's success. This partnership provided the boost they needed to move from
early struggles to rapid growth. It was at this point that Explorate began to
gain real momentum, with a clear vision and the support necessary to refine
their business model and scale operations.
Reaching New Heights
Today, Explorate has grown into a team of 70 people across
four offices and has secured over 1,500 clients. The company now ships goods
worth $200 million annually through its platform. What began as a small startup
has blossomed into a major player in the freight forwarding and logistics
space. With this success, the team has solidified its place in the industry,
offering innovative digital solutions for a traditionally cumbersome sector.
Securing Major Investment
In January 2022, Explorate reached a significant milestone
by raising $7.5 million in a Series A funding round led by EVP. This investment
has enabled the company to accelerate its growth plans, particularly focusing
on expanding into South East Asia. The funding also provided the resources
necessary to continue innovating and improving their platform, enhancing their
services for both existing and new clients.
Biography of Conor Hagan: Founder & CEO of Explorate -Entrepreneur #startup#age#net worth#investor#logistics and freight forwarding#Conor Hagan story
A Platform for the Future
Explorate’s platform is transforming the logistics industry
by offering a digital freight forwarding system that provides rapid quotes,
real-time shipment tracking, and workflow management. Their hybrid revenue
model combines technology-driven logistics services with a SaaS framework,
providing clients with powerful supply chain analytics and emissions data. This
has made Explorate a valuable tool for businesses looking to streamline their
logistics processes and make smarter, more sustainable decisions.
Fostering Innovation and Diversity
One of the standout features of Conor and Alex’s leadership
at Explorate is their commitment to fostering a culture of innovation,
sustainability, and diversity. With the motto “Just go and do - Stay curious!”
they encourage their team to embrace challenges and “fail forward.” They have
created an environment where creativity thrives, and the company actively
champions gender equality, achieving a 50/50 gender split in an industry that
has traditionally lacked such balance.
Achieving Recognition and Success
Explorate’s innovative approach and rapid growth have not
gone unnoticed. The company has been recognized for its achievements, with
Conor and Alex being named national finalists for Entrepreneur of the Year.
Their determination and success in competing against larger multinational
companies highlight the power of local innovation. With well-known clients like
Sussan and BioPak, Explorate has proven that innovation can drive significant
change in even the most traditional industries.
Driving the Future of Logistics
At its core, Explorate’s success is about more than just
business growth—it’s about creating a sustainable and inclusive future for the
logistics sector. Conor Hagan and Alex Ewart’s work is driving economic growth
while reshaping an industry that is critical to global trade. By combining
technology with a focus on sustainability, they are helping businesses become
more efficient and environmentally conscious. Explorate continues to be an
example of how innovation can change industries and build a better future for
all.
Timeline for story
2017: Co-founded Explorate to revolutionize logistics and
freight forwarding.
2019: Faced early challenges with slow growth and low
revenue.
2019: Partnered with Skalata for support, leading to
significant momentum.
2021: Expanded to a team of 70 people across four offices,
with over 1,500 clients.
January 2022: Raised $7.5 million in Series A funding,
focusing on South East Asia expansion.
2023: Achieved recognition as national finalists for
Entrepreneur of the Year.
