By harnessing the power of AI from Microsoft, award-winning Kilkenny-based start-up, Prodensus has revolutionised freight management and logistics procurement, enabling businesses to save time, cut costs, and meet sustainability goals – some clients are seeing 40% reductions in operating costs within the first year, while others have reported 25% reductions in emissions. Recognised as the ‘AI-Focused Startup of the Year’ at the 2024 National Startup Awards, Prodensus is driving transformation in a critical global industry.
An innovative Irish startup is making waves on the global stage. Prodensus, named the “AI Focused Award Winner” at the 2024 National Startup Awards, is leveraging the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and Microsoft technology to transform how freight management and logistics companies are managing their supply chains, and emissions reporting. This is the story of how an indigenous Irish company is using cutting-edge technology to drive efficiency and innovation in a critical industry.
“AI allows us to process data at a scale and speed that would be impossible to do manually and means our clients can react quickly to changes in the market and stay ahead of the competition.” Frankie Bates, Prodensus CEO and Co-Founder
The Origin of Prodensus
Prodensus was born out of necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when supply chains were under unprecedented strain. Recognising the challenges of fluctuating freight prices and logistical bottlenecks, Prodensus set out to create a robust solution. Frankie Bates, CEO and Co-Founder of Prodensus, recalls the early days of the pandemic: ‘We were faced with unprecedented challenges, but we saw an opportunity to innovate and make a real difference in the logistics industry. We realised we could create a tool that could handle large volumes of data and analyse it quickly using AI,” Frankie explained. “Our goal was to provide businesses with the insights they needed to navigate the complexities of the procurement process.”
Creating Efficiency with AI
As global supply chains were become increasingly complex, the need for innovative solutions had never been greater. Supply chain disruptions can have far-reaching consequences, so Prodensus designed an AI-driven solution to provide businesses with the agility and resilience needed to navigate these challenges effectively.
At the heart of Prodensus’ success is its proprietary AI-driven procurement tool, DataMate, designed to revolutionise freight data management. This innovative platform leverages advanced algorithms and over 80 years of coded domain knowledge to rapidly clean, process, and enrich vast volumes of data. By delivering precise cost-saving and freight profiling insights, DataMate enables businesses to make real-time, informed decisions, optimising operations and accelerating supply chain efficiency.
“Over two thirds of global multinationals are unsure of what they spend on freight on any specific day. Whereas by implementing our solution, one of our clients, a leading global logistics company, saw a 40% reduction in operational costs within the first year of implementing the DataMate platform for logistics management,” Frankie claimed.
“Prodensus has the claim to be the world’s only AI-enabled data-cleaning and enhancement solution specialised for freight,” explained Frankie. “We give our clients clean, enriched data with specific cost-saving insights and significant reductions in operational expenditure – both in terms of analyst hours and overall freight costs.”
In addition to its data-cleaning capabilities, DataMate serves as a real-time marketplace where buyers and suppliers collaborate on the best contracted rates, streamlining logistics procurement. Backed by Enterprise Ireland, Prodensus is at the forefront of transforming the logistics industry with cutting-edge AI technology, delivering immediate efficiency gains and measurable cost reductions.
Driving Sustainability in Logistics
As the logistics industry grappled with the dual challenges of efficiency and sustainability, Prodensus recognised that the logistics industry needed more innovative solutions for emissions reporting. Companies over a certain size in the EU are now required to report on their emissions, including indirect emissions from their supply chains, such as logistics and freight. This regulation is part of the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which aims to enhance transparency and accountability in corporate sustainability practices.
Prodensus designed its solution to set new standards for what is possible with AI and digital transformation.
“Our technology not only improves operational efficiency but also helps our clients measure their carbon footprint,” Frankie explained. “We are proud to support businesses in their sustainability efforts and contribute to a greener future. With our solution, if shipping companies have historic shipment files, they can simply drag and drop them into our tool. It will then clean the data and outline their CO2 spend in adherence with the GSRD framework.”
Prodensus’ clients have reported up to 30% cost savings and a 25% reduction in CO2 emissions, demonstrating the tangible benefits of their AI-driven solutions.
(Read more guidance on the directive from Prodensus here: What Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) means for your logistics organization in 2025).
Joining the thousands of Irish companies leveraging Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub
A pivotal moment in Prodensus’ growth was its participation in the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub programme, which provides startups with mentorship, resources, and advanced technology to scale their businesses. Prodensus claims this support from Microsoft gave them an extra competitive advantage.
Through this programme, Prodensus connected with industry experts, gained insights into best practices, and leveraged tools that helped the company refine its AI-driven technology and expand its market reach.
“The Founders Hub was invaluable,” Frankie shared. “It enabled us to experiment extensively, scale our cloud infrastructure quickly with Azure, and refine our solutions – all with expert guidance and support. Because we leveraged Microsoft from day one and because we’ve used all of the infrastructure and service that Azure has to offer, we get to move at higher speed as compared to legacy software solutions.”
Thousands of Irish startups are part of Founders Hub, and the number of those companies using Microsoft Azure OpenAI technology has increased tenfold in the past year. Founders Hub was launched in 2021 to accelerate innovation by providing access to resources to early-stage founders. Open to any startup, the platform provides access to leading AI models, Azure credits, free and discounted development tools, and expert guidance.
“Prodensus is exactly why Microsoft for Startups exists—to unlock transformative innovation from ecosystems like Ireland. Their solution combines sustainability with cost efficiency, exemplifying how technology and collaboration can drive industry-wide transformation,” said Hans Yang, General Manager at Microsoft for Startups.
Harnessing the Power of Microsoft Technology Across Solutions
Prodensus’ AI tool is built on Microsoft Azure OpenAI, which provides the scalability and reliability needed to handle large datasets and complex algorithms. “Microsoft Azure has been instrumental in our development process,” Frankie noted. “It offers the flexibility and power we need to run our AI models efficiently and effectively. We can process (analyse) 25,000 shipments in 5 minutes whereas traditionally this would take an analyst 1-2 weeks.”
In addition to Azure OpenAI, Prodensus has benefited from other Microsoft solutions, such as GitHub Enterprise for code management and Microsoft Teams for collaboration. These tools have streamlined Prodensus’ operations, enabling them to deliver a unified experience for their clients.
“The integration of Microsoft technology into our workflow has been seamless,” Frankie added. “It has allowed us to focus on what we do best – developing innovative solutions for our clients.”
Ireland as an Attractive Launchpad for Global Success
Being based in Ireland has provided Prodensus with a strong foundation for growth. With its vibrant tech community, access to top-tier talent, and government support, Ireland has been instrumental in their journey.
“Ireland offers a supportive ecosystem for startups,” Frankie explained. “It has been a perfect launchpad, enabling us to scale operations, build relationships with global clients, and establish ourselves as innovators in the logistics industry.”
Ireland’s strategic location, serving as a bridge between Europe and global markets, has also played a crucial role in Prodensus’ ability to expand internationally. By leveraging these advantages, Prodensus believes it is well-positioned to continue its trajectory of success and innovation in the competitive global marketplace.
“We are excited about the future and the opportunities that lie ahead,” said Frankie. “At Prodensus, we’re proud to lead this transformation, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with AI and Microsoft technology to help businesses thrive in an increasingly complex world.”
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