BoxKnight, the Montreal startup that decided to take on the giant Amazon

The URelles team was present at the Founder Fuel incubator demo day. We met Maya Botti, co-founder of BoxKnight, a same-day delivery startup. Part of the 2019 cohort, she has decided to take on the giant Amazon. Interview.

Where did the idea for BoxKnight come from?

Maya Botti: BoxKnight was born out of frustration. When we were still students, we were always missing deliveries of our online purchases.

Not only did we have to wait several days for delivery, but very often we had to go to a pick-up point to collect the parcel delivered in our absence. Delivery windows are not always updated with the customer. Sometimes this results in situations where we stay at home for hours, waiting, and still miss the delivery. I once went as far as Mirabel to pick up a parcel! Our other motivation comes from the fact that we want to offer a same-day delivery service to local businesses, which would enable them to compete more effectively with Amazon.

How does it work?

Maya Botti: Like Uber, we have delivery drivers to distribute the purchases of the businesses that do business with us. When a customer places an order online and is in our current delivery zone (i.e. Montreal, Laval and the South Shore of Montreal), they are offered the option of delivery by Boxknight. The customer then selects his or her delivery time slot. Our system, thanks to artificial intelligence, will add the delivery point to our driver’s route, optimizing his itinerary as deliveries and pick-ups are added to his day.

How did you decide to go into business?

Maya Botti: My father is an entrepreneur. This aspect has always been part of me. I always knew I’d eventually become an entrepreneur myself. My background is in mechanical engineering and law. These two degrees help me to solve the problems I encounter in my work. It’s really the desire to solve BoxKnight’s problems that makes me passionate about what I do every day.

Is there a notion of social impact in your company?

Maya Botti: Yes, we want to help retailers who don’t have the same resources as giants like Amazon. They are currently at a huge disadvantage when it comes to delivery offers. Their costs are high because of their low volumes, and they often have to make deliveries themselves to try and save as much as possible. It’s important to offer an alternative to change the current world when you find it unfair.

You’re part of FounderFuel’s 2019 cohort. What did the incubator bring you?

Maya Botti: We understood the possibility and necessity of being focused on the business. We started out doing everything ourselves, but thanks to the incubator and the funds invested, we were able to hire people to help us. Above all, we’ve met some incredible people we’d never have had access to. It was an opportunity that enabled us to completely optimize and transform our business project.

How do you manage to take your place as a woman in a tech startup, what’s more?

Maya Botti: It’s something I think about a lot. Early on in my career, I was often the only woman in class, in the lab or at work. I’m aware that not all women have access to entrepreneurship. That said, I sincerely hope to be part of this societal change and see more and more women involved. A mixed entrepreneurial team is a real opportunity to respond more quickly and creatively to problems, because diversity offers more prospects for solutions.