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The People-First Approach to Funding the Future of Logistics with Michael Sachaj

Release Date: 05/06/2025

The People-First Approach to Funding the Future of Logistics with Michael Sachaj

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

and discuss the people-first approach to the future of logistics. Michael is a Partner at Hyde Park Angels (HPA), a leading early-stage investor based in Chicago. About Michael Sachaj is a Partner at HPA and manages and supports HPA’s investment opportunities through their lifecycle. Michael has led investment in a number of HPA’s top performing investments including ShipBob, FourKites, Paccurate, and Digit. Prior to joining HPA in 2013, Michael attended Northwestern University and worked at strategy consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton supporting various government clients in the...

Tech-Driven Drayage: A PortPro Perspective with Corey Abbott

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

and discuss tech-driven drayage: a PortPro perspective. Corey is the Chief Growth Officer and his team lead enterprise initiatives at PortPro, an innovative technology company that keeps the drayage industry moving efficiently with its operating platform built for drayage trucking companies, brokerages, and those that do both. About Corey Abbott , Chief Growth Officer and his team lead enterprise initiatives at PortPro, focusing on developing comprehensive products designed to enhance the customer experience, guided by their needs and feedback. Corey spent over a decade at STG Logistics, the...

Carrier Sales Teams Are Being Run the Wrong Way with Brent Evens

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

and discuss how carrier sales teams are being run the wrong way. Brent is the Co-founder of NextBoard, a carrier sales platform purpose-built for freight brokerages. About Brent Evens is the Co-founder of NextBoard, a freight tech startup helping brokers streamline carrier sales and build stronger, more efficient networks. He brings a diverse background in logistics, SaaS, and product strategy—including time at Delta Air Lines, where he worked on digital product initiatives that improved customer experience and operational performance. Before launching NextBoard, Brent also held...

Blind Spots & Bottlenecks: Unmasking the Hidden Enemies of Supply Chain with Briana Birkholz

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

and discuss blind spots & bottlenecks: unmasking the hidden enemies of supply chain. Briana is the Vice President of Product Management for the 3PL market segment at SPS Commerce, the world’s leading retail network, connecting trading partners around the globe to optimize supply chain operations for all retail partners. About Briana Birkholz is the Vice President of Product Management for the 3PL market segment at SPS Commerce. With a passion for overcoming supply chain and logistics challenges, Briana is committed to addressing the distinct needs of customers through comprehensive,...

The Strategic COO: Navigating Disruption and Driving Change with Suketu Gandhi

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

and discuss the strategic COO: navigating disruption and driving change. Suketu is a partner and global chair for the Strategic Operations Practice at Kearney, a leading management consulting firm. About Suketu Ghandi is a partner and global chair for the Strategic Operations Practice at Kearney, a leading management consulting firm. Based in Chicago, his expertise covers a wide range of operations topics, with an emphasis on end-to-end supply chains and their redesign for four critical purposes, growth, cost, resilience, and sustainability. Noting that the key to maximizing their...

Unpacking Cargo Theft: Trends and Solutions with Danielle Spinelli

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

and discuss unpacking cargo theft: trends and solutions. Danielle serves as Account Executive at Descartes MyCarrierPortal, the leading solution for carrier identity, onboarding, and monitoring in transportation. About Danielle Spinelli is an Account Executive at Descartes MyCarrierPortal. With a decade of experience in the logistics and transportation industry, Danielle brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in carrier sales and vetting. Having worked as a Carrier Sales Broker for 8 years, Danielle honed a deep understanding of the supply chain and transportation landscape, building...

REPOST: Booking More Loads Using AI with Anthony Sutardja

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

and discuss booking more loads using AI. Anthony is the CEO and co-founder of , the leading truckload capacity management platform for freight brokers. About Anthony Sutardja As CEO & co-founder of Parade, leads product vision and strategy to enable logistics service providers to work smarter and faster with modern tools. His background in artificial intelligence, big data processing, and freight brokerage enables companies partnering with Parade to accelerate digital transformation by innovating with the status quo. Prior to , Anthony worked on a small team at Uber...

Beyond The Rails and Roads: The State of Intermodal with Anne Reinke

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

and discuss beyond the rails and roads: the state of intermodal. Anne is the President & CEO at the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA), North America's leading industry trade association representing the combined interests of the intermodal freight industry. About Anne Reinke became the Intermodal Association of North America’s third President & CEO in December of 2024. Immediately preceding her appointment at IANA, Anne was President & CEO of the Transportation Intermediaries Association for four years. Anne has a long career in transportation policy,...

Stop Selling, Start Influencing: Tom Augenthaler's Logistics Marketing Gameplan

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

and discuss stop selling, start influencing: Tom Augenthaler's logistics marketing gameplan. Tom helps companies tell stories that make the customer the hero. Having customers and influencers talk positively about your company is one of the best ways to attract and win new business. About Tom Augenthaler is the Founder and CEO of . On the website, shares his ideas and knowledge of influencer marketing with others looking to learn about this powerful strategy. is a pioneer in the space and has been working with influencers since 2007 while with Hewlett Packard, and as a consultant...

REPOST: The Right Tech Stack for Brokers with Dave Romanchuk

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

and discuss the right tech stack for brokers. Dave is the Director of Product Management at Revenova, the industry's exclusive provider of CRM-powered transportation management systems (TMS) for freight brokers, 3PL/4PLs, carriers and shippers. About Dave Romanchuk is the Director of Product Management at Revenova. Since joining the TMS provider in 2017, Dave has helped the company grow from fewer than 10 employees to more than 60. With Dave's vision and leadership, Revenova TMS has built out multiple modules for freight brokers and carriers, most recently the completely renovated Fleet...

More Episodes

Michael Sachaj and Joe Lynch discuss the people-first approach to the future of logistics. Michael is a Partner at Hyde Park Angels (HPA), a leading early-stage investor based in Chicago.

About Michael Sachaj

Michael Sachaj is a Partner at HPA and manages and supports HPA’s investment opportunities through their lifecycle. Michael has led investment in a number of HPA’s top performing investments including ShipBob, FourKites, Paccurate, and Digit. Prior to joining HPA in 2013, Michael attended Northwestern University and worked at strategy consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton supporting various government clients in the Pentagon. Michael is an avid sneakerhead, new dad, and fluent in Polish.

About HPA

Hyde Park Angels (HPA) is a leading early-stage investor based in Chicago. HPA's People First model leverages world-class operating expertise, a powerful business network, and venture capital to fuel startup success. HPA’s extensive network of 150+ members—comprising entrepreneurs, executives, and venture capitalists—provides strategic value to entrepreneurs by offering expertise and connections to foster growth and innovation.

Key Takeaways: The People-First Approach to Funding the Future of Logistics

Michael Sachaj and Joe Lynch discuss the people-first approach to the future of logistics.
Michael is a Partner at Hyde Park Angels (HPA), a leading early-stage investor based in Chicago.
Hyde Park Angels (HPA) is a prominent early-stage investment group based in Chicago, known for its people-first approach to investing. Despite its successes, HPA faces several challenges inherent to the dynamic landscape of early-stage venture capital:
Navigating a Competitive Investment Landscape: The early-stage funding market in Chicago is increasingly competitive, making it challenging for HPA to attract top-tier portfolio companies. To address this, HPA has invested in enhancing its brand and expanding its network of experienced investors, aiming to offer not just capital but also valuable industry connections to entrepreneurs.
Balancing Financial and Human Capital: HPA emphasizes providing both financial support and strategic expertise to startups. However, ensuring that each entrepreneur receives tailored guidance from members with relevant industry experience requires careful coordination and resource allocation.
Adapting to Structural and Legal Complexities: Investing in startups often involves navigating complex legal and structural changes, such as transitioning companies from LLCs to C corporations. These processes demand meticulous planning to manage tax implications and equity structures effectively, posing a challenge for both HPA and the companies they invest in.
These are some solutions and advantages of Hyde Park Angels (HPA) in navigating the early-stage investment landscape:
People-First Investment Philosophy: HPA stands out by prioritizing relationships over transactions. By aligning investors who bring deep operational and industry experience with entrepreneurs, HPA creates a mentorship-driven ecosystem that goes beyond capital—turning passive funding into strategic partnership. This approach builds long-term value and attracts high-quality startups.
Robust Midwest Deal Flow and Ecosystem Ties: Located in Chicago, HPA leverages its geographic advantage to tap into the Midwest’s growing startup ecosystem. With strong ties to local universities, accelerators, and business leaders, HPA gains early access to promising ventures often overlooked by coastal VCs, giving it a unique sourcing edge.
Collaborative Investment Model: HPA operates as a syndicate-style angel group, enabling members to invest alongside each other based on interest and expertise. This flexible model allows for greater diversity in deal participation, minimizes risk exposure per investor, and fosters a collaborative environment where startups benefit from a wide range of insights and networks.