From Trucks to Talent: How VC-Backed Staffing Platforms Are Redefining Transportation & Logistics

[fs-toc-omit]Logistics isn’t just about trucks anymore—it’s about labor. 

The average consumer today expects instant delivery, white-glove moves, and flexible transport but the biggest constraint isn’t vehicle or software—it’s people. Who’s doing the work? How fast can new workers be onboarded? Can they scale in a matter of hours? 

The transportation and logistics sector is now defined by a complex web of gig platforms, electric vehicles, and AI-powered operations. But perhaps the biggest shift is in how work gets done. The unpredictable, seasonal nature of logistics has made flexible staffing not just a competitive advantage but a necessity. 

Staffing companies and gig platforms have become the connective tissue of the industry, enabling logistics providers to scale labor up and down in real time, tap into specialized talent pools, and meet surges in consumer demand—without the overhead of a massive full-time workforce. For workers, this means more control over schedules and opportunities; for employers, it’s a way to stay agile in a market where customer expectations are higher than ever. 

As the sector evolves, the distinction between 1099 and W-2 models is less about classification and more about operational agility. The most innovative platforms are building systems that flex with demand, maintain compliance at scale, and deliver a frictionless experience for both workers and clients.

Let’s break down the four key subcategories driving the logistics gig economy—Delivery, Last-Mile, Moving, and Rideshare—and explore how staffing companies are powering this new era of flexibility and growth.

At Zeal, we’re committed to mapping—and enabling—this transformation. Our ongoing research will continue to surface the trends, benchmarks, and best practices shaping the next era of staffing. Stay tuned.

Delivery: The Engine of Convenience 

On-demand is the default. Groceries, alcohol, last-minute essentials—consumers expect it all in minutes, not days. These staffing companies make this possible.

Companies like GoPuff and Getir have redefined fulfillment with micro-warehouses and lightning-fast dispatch. But it’s not just tech—it’s the labor network behind the scenes that enables real-time scale, localized coverage, and 24/7 availability.

Most of these platforms rely heavily on 1099 independent contractors—drivers who use their own vehicles, set their own schedules, and accept or decline gigs via app. This model offers platforms and staffing companies tremendous flexibility and scalability, especially during peak demand or in new markets. 

On the flip side, some staffing companies are experimenting with or shifting to a W-2 model, where workers are classified as employees rather than contractors. W-2 employees receive benefits, have taxes withheld, and are protected by labor laws, but this comes with higher costs and more compliance requirements for employers. For staffing companies, the choice between 1099 and W-2 models is more than just a legal distinction—it shapes everything from onboarding and compliance to worker retention and client relationships

These platforms thrive on labor elasticity. They spin up new markets, handle peak demand, and maintain service levels through deep staffing networks that can flex by zip code and shift.

In short, the delivery sector has become the engine of convenience, and the way companies classify and manage their workforce is central to how they compete and grow in this new era.

Key Companies: GoPuff, Getir, Instacart, Shipt, Favor, Saucey, Amazon Flex, Grubhub

Last-Mile Delivery: The Critical Link

Last-mile delivery is where logistics meets the customer, and today’s staffing companies are at the center of making that connection work. These companies are purpose-built for logistics, specializing in rapidly deploying vetted and specialized drivers, workers, and warehouse support. 

Staffing platforms here specialize in short-notice deployment of vetted drivers, loaders, and warehouse support. Whether it’s oversized furniture, business deliveries, or marketplace returns, these companies are built to flex with demand.

These companies offer both W-2 and 1099 work models, depending on the service, regulatory environment, and client need. The 1099 model gives retailers and logistics providers the ability to scale up quickly during peak times and in new markets, while the W-2 approach allows for more control and compliance—especially for services that require assembly, installation, or brand-sensitive customer interactions.

In short, modern last-mile logistics is as much about staffing agility as route optimization.

Key Companies: Dropoff, Veho, Point Pickup, Pickup, Better Trucks, Roadie, Frayt, Fetch, Jitsu, Dispatch, Eva Driver, Gofor, Skipcart, Curri

Moving Services: Flexibility for Modern Mobility 

The moving industry has undergone a seismic shift, thanks to a new generation of staffing companies that make relocating—or just moving a couch across town—more accessible, transparent, and customer-friendly than ever. 

These companies are defined and differentiated by their convenience and adaptability. Dolly and Lugg, for example, specialize in everything from apartment moves and store deliveries to junk removal and donation drop-offs, offering a range of vehicle sizes and labor options to fit the job. 

On the workforce side, most of these moving staffing companies rely on a 1099 contractor model, giving workers the flexibility to choose their gigs, set their schedules, and work across multiple platforms. This model enables rapid scaling during peak moving seasons or retail promotions, while also offering movers the autonomy and earning potential that traditional moving companies rarely provide.

Moving is no longer logistics infrastructure—it’s labor-as-a-service.

Key Companies: Lugg, Bellhop Inc, Dolly, Bungii, GoShare, CitizenShipper

Rideshare: Beyond the Commute 

The rideshare space has evolved beyond the Uber and Lyft model, with a new wave of staffing companies reimagining what on-demand transportation can look like. Companies in this category are carving out their own niche, redefining how drivers are recruited, onboarded, and paid. 

Alto ditched the gig model and rebuilt from scratch: W-2 drivers, branded SUVs, no surge pricing. Riders get consistency. The company gets control—over fleet, experience, and brand.

Kyte took the car rental process and inverted it. Drivers bring the rental car to you, eliminating counters and keys. Their labor model turns logistics into customer experience.

HopSkipDrive owns the most trust-sensitive segment of all: children. Their drivers pass rigorous background checks and training—not optional when you’re responsible for minors.

Jeevz turns personal chauffeurs into a membership-based utility. Cargomatic connects businesses with drivers for local freight, blending staffing with logistics.

This isn’t just rideshare. It’s staffing-as-a-service, built for motion.

Key companies: Kyte, Revel, Alto, Jeevz, HopSkipDrive, Cargomatic

What’s Next

This deep dive is just one part of our larger analysis covering 200+ VC-backed staffing companies across sectors — including healthcare, skilled trades, transportation, and professional services.

Stay tuned for:

• Full market maps by category
• Trend forecasts
• Lessons from successful staffing companies

Follow along as we explore the future of staffing — and the companies building it. 

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Check out our reports in Healthcare, Events, Retail, and Hospitality, and Skilled Trades and Industrial. Follow along as we map out the future of staffing — and the companies building it.

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