The global merchandise trade volume is forecast to grow 2.4% in 2025. But the 2026 forecast was cut to 0.5% amid tariff uncertainty and a weaker macro trajectory.

Further, total seaborne trade is forecast to grow 2.5% in 2026 and 2.4% in 2027. Containerized trade is expected to reach 2.9% in 2026.

Supply Chain Market Forecast and Growth Projections

The supply chain management market is predicted to reach USD 58.42 billion by 2030. It will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7% between 2025 and 2030.

 

 

Also, companies are using AI in operations and supply chains. As per the PwC 2025 Digital Trends in Operations Survey, 57% of respondents mentioned they have integrated AI partially or fully into their operations.

 

Credit: PwC

 

McKinsey’s 2024 supply chain risk survey shows that 9 in 10 supply chain leaders reported at least one serious challenge in 2024. Moreover, the most common structural response is diversification. 73% report progress on dual-sourcing, while 60% are actively regionalizing supply chains (nearshoring/friendshoring) to reduce exposure to trade and geopolitical shocks.

Further, only 10% of surveyed companies report they have completed advanced planning system (APS) deployments, while 90% say they lack sufficient talent to execute supply chain digitization.

 

 

Emerging Supply Chain Management Companies to Watch

Idunity offers Blockchain Supply Chain Transparency

Spanish startup Idunity develops a blockchain-based supply chain transparency platform that assigns digital identities to physical products and verifies their origin, movement, and ethical attributes.

It generates blockchain-based product tokens, connects them to QR or NFC tags, and records each supply chain event on a permissioned Hyperledger Fabric network.

The startup’s platform supports batch tracking, multi-stakeholder supply chain mapping, and cryptographic authenticity verification with immutable enterprise records.

In addition, it integrates with existing systems via APIs and dashboards, while aligning with global blockchain standards and private, multi-channel data architectures.

Innovix Robotics manufactures Industrial Logistics Robots

Chinese startup Innovix Robotics builds intralogistics robotics systems that automate material transport, storage, and handling in industrial and warehouse environments.

It offers automated guided vehicles (AGVs), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), autonomous forklifts, shuttles, and collaborative robots. The startup combines its offerings with laser, vision, LiDAR, QR, and inertial navigation technologies to achieve precise movement and positioning.

Its product portfolio supports varied payloads, high-load operations, vertical storage optimization, and obstacle avoidance while maintaining accuracy in dynamic facilities.

Besides, the startup provides software to manage robot scheduling, multi-machine cluster control, and warehouse operations to align automation with workflows.

Evolinq makes AI Procurement Agents

Israeli startup Evolinq creates an AI-powered procurement automation platform that uses autonomous AI agents to manage supplier communication and procurement workflows.

It mimics buyer activities, monitors purchase orders and supplier relationships in real time, and generates alerts and analytics without complex ERP integrations.

The startup’s platform provides supply chain visibility, real-time risk detection, and data-driven insights into supplier performance, pricing, delivery, and compliance.

It also deploys in one day and works with existing procedures, while suppliers continue using familiar communication channels.

Evolinq supports procurement operations in EMS and semiconductor, aerospace and defense, retail and consumer packaged goods, automotive, healthcare, and heavy industry sectors.

DeliverEarly provides Intelligent Purchase Order Management

US-based startup DeliverEarly offers a supply chain and purchase order management platform that provides visibility into manufacturing and delivery.

It digitizes purchase orders, automates tasks, and connects teams with integrated messaging, file management, and real-time progress tracking.

The startup’s platform uses customizable workflow engines, AI-based purchase order summarization, and risk algorithms that analyze historical and live data to identify delays early.

DeliverEarly allows teams to replace manual coordination, anticipate disruptions, and maintain control over all stages of product development and fulfillment.

Sendit enables 3PL Supply Chain Management

Pakistani startup Sendit makes a digital third-party logistics management platform that unifies shipment coordination, online bidding, and supply chain visibility.

It connects shippers, carriers, drivers, manufacturers, and warehouses via web and mobile interfaces. This is supported by API-based integrations for data exchange.

The platform includes online bidding for logistical services, real-time tracking, security and insurance coverage, multilingual support, help booths, and automated workflows. These features improve efficiency and coordination across logistics operations.

Besides, Sendit emphasizes theft protection, operational transparency, and sustainability by supporting ESG-aligned practices, such as using zero-emission cars.

Key Innovation Themes in Supply Chain Management

GlobalData shows 987 supply chain management-related patents published between 2002 and 2022. Also, Walmart holds the largest number of patents in the global transportation, infrastructure, and logistics sector.

 

Credit: GlobalData

 

This steady patent activity reflects sustained innovation in digital logistics capabilities, which translates into commercial deployment trends such as supply chain visibility and real-time coordination platforms.

 

 

Supply Chain Visibility

This remains a key trend, with 4500 companies active in tracking, monitoring, and real-time data integration. The segment employs about 1.1 million people and hired 195+ employees in the last year.

The trend grows at an annual rate of 2.44%, driven by the adoption of analytics, the internet of things (IoT), and platform-based coordination tools.

Supply Chain Automation

This domain includes over 1400 companies focused on robotics, warehouse automation, and process digitalization. The segment includes a workforce of 145 100+ people and added 60+ new workers in the last year.

Further, the trend has an annual growth rate of 7.34%. The expansion is driven by cost optimization and efficiency needs in logistics and fulfillment operations.

Sustainable Supply Chain Management

This segment involves over 5300 companies working on emissions tracking, responsible sourcing, and compliance reporting. The segment also employs 996 200 people and added 185+ new employees in the last year.

Also, the annual trend growth rate of sustainable supply chain management is 3.44%. The developments are influenced by regulatory requirements and corporate commitments to responsible supply chains.

Investment and Capital Activity in Supply Chains

On a broader level, Kearney reports that the investments in supply chain firms and technologies represent 15-20% of total venture capital investments.

 

Credit: Kearney

 

Global investment in supply chain management (SCM) has slowed from the 2021 peak but remains active, with capital concentrating in AI software, supply‑chain‑as‑a‑service, and resilience/visibility platforms.

Supply‑chain and logistics tech startups raised about USD 28 billion in 2021. By 2023, funding decreased to roughly USD 2.9 billion, a drop of nearly 90%.

Equity capital invested in logistics & supply‑chain technology rebounded 35.5% year‑over‑year in 2024 and was up 84.4% YTD in 2025, with USD 4.5 billion invested by mid‑2025.

How We Scoped the Market

This supply chain management outlook is built on proprietary intelligence from the StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, which tracks 9M+ companies, 25K+ technologies and trends, and 190M+ patents, news articles, and market reports.

Rather than treating supply chains as a broad logistics category, the scope of this analysis is architecture-driven and execution-focused. It examines the full operating stack, from demand forecasting systems, procurement automation, and control tower platforms to warehouse robotics, freight orchestration, trade compliance, and sustainability reporting layers.