Carpool Logistics is a Venture Atlanta alumnus and a standout Venture Atlanta startup success story, building a high-growth vehicle logistics technology platform in the Southeast. After they pitched at Venture Atlanta in 2022, the company increased its visibility among investors, strengthened its market positioning, and scaled its car transport logistics platform nationwide.
For founders and investors keeping track of startups that pitched at Venture Atlanta, Carpool Logistics represents what happens when a clear problem, strong execution, and the right platform converge.
How Venture Atlanta Helped Carpool Logistics Grow
Becoming a Venture Atlanta startup success story created a catalyst for change for Carpool Logistics.
1. Increased Investor Visibility
The Venture Atlanta stage connected the company with institutional investors at a critical growth stage.
2. Stronger Market Credibility
Being selected as a Venture Atlanta pitch company reinforced Carpool’s position as a serious, venture-backed technology platform.
3. Expanded National Reach
While rooted in the Atlanta startups ecosystem, Venture Atlanta amplified Carpool’s visibility beyond the region, introducing the company to a broader network of founders, operators, and capital partners.
How Carpool Logistics Found Venture Atlanta
The journey to becoming a Venture Atlanta alumni company started long before Carpool Logistics existed.
Founder & CEO Michael Malakhov first encountered Venture Atlanta in 2013 while studying at Emory’s Goizueta Business School. Sitting in the audience, he told himself he wanted to be on that stage one day. It took 12 years, a graduate degree, and a company—but he made it back.
A decade later, he returned—not as an attendee, but as a Venture Atlanta pitch company.
As an Atlanta logistics startup, Carpool Logistics was deeply embedded in the local ecosystem:
- Built within the Atlanta Tech Village startup community
- Supported by early-stage investors and mentors
- Continuously refining its story through local pitch opportunities
By 2022, the company had the traction, narrative, and execution to earn a spot on the Venture Atlanta stage.
Preparing to Pitch at Venture Atlanta
A strong pitch isn't about features; it's about framing. Carpool Logistics understood this, and it made all the difference.
Rather than walking investors through product functionality, the team zeroed in on what actually moves the needle in a pitch:
- Naming the inefficiency clearly: Articulate the specific, costly gaps in your industry.
- Establishing market urgency: Communicate the size of the problem and why solving it matters now.
- Letting traction do the talking: Back the story with growth metrics and operational proof points.
- Skip the screenshots: Investors on stage aren't reading UI. They want problem, solution, competition, team, and raise amount.
- Aim for the next meeting, not the close: A three-minute pitch is designed to earn a 30-minute follow-up conversation, not close a deal.
This created a pitch that positioned Carpool Logistics as infrastructure, not just another transactional broker. That distinction is the kind of clarity investors remember.
Venture Atlanta advisors pushed the team to simplify, sharpen their differentiation, and cut anything that diluted the core message. And repeated exposure through the Atlanta Tech Village startup community built the confidence and discipline to deliver under pressure.
"You're getting so much more than just pitching on stage for three minutes."
— Allison Eman, CEO, Venture Atlanta
Carpool Logistics proved the best pitches reframe how investors see the problem and who's best positioned to solve it.
Need help crafting a pitch that stands out? Read these tips for pitching to investors.
A Founder’s Advice For Entrepreneurs
Michael Malakhov, Founder & CEO of Carpool Logistics, had one distinct piece of advice to offer founders going into their next pitch.
“Lead with the problem, not the product. Investors back structural change and measurable execution.”
— Michael Malakhov, Founder & CEO, Carpool Logistics
Here are his key takeaways for founders:
- Define the category you’re building, not just the product
- Prove execution with metrics instead of feature lists
- Treat conferences as long-term leverage
- Follow up and build relationships intentionally
For founders navigating the Atlanta startups ecosystem, this approach turns exposure into momentum.
About Carpool Logistics
Carpool Logistics is a vehicle logistics technology company that simplifies how cars move across the supply chain.
The traditional process—moving vehicles from auctions, dealerships, or manufacturers—is fragmented, manual, and unpredictable. Carpool replaces that with a centralized car transport logistics platform that:
- Connects shippers with vetted transporters
- Tracks vehicles in real time
- Digitizes pricing, dispatching, and documentation
The result: a system that turns vehicle transport into a predictable, scalable infrastructure layer rather than a series of disconnected transactions.
About Venture Atlanta
Venture Atlanta is the #1 venture capital conference in the Southeast, connecting founders and funders in the tech startup ecosystem. With over $8.8B raised, 1,000+ alumni companies, and over 1,600 attendees each year, this is THE place to be if you are interested in what’s going on in the Southeast’s startup community.
If your company is looking to get in front of 450+ investors, apply to pitch at this year’s conference. Applications open in May!
Learn More About Carpool Logistics’ Story
Watch Michael and Allyson discuss Carpool Logistics’ journey and how a single pitch can open endless opportunities for growth.
Watch the Podcast Episode
Expand to See Transcript
Host:
Hello everyone, and thank you for joining another episode of the Talent Pieces Podcast. Today, I’m joined by Allyson Eman, CEO of Venture Atlanta, and Michael Malikov, CEO of Carpool Logistics. It’s a pleasure to have you both here.
Allyson:
Thank you so much.
Michael:
Thanks for having us.
Host:
Allyson, we had you on last year to talk about Venture Atlanta, and today we’re excited to hear updates for this year. We’re also looking forward to Michael’s perspective as an alumni founder—your firsthand experience and what comes out of being part of Venture Atlanta.
Let’s start with you, Michael. Can you take us back to how you first heard about Venture Atlanta and what made you apply?
Michael:
Sure. I have an interesting story. I was in grad school at Emory, and one of our trips was to Venture Atlanta to watch founders pitch their companies. I remember thinking it was the most incredible thing I’d ever seen. I told myself, “I want to be on that stage one day.”
That was my first impression of Atlanta—and it’s amazing to come full circle and say I’ve actually done it.
Host:
Wow. That’s a great full-circle moment. Was this before starting Carpool Logistics?
Michael:
Way before—about 12 years before.
Host:
That’s incredible. I love that story.
A lot of founders feel like their business isn’t quite “ready” yet. What advice would you give to those thinking about applying for the first time?
Michael:
Just get out there. Building a business is all about iteration and constant improvement. It doesn’t have to be perfect—just tell your story. You’ll refine it over time.
Allyson:
I love that perspective. I’ll add that many founders—especially women—often wait for everything to be perfect. But I completely agree: just put yourself out there. You’ll be amazed at what happens.
Host:
Absolutely. We need more people going for it.
Michael, can you walk us through the application process and how you prepared?
Michael:
It’s actually pretty straightforward. You outline who you are, the problem you’re solving, and some traction metrics. Then you build your pitch around why your company exists.
Venture Atlanta was very supportive—we went through multiple iterations with feedback to tighten our pitch. Since you only have a few minutes on stage, your story has to be concise and clear.
One common mistake is not practicing timing. Three minutes goes by very quickly.
Host:
That’s a great point.
Allyson:
Once you’re selected, you get two rounds of coaching. I’ve sat through almost every session over the past 18 years, and I can confidently say every company learns something that improves their business.
You’re getting much more than just stage time—you’re getting guidance, exposure, and meaningful feedback.
Host:
That’s huge.
What would you say to founders who are on the fence about applying?
Allyson:
There’s really no downside—it’s a win-win. It’s not just about raising money; it’s about starting conversations and building your ecosystem. You can’t build a company alone.
And it’s free. Let me emphasize that—free. You get exposure to hundreds of investors and industry leaders.
Michael:
And it’s not just about fundraising. It’s about building relationships and starting a dialogue. Every time we’ve raised capital, it’s been supported by relationships we built early on—many of them started at Venture Atlanta.
Host:
That’s powerful.
What should founders expect when it comes to networking and post-event momentum?
Michael:
It’s all about relationships. Venture Atlanta helps you make initial connections, but it’s the follow-up that matters. Over time, those relationships compound.
We even add new contacts to our newsletter to keep them updated. You never know who might connect you to the right opportunity.
Allyson:
Exactly. Founders sometimes expect investors to line up immediately after their pitch—but that’s not usually how it works. It takes time. You’re planting seeds.
That said, there are exceptions—but the real value is in long-term relationship building.
Host:
Makes sense.
Switching gears a bit—how important is building the right team as you scale?
Michael:
It’s everything. Execution comes from the team. Investors don’t just look at the idea—they look at whether you have the right people to make it happen.
As we grew, we focused on building out leadership roles and leveraging our network for referrals and hiring.
Allyson:
And from our side, when selecting companies, we absolutely look at the team. It’s a key factor.
Host:
Before we wrap up, any final advice for founders applying this year?
Allyson:
Yes—don’t wait until the last day to apply. The deadline is August 8th, and most applications come in at the last minute. Give yourself time and reach out to the selection committee for feedback—they’re happy to help.
Michael:
And again, just take advantage of the opportunity. It’s one of the best ways to get your name out there and build your network.
Allyson:
Even if you’re not raising capital, come anyway. You’ll learn a lot and make valuable connections.
Host:
Fantastic. Allyson, Michael—thank you both for your time. This has been incredibly valuable.
Allyson:
Thank you.
Michael:
Thanks for having us.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Carpool Logistics get started?
Carpool Logistics was founded by Michael Malakhov, Eric Morris, Joe Norton, and Terrence Jackson after identifying inefficiencies in vehicle transport. The company gained early momentum in the Atlanta Tech Village startup community, where it refined its platform and growth strategy.
What problem does Carpool Logistics solve?
Carpool Logistics solves the lack of visibility and efficiency in vehicle transport by offering a centralized car transport logistics platform that digitizes tracking, pricing, and dispatching.
When did Carpool Logistics pitch at Venture Atlanta?
Carpool Logistics pitched at Venture Atlanta in 2022, becoming part of the Venture Atlanta alumni network.
How did Venture Atlanta help Carpool Logistics?
Venture Atlanta increased Carpool’s investor visibility, strengthened credibility, and expanded its reach beyond the Atlanta startup ecosystem.
Who founded Carpool Logistics?
Carpool Logistics was founded by Michael Malakhov, Eric Morris, Joe Norton, and Terrence Jackson.
What advice does Carpool Logistics give to founders raising capital?
Focus on the problem, not the product. Investors prioritize clear market need, strong execution, and measurable growth over feature lists.
