# High-Level Overview
Belli is an air cargo software company that builds enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems to digitize and modernize airline cargo operations.[1] Founded in 2024 and based in Singapore with operations in Spain, Belli addresses a critical inefficiency in global aviation: airlines operate with approximately 85% of cargo hold capacity unused due to reliance on outdated legacy systems.[2] The company serves airlines, freight forwarders, and shippers by automating manual cargo terminal processes, enabling real-time collaboration, and providing online booking and payment capabilities.[1][5] Despite being a newly founded startup, Belli has already gained traction with 20+ airlines globally and onboards a new customer each month.[5]
The timing for Belli's entry into this market is particularly significant given the economic importance of air cargo—while it represents only 1% of global trade by volume, it accounts for 35% of global trade by value.[2] This massive value concentration in an underserved, technology-poor sector creates substantial opportunity for a modern software solution.
# Origin Story
Belli was founded in 2024 by Jeff Pan and Alex Khor, former consultants with deep expertise in airline cargo technology.[2] Both founders previously led software engineering teams at major technology companies—Pan and Khor worked at Booking.com, SpaceX, and Teleport (AirAsia's cargo division).[2] This background gave them firsthand exposure to the operational pain points plaguing the air cargo industry and the technical capability to build a solution.
The company gained early validation by winning the grand prize of €330,000 at the FutureTravel Summit 2024 in Barcelona on November 28, 2024, in a technology startup competition sponsored by Google Cloud, Simpleshow, and other major partners.[2][3] This award positioned Belli alongside other venture-backed cargo tech companies like cargo.one and WebCargo.[2]
# Core Differentiators
- End-to-end automation: Belli replaces legacy systems with modern software that automates manual processes across cargo terminals, directly addressing the industry's operational inefficiencies.[2]
- Founder expertise: The founding team brings hands-on experience from leading engineering teams at world-class technology companies (Booking.com, SpaceX) combined with direct cargo industry knowledge from Teleport.[2]
- Rapid customer adoption: The company has achieved 20+ airline customers within its first year of operation, with monthly new customer additions, suggesting strong product-market fit.[5]
- Integrated platform: Beyond core cargo management, Belli offers online booking and payment capabilities for shippers and freight forwarders, plus integration with distribution and operations products—creating a more comprehensive solution than point tools.[1]
# Role in the Broader Tech Landscape
Belli operates at the intersection of two powerful trends: digital transformation of legacy industries and supply chain modernization. The air cargo sector has historically resisted technological disruption due to complex regulatory requirements, entrenched legacy systems, and the capital intensity of airline operations. However, the sector's massive value concentration (35% of trade value) combined with obvious operational waste (85% empty cargo holds) creates compelling economics for software-driven efficiency gains.
Belli is part of a broader wave of logistics and supply chain tech companies addressing digitization gaps.[1] The company's inclusion in CB Insights' Supply Chain & Logistics Tech and Artificial Intelligence expert collections reflects its positioning within the growing ecosystem of AI-driven operational automation tools.[1] As airlines face pressure to improve profitability and sustainability, software solutions that unlock cargo capacity without capital expenditure become increasingly attractive.
# Quick Take & Future Outlook
Belli is well-positioned to capture significant market share in a fragmented, underserved industry with clear unit economics. The founders' pedigree, early customer traction, and validation from prestigious competitions suggest the company has identified a genuine market need with a viable solution.
The key challenges ahead will be scaling customer acquisition across global airlines with varying legacy system architectures, navigating regulatory complexity in international aviation, and potentially expanding beyond cargo management into adjacent airline operations. If Belli successfully executes on its current trajectory—adding one airline customer monthly—it could establish itself as the category leader in modern air cargo software within 2-3 years, potentially attracting Series A funding to accelerate growth and geographic expansion.