Revolutionizing Waste Management with Innovative Software Solutions
Hauler Hero Aims to Revolutionize Waste Management with Cloud-Based Software
After nearly four years of working in sales at tradesperson software company ServiceTitan, Mark Hoadley was looking for a change and potentially start something of his own in a similar industry. His brother-in-law and now co-founder, Ben Sikma, was working on M&A in the waste-management space at the time. When Sikma discovered how outdated many of the companies changing hands were, he realized that waste management might be exactly what Hoadley was looking for.
The Problem with Existing Software
"All of the existing software in the space are clunky and old," Hoadley told TechCrunch. "Sometimes we’d talk about how this one reminds us of the Oregon Trail, this reminds us of the cell phone Michael Douglas used in ‘Wall Street.’" The two co-founders realized that there was a need for modern, efficient software that could help waste management companies streamline their operations.
Launching Hauler Hero
Hoadley, now CEO, and Sikma, now president, launched Hauler Hero in 2020. The cloud-based software platform works with waste-management companies on everything from route planning and management to billing to a customer portal where companies’ underlying customers can request pickups. Hauler Hero’s software also taps AI to help automate some of these tasks like invoicing and route management to find inefficiencies and help companies save money.
Building Multiple Product Lines
Hoadley said the company specifically decided to build multiple product lines right out of the gate as opposed to just building route management or billing software with plans to expand later. He said that he watched ServiceTitan struggle to expand into recurring services (pest control) while he was there, and the company ended up having to buy an existing player to get it to work. "We wanted to make sure that we built this the right way from the beginning," Hoadley said.
Expansion and Growth
The company launched its platform in beta in 2022 and rolled out publicly in Q1 2024. Since then, it has amassed more than 120 residential and commercial waste-management customers across 40 states. It’s grown its revenue 200% in the past year.
Recent Funding Round
Hauler Hero is announcing that it raised $10 million in seed funding led by I2BF Ventures with participation from K5 Global and Somersault Ventures in addition to executives from companies like Gusto and ServiceTitan and some of Hauler Hero’s customers. The company plans to use the funds to hire more engineers and salespeople and to continue working on product development.
Future Plans
One area the company is working on, Hoadley said, is building up their products for larger enterprise customers that want better integrations with other systems. They’re also looking at expanding into new markets, such as recycling and composting.
Competitive Landscape
Hauler Hero is not the only player in the waste management software space. However, its focus on automation and AI sets it apart from more traditional providers. "We’re not just building a piece of software," Hoadley said. "We’re building a platform that can help companies transform their operations."
Market Potential
The global waste management market is projected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2025, making it one of the largest and fastest-growing industries in the world. With its modern approach and focus on efficiency, Hauler Hero is well-positioned to take advantage of this growth.
Conclusion
Hauler Hero’s success so far has been impressive, but it’s just the beginning for this cloud-based software platform. With a strong team, a solid product, and a growing market, Hauler Hero is poised to revolutionize the waste management industry.
