Oh this is one I can answer. I was the co-founder of Prosper an early p2p lending company. Your problem is a relatively easy one.
Go find one or two companies with a lot of packages. Focus on delivering packages whose delivery time is not critical (say 7 days) and whose registered value is low (say $500 or less). Focus on deliveries that are just outside of ubers practical range (say LA to SFO).
Find a bunch of uber drivers who are already reliable. Over pay them to make runs. If they screw it up have them drop the package off at a ups store and over night it as a catch all.
Do 1,000 packages to get your logistics worked out. Don't market or launch or promote until you have it nailed.
Then find 10 more companies with lots of packages. Your goal is to develop profitable routes (e.g. 5 packages per car) and customers who are delivering 1000s of packages a month.
Your pmf is about reliably servicing one geographic region at a time like yelp and LinkedIn did.
Do not try and roll out a national service day one.
Do not focus on people shipping packages. Not enough repeat business.
Do not take high stakes runs day one.
One big advantage is your ability to do small heavy objects. Ups and FedEx are very weight sensitive.
Go find one or two companies with a lot of packages. Focus on delivering packages whose delivery time is not critical (say 7 days) and whose registered value is low (say $500 or less). Focus on deliveries that are just outside of ubers practical range (say LA to SFO).
Find a bunch of uber drivers who are already reliable. Over pay them to make runs. If they screw it up have them drop the package off at a ups store and over night it as a catch all.
Do 1,000 packages to get your logistics worked out. Don't market or launch or promote until you have it nailed.
Then find 10 more companies with lots of packages. Your goal is to develop profitable routes (e.g. 5 packages per car) and customers who are delivering 1000s of packages a month.
Your pmf is about reliably servicing one geographic region at a time like yelp and LinkedIn did.
Do not try and roll out a national service day one.
Do not focus on people shipping packages. Not enough repeat business.
Do not take high stakes runs day one.
One big advantage is your ability to do small heavy objects. Ups and FedEx are very weight sensitive.