CargoX, a United Arab Emirates–based autonomous logistics platform, has raised $250 million from an investor group led by BlueFive Capital, marking one of the region’s largest bets on driverless delivery infrastructure.
The company also named former Talabat Chief Executive Officer Tomaso Rodriguez as CEO, signaling ambitions to rapidly scale operations in a sector poised for disruption. Rodriguez led Talabat through a period of explosive growth, expanding the food delivery platform more than ninefold and overseeing its $2 billion initial public offering in 2024.
CargoX develops and deploys driverless vehicles across last-mile, middle-mile and long-haul delivery routes. Its technology has already been piloted on public roads in the UAE, with commercial rollout expected soon in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The startup has secured early partnerships with major e-commerce, retail and logistics operators, alongside regulatory engagement with key authorities including Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority and Abu Dhabi Mobility—critical approvals in a region positioning itself as a global hub for autonomous transport.
“The Middle East is ready for a step change in logistics efficiency, and autonomous delivery is no longer a future concept; it is happening today,” Rodriguez said. “With $250 million in funding, we now have the firepower to scale—starting in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, then globally.”
The fresh capital will be used to expand CargoX’s autonomous fleet and logistics network across the UAE and into international markets, while deepening investment in vehicle technology, operational infrastructure and strategic partnerships.
The raise underscores growing investor appetite for automation in supply chains, particularly in the Gulf, where governments are actively backing smart mobility initiatives as part of broader economic diversification strategies.
BlueFive Capital, the lead investor, manages about $15 billion in assets and operates across major financial centers including Abu Dhabi, London, Riyadh, Singapore and Beijing. The firm has been increasing exposure to infrastructure and technology platforms positioned to benefit from shifts in global trade and logistics.
CargoX’s expansion comes as competition intensifies in autonomous delivery, with global players racing to commercialize driverless logistics at scale. The UAE’s supportive regulatory environment and advanced urban infrastructure could give regional operators an early edge in deployment.
If successful, CargoX’s model could redefine delivery economics in dense urban corridors and long-haul freight alike—cutting costs, improving efficiency and addressing persistent labor constraints across supply chains.