Dave Clark, a former Amazon executive and short-lived CEO of Flexport, has launched a new startup called Auger. The company aims to streamline supply chains by integrating various “Franken-software” systems into a single platform. Clark spent 23 years at Amazon, where he played a key role in developing the company’s extensive logistics network.
He joined Amazon’s operations division in 1999 and quickly climbed the ranks. In 2020, he took over Amazon’s core retail business after the departure of longtime executive Jeff Wilke. In 2022, Clark left Amazon to join Flexport, hoping to bring his supply chain expertise to small and medium-sized businesses worldwide.
However, his tenure at Flexport was short and turbulent. In September 2023, he resigned as CEO, making way for the return of founder Ryan Petersen. Petersen claimed that Clark overspent and overhired during his time at the company.
Clark’s new supply chain startup
After leaving Flexport, Clark identified a need for integrated supply chain tools, which led to the creation of Auger. The company’s name reflects its goal of solving complex supply chain issues, much like a drilling tool’s ability to penetrate and go deep.
“A shocking amount of supply chain still runs on Excel,” Clark said. He stressed the importance of a platform that allows companies to manage their supply chains with the same level of simplicity and intuitiveness as consumer applications. Auger, based in Bellevue, Washington, has raised $100 million from venture firm Oak HC/FT.
Clark plans to expand the team to about 20 employees in the near future and aims to launch a “V1” product within nine months. Despite a recent decline in venture deal volume, there are indications of growth in VC activity within the supply chain tech industry. According to PitchBook, global investment in the sector reached $2.4 billion, marking the third consecutive quarter of growth.
Clark’s vision for Auger is to create a unified platform that can handle the entire supply chain process, providing companies with a more efficient and integrated solution compared to the multiple, often disjointed systems they currently use.
