Circle the Wagons and Callais Capital Launch Logistics Startup Hub in Louisiana

Callais Capital and Circle the Wagons (CTW) announced the creation of a new third-party logistics startup hub built for founders based in Houma, LA. The new 10,000+ square foot facility will support local startups with distribution, packaging, and purchasing needs and help early-stage companies drive down shipping and fulfillment costs. CTW will manage the warehouse operations and act on behalf of each startup to negotiate favorable terms that, in some cases, have equated to ~50% cost savings for existing startup partners currently participating in the new 3PL operations.

Barton Howard, co-founder and CDO of Circle the Wagons, discussed his vision of the new distribution center as a “beacon for future growth” in Southeast Louisiana. “Callais Capital has been a great investor for us,” he said. “They’ve allowed us to quickly expand and bring cost savings to young companies who need them the most. And we’re confident that a collective strategy just makes sense for startups because it saves time and money.”

Callais Capital and Circle the Wagons are investing in Houma, a community impacted by the hurricanes, with the goal of creating local jobs, fueling businesses, and supporting entrepreneurs in a region where diversification of job opportunities not tied to oil, gas, and energy production services are a welcome addition.

Circle the Wagons’ business proposition allows founders the ability to focus on other important startup duties while the warehouse management, distribution, packaging, and purchasing needs are handled by a third party who specializes in collective bargaining and logistics. In addition to supporting independent retailers, such as grocers, CTW has launched this new initiative with Callais Capital to expand their group purchasing power to startups and early-stage companies in the region.

Since 2015, Callais Capital has been changing the way that VCs support their investments by introducing a hands-on approach to directly support their portfolio of companies. Mark Graffagnini, Partner at Callais Capital, stated that two existing Callais Capital portfolio companies were both independently trying to accomplish the same things. With this collective strategy, we anticipate immediate cost savings for them and other startups in the Gulf Coast region.”

Currently, CTW’s first facility is nearly at 100% capacity and we are actively looking to expand operations throughout the Gulf Coast.

About Callais Capital
Callais Capital Management is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Louisiana that invests in innovative companies and founders who are rapidly scaling their businesses. Callais Capital’s team leverages their background and expertise in entrepreneurship, investing, and deep roots in a region underserved by institutional investors to identify high-growth investment opportunities. Callais Capital Management is a Louisiana Registered Investment Advisor. For more information about Callais Capital Management, visit www.callaiscapital.com.

About Circle the Wagons

Founded in 2018, Circle the Wagons is a group purchasing organization rebalancing the competitive landscape for their members. Founded on the essential principles of protecting profitability and viability, CTW lowers costs and expenses for “not for resale” commodities and services through the purchasing power of their members. For more information about Circle the Wagons, visit www.ctwgpo.com.