Axe Funding News- Irish Startup Axe Raises €1.5Mn In Pre-Seed Round

The funding round was led by Pitchdrive, with participation from Accel Scouts, Enterprise Ireland, and strategic angel investors, including Colm Long (formerly of Google and Tines) and Colm Lyons (founder of Realex and Fire).

Axe's platform aims to streamline logistics operations by employing AI agents that can automate various tasks, thereby improving efficiency and reducing operational costs for businesses.

“Logistics is the backbone of the global economy, yet it still runs on billions of emails, spreadsheets, and phone calls,” says Co-founder and CEO James McElroy. “Our AI agents act as digital teammates, automating repetitive tasks to free up teams for higher-impact work. As margins tighten due to global tariffs, AI provides a crucial advantage by unlocking efficiency and cost savings.”

Founded in 2024 by James McElroy (CEO) and Dan Quill (CTO), Axe is an AI startup that develops autonomous agents designed to assist logistics teams by performing tasks such as logging into systems, making calls, sending emails, and coordinating end-to-end operations. These AI agents aim to execute complete workflows and adapt in real-time, thereby reducing back-office workload and improving efficiency.

A key feature of Axe's AI agents is their ability to handle tasks like booking loads, resolving issues, and keeping shipments on track without the need for additional staff.

James McElroy previously co-founded Gudog, a European pet services marketplace that was acquired by Blackstone following its acquisition of U.S.-based Rover. Prior to that, he held roles at the document logistics company Oasis. Dan Quill served as the founding CTO at Peblo, which was acquired by fintech company Wayflyer in 2023, and has held engineering positions at fintech leader iwoca.

“We backed Axe because they’re tackling one of the most painful and outdated workflows in a $10 trillion industry—with a team that knows how to ship fast, build real AI, and sell into logistics. James and Dan have done this before, and they’re building exactly what freight teams have been crying out for: AI agents that actually get things done,” added Koen Christiaens, Partner at Pitchdrive

Dublin-based AI startup Axe has officially launched its platform, introducing AI agents designed to assist logistics teams by automating routine tasks such as order entry, quoting, scheduling, and even making phone calls to drivers. These agents aim to streamline operations, allowing human teams to focus on more complex and value-added activities.

According to Axe, their AI agents can save logistics companies up to two hours per employee each day, enhancing productivity and customer responsiveness.

To support its growth, Axe has secured €1.5 million in pre-seed funding. The round was led by Pitchdrive, with participation from Accel Scouts, Enterprise Ireland, and strategic angel investors including Colm Long (formerly of Google and Tines) and Colm Lyons (founder of Realex and Fire).

The newly acquired funds will be utilized to accelerate product development, expand the engineering and customer success teams, and facilitate the company's expansion into the U.S. market. Currently operating from Dublin and London, Axe plans to open its first U.S. office later this year.

About Axe

Axe is a well-known brand owned by Unilever that makes grooming products for men, especially body sprays and deodorants. The brand is popular for its wide range of scents and aims to help men feel confident and attractive.