Hauler Hero Secures $16M to Revolutionize Waste Management with AI
Hauler Hero, a New York-based startup specializing in AI-driven waste management solutions, has successfully raised $16 million in a Series A funding round. The investment was led by Frontier Growth, with additional participation from K5 Global and Somersault Ventures, bringing the company’s total venture capital to over $27 million.
Founded in 2020 by CEO Mark Hoadley and his brother-in-law Ben Sikma, Hauler Hero aims to modernize the waste management industry by replacing outdated, cumbersome software systems with a comprehensive, AI-powered platform. This platform integrates customer relationship management, billing, and routing functionalities, streamlining operations for waste management companies.
Reflecting on the industry’s existing software, Hoadley remarked, All of the existing software in the space, they were clunky, old. Sometimes we’d talk about how this one reminds us of the Oregon Trail, this reminds us of the cell phone Michael Douglas used in ‘Wall Street.’ They’re very clunky and antiquated.
Since its inception, Hauler Hero has facilitated approximately 35 million trash pickups. The company has experienced significant growth, doubling its headcount, revenue, and customer base since its seed round in late 2024.
In response to industry demands, Hauler Hero has introduced new features, including a system that captures images from third-party cameras mounted on garbage trucks. These images are transmitted directly to a centralized software command center, enabling companies to confirm pickups, verify billing accuracy, and monitor fleet operations more effectively.
While some sanitation workers and unions have expressed concerns about this technological advancement, Hoadley emphasized that most unions have agreements preventing the footage from being used for disciplinary actions. He also noted that the visual data can help reduce liability for drivers in cases of accidents or alleged missed pickups.
Looking ahead, Hauler Hero is developing a suite of three AI agents to further enhance its platform:
– Hero Vision: Automatically identifies service issues and revenue opportunities.
– Hero Chat: A chatbot designed to handle customer inquiries efficiently.
– Hero Route: Utilizes route data to optimize and adjust routes for increased efficiency.
Hoadley explained, There’s an enormous amount of data in our system about pickups, work orders, billing information, and if you give these agents an understanding of your data model, you can just go tell them, hey, go build me a chart.
The recent funding will be allocated towards commercializing these AI agents and expanding services for municipal entities, a growing segment of Hauler Hero’s clientele. Hoadley noted that the company’s engagement with public entities emerged organically, driven by inbound interest from municipalities seeking modern solutions.
The consolidation of competitors Routeware and Wastech in 2024 has left government entities with limited options, positioning Hauler Hero as a viable alternative.
With a focus on refining and scaling its product offerings, Hauler Hero is committed to delivering cutting-edge value to its customers by leveraging the latest technological tools.
