A multicriteria model for ranking logistics startups during the acquisition process in a transport company

Abstract The logistics market represents a fundamental segment for the circulation of goods and greater economic activity. Logistics startups have been gaining great importance, being potential substitutes for traditional carriers. Given this context, there is a huge need for large carriers to develop digital and sustainable solutions, and especially to look at inorganic strategies such as mergers and acquisitions. However, the process by which carriers may acquire logistics startups is quite complex. This study sought to solve the problem of ranking logistics startups with the potential to be acquired by the carrier in a Brazilian company through a multi‐criteria approach. The Flexible and Interactive Tradeoff (FITradeoff) method was used to solve the case and a ranking of the startups was obtained. The whole process was quick and simple, so this study contributes to proposing a useful model for logistics problems, and demonstrates the practicality of how to solve them using FITradeoff.