Simplifying spot | Oliver Jones of Manifold

In this episode of The Semi-Related Podcast, host Jacob Eischen sits down with Oliver Jones, co-founder and CEO of Manifold, to explore his journey from software engineer to freight tech founder. Oliver shares his path from building large-scale storage systems to joining Convoy in its early days, where he helped shape automation in spot bidding, tendering, and integrations during the company’s rapid rise.Oliver opens up about the lessons learned through Convoy, the pivotal decision to apply to Y Combinator, and the early days of building Manifold as a connectivity layer that unifies scattered spot freight opportunities. He talks about customer-driven product development, the role of AI in lowering barriers to tech adoption, and why the future of freight lies in making smarter, data-backed decisions rather than chasing standardization.Whether you’re curious about the realities of startup life, the challenges of automating logistics, or how AI is reshaping freight technology, this conversation offers candid insights, hard-earned lessons, and a look at what’s ahead for the industry.