Barry Conlon knows what it means to build in high-stakes environments. Before launching Overhaul, he founded FreightWatch, a supply chain risk management company. After growing that business into an industry leader, it was acquired by a Fortune 50 company in 2012.
But what came next revealed a hard truth. The vision Barry had for the future of freight and cargo security was one built on software and data-driven control. It didn’t align with his acquirer’s priorities. That misalignment sparked something new.
“I believe passionately software was the path and after the acquisition that didn’t seem to be the direction of travel. And after several years of trying, I said, ‘Look, if they’re not willing to do it, well, I am because I believe passionately that this is the way the industry is going to evolve.’”
With Overhaul, Barry set out to create a software-first solution that could reduce risk, boost compliance, and improve visibility in the movement of high-value freight. The bet paid off early, when one of the largest companies in the world gave Overhaul its first shot.
“We got one company that actually said, 'Give it a try.' And we got that wonderful call a couple of weeks later saying, 'Hey, I believe this is exactly what we're looking for. How fast can you go?'”
That first validation wasn’t just momentum; it was a turning point that led to more customer wins, stronger product-market fit, and a rapidly growing presence in global logistics.
Software, Services, and Sunday at 2:00 AM
Overhaul didn’t break into the market by chasing every feature request or expanding into every vertical. Instead, the team focused on solving the one thing that mattered most to their customers: preventing losses in real time and giving shippers control in unpredictable conditions.
“My buyers will tell you that I sleep better at night now that these guys are there… they’re not putting an event on a dashboard. That’s great. Everybody has nice dashboards, but nobody’s looking at it at two o’clock on a Sunday morning. And I know that these guys are, and they’re not just looking at it, they’re leaning in to fix the problem.”
In a crowded sector of tracking tools and dashboards, Overhaul carved out a unique space. It combined real-time data with a human-powered managed services layer that responded to issues as they arose. That responsiveness became the company's signature, especially for global enterprises moving temperature-sensitive, high-value, or highly regulated freight.
The team’s thesis was simple but bold. Visibility alone isn’t the end game.
“Visibility is not a solution, it’s a data stream.”
That philosophy shaped Overhaul’s platform and product decisions. It wasn’t just about showing where freight was; it was actually about enabling action and resolution. The company built systems that could detect anomalies, alert stakeholders, and trigger interventions, all while integrating with a messy mix of devices, carriers, and third-party systems.
Raising Growth Capital the Right Way
Overhaul raised its first institutional round in early 2020, just days before global supply chains were thrown into chaos by the pandemic. But even before that milestone, Barry had been deliberate about when and how to raise.
He bootstrapped Overhaul through its early stages, focusing on sustainable growth and product-market fit before ever considering outside capital. That discipline carried through to later decisions, including how to finance key acquisitions.
“Short answer is I listened to my board members who instructed me that the best equity you can raise is the non-dilutive line, which is so true.”
That insight drove the decision to use a mix of equity and debt to finance the acquisition of his former company. It was a calculated move to expand Overhaul’s global footprint and deny competitors the chance to acquire the same valuable asset.
Over the following three years, Overhaul raised more than $100 million and completed two significant acquisitions. Each step was part of a broader strategy to strengthen capabilities, expand globally, and outpace legacy solutions in a fast-evolving logistics environment.
Boards That Challenge and Deliver
As the company scaled, Barry also prioritized something many founders underestimate: building a strong, functional board.
Rather than stacking the board with yes-people or pure investors, Barry focused on assembling a mix of operators, subject-matter experts, and independent voices. It was less about optics and more about support, accountability, and shared decision-making.
“You can't sit there thinking you know it all. Especially if you're a little bit uncomfortable with what's being said, that's the time you really have to listen and act.”
His view on governance is practical and refreshingly honest. Barry believes boards should bring clarity to complex issues, challenge assumptions, and align around what’s best for the business. That means leaving ego out of the room.
“It’s not who wins the decision, it’s the right decision to be made for the business.”
With that approach, Overhaul has built a board that operates like a strategic partner. Its members are involved, informed, and committed to helping the company scale without compromising on mission or customer value.
The Future of Overhaul: Critical Freight, Critical Thinking
Overhaul is not chasing hype or feature parity. The company is focused on the critical freight segments where risk is highest and control is hardest to maintain, such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, and automotive.
“I call it the beachhead… based on insurance limits, we say no limited to 10, but yet we can come in and say, 'Hey, we can make you reflect on that risk management decision, invest in our solution, and then you can safely put 50 million in there and you're only spending for one movement rather than five.'”
The company’s recent acquisition of FreightVerify unlocked new capabilities in shipment-level visibility and part-level tracking. While the deal added immediate value, Barry saw something bigger: the ability to expand Overhaul’s solution into new use cases and industries.
“Do I know where it is? Do I know what's happening? Should it be happening that way? That's really where we saw FreightVerify’s technology having a real impact.”
Overhaul’s growth isn’t about being everywhere. It’s about being essential to the companies that need precise, responsive, and trusted solutions for complex supply chain challenges.
Global Logistics, Growth Strategy, and Board Leadership
Barry Conlon’s story is a case study in focus, discipline, and scale. He built Overhaul with a clear view of the problem, a conviction about the solution, and the patience to wait until the timing and capital were right.
Through deliberate growth, thoughtful financing, and strong governance, Overhaul has become a trusted partner to some of the world’s largest and most risk-sensitive shippers. The company’s trajectory is not just about logistics. It’s about leadership, decision-making, and solving the problems others overlook.
For more on building a durable, decision-ready company, listen to the full episode on Electrifying Growth!
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