### Dave Clark Returns with Auger to Streamline Supply Chains

Former Amazon executive Dave Clark is making a new foray into the startup world with his latest venture, Auger. The company aims to simplify the complex software ecosystems that businesses and governments use to manage their supply chains, consolidating various fragmented systems into a single cohesive platform.

Clark, who served a short tenure as CEO at logistics company Flexport, identified significant inefficiencies in supply chain management during his time there. "A shocking amount of supply chain still runs on Excel," Clark said. His insights into the struggles of large companies like Nike and Lululemon, which often rely on a mix of software applications to manage their data, fueled his motivation to create Auger.

Prior to his stint at Flexport, Clark had a distinguished 23-year career at Amazon, where he played a key role in building its extensive logistics network. In 2020, he was chosen to lead Amazon's core retail division. His departure from Amazon in 2022 to join Flexport was seen as an opportunity to extend his expertise in logistics to smaller businesses globally.

Clark's tenure at Flexport ended abruptly last September, leading to the reinstatement of founder Ryan Petersen. Petersen accused Clark of overspending and overhiring, but sources close to Clark indicated that board members, including Petersen, were also involved in those decisions. Petersen has since taken measures to stabilize Flexport, including top-level staffing changes and reducing warehouse space.

Now, with Auger, Clark returns to the tech hub of Bellevue, Washington, hoping to leverage local talent to create a user-friendly software platform. "I spent the last year stepping back and thinking about how best to tackle this problem," he said, emphasizing the need for an integrated system that companies can manage as easily as consumer applications.

Despite a decline in venture capital activity, particularly in exits and IPOs, Auger has successfully secured $100 million in funding from Oak HC/FT. Clark aims to expand the team to about 20 employees and launch an initial product within the next nine months.

The launch of Auger comes at a time when even Amazon has introduced its supply chain management platform, although it is primarily aimed at businesses within its own marketplace. Clark believes Auger can fill a significant market gap by offering a seamless, intuitive platform that simplifies supply chain management for diverse businesses and governmental organizations.