FOUNDED BY Justin Blackhurst through Digital Next Ventures, Ship Sherpa has been created to give logistics managers, operations teams, regular business shippers, couriers and end recipients a smarter, faster and more controlled delivery experience.

The platform is designed for businesses that rely on urgent, same-day or dedicated delivery, including logistics managers, warehouse teams, retailers, e-commerce brands, manufacturers, wholesalers and companies regularly moving high-value, time-critical or business-critical goods.

Calling self-employed couriers

Ship Sherpa is currently in its driver and fleet recruitment phase, onboarding self-employed owner-driver couriers and fleet partners ahead of a soft customer launch in August 2026.

The platform aims to replace outdated processes such as spreadsheets, phone calls, WhatsApp chains and fragmented courier networks with one streamlined logistics control layer. Through Ship Sherpa, users will be able to book, manage, track, verify and adapt urgent deliveries from one simple interface.

Built on Google Cloud

Built on Google Cloud, Ship Sherpa benefits from secure, scalable and reliable infrastructure designed to support real-time tracking, live delivery updates and future nationwide growth. AI is being fused across the platform to improve dispatch, automation, visibility, communication and overall user experience.

Amending in flight

One of Ship Sherpa’s standout features is Adapt, which allows users to amend or redirect a delivery while goods are already in transit. This means that if a recipient is unavailable, at a different location, or if delivery details change mid-journey, the delivery can be adjusted without the process breaking down. The feature is designed to reduce failed deliveries, improve customer experience and give drivers clearer instructions while on the road.

Ship Sherpa will also include recipient QR code verification for selected deliveries. This allows the end recipient to show a secure QR code to the driver before handover, giving shippers greater confidence and control, particularly for high-value, sensitive or time-critical shipments.

Additional platform features include intelligent dispatch, live GPS tracking, digital proof of delivery, photographic evidence and timestamped delivery records.

Growing network

By the end of 2026, Ship Sherpa aims to onboard a verified network of more than 10,000 self-employed owner-driver couriers and fleet partners to support growing nationwide demand.

Justin Blackhurst, Founder of Ship Sherpa and Digital Next Ventures, said: “Same-day delivery is ready for better technology. Too much of the industry still relies on spreadsheets, phone calls and fragmented courier networks. Ship Sherpa has been built to change that.

“We are building the platform around the people who manage urgent logistics every day, from logistics managers and warehouse teams to regular business shippers who need speed, visibility, flexibility, security and control. They do not need more chaos.

“Features like Adapt and QR code recipient verification are designed for the real world of delivery, where addresses change, recipients move location and high-value goods need extra security.

“Ship Sherpa is currently focused on building a strong driver and fleet network before opening up to customers through a soft launch in August. We want to make sure the foundations are right before scaling demand.

“Built on Google Cloud and with AI fused into the platform, Ship Sherpa is being created as the technology layer for the future of on-demand logistics.”

Register your interest

Individual self-employed couriers can now register at app.shipsherpa.co.uk, while businesses and fleet managers can join the customer waitlist at www.shipsherpa.co.uk ahead of the soft customer launch in August 2026.