Venture-backed freight-tech player Zuum has entered Chapter 11 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California, a high-profile addition to the industry’s late-year restructuring docket. The Irvine-based software and brokerage hybrid reported assets and liabilities both in the $10 million to $50 million range, underscoring a capital-light balance sheet but a meaningful trade-credit exposure across the broker–carrier ecosystem.
While the filing confirms Zuum’s plan to reorganize rather than liquidate, the early case activity points to a company racing to preserve operating runway. On Nov. 10, Zuum filed an emergency motion to use cash collateral and a related statement regarding cash-collateral or DIP financing—classic “first-day” relief meant to keep payroll, carrier settlements, and core platform functions funded while the court sorts out creditor priorities. A telephonic meeting of creditors under Section 341 is scheduled for Dec. 2, and the initial status conference is set for Dec. 16 before Judge Mark D. Houle.
Case metadata also reveals a detail noteworthy for vendors and integration partners: Zuum lists “Wave TMS” as a doing-business-as name. Counsel of record is Levene, Neale, Bender, Yoo & Golubchik, with Eve H. Karasik appearing for the debtor. These details—and the assignment to Judge Houle in the Santa Ana division—give a clearer picture of the venue and playbook Zuum will pursue over the next several weeks.
The creditor matrix highlights how concentrated the exposure is among freight brokers. Nineteen of Zuum’s 20 largest unsecured claims are held by brokerage firms, with the remaining slot occupied by tech services provider Accion Labs. That mix suggests most of the pain will flow through intermediaries rather than asset-based carriers, though ripple effects on payment timing for carriers are still possible if brokers tighten credit or pause loads tied to Zuum flows.
What to watch next: If the court grants interim cash-collateral authority, Zuum should have enough liquidity to maintain its TMS/brokerage platform while it negotiates with lenders and trade creditors. Expect a more detailed “first-day declaration” and a budget to surface around the cash-collateral hearing; those will clarify headcount, customer churn, carrier payables, and whether Zuum will seek a broader DIP loan or pursue a sale process. The Dec. 2 creditors’ meeting will also give trade partners a first chance to ask questions under oath about the company’s cash position and business plan.
Why it matters for trucking: Freight-tech failures tend to reverberate beyond software. If Zuum secures interim financing and stabilizes operations, carriers using its tools or hauling its brokerage loads could see minimal disruption. If financing falters, however, brokers and carriers may face slower remittances and should be ready with proof-of-claim filings, contingency workflows for tendering and tracking, and a plan for customer notifications. In short, the next two weeks—through the creditor meeting and status hearing—will determine whether this case becomes a routine restructuring or a scramble to re-home freight volumes.
Case snapshot: Zuum filed Nov. 6 under case number 8:25-bk-13127; the docket has already populated with scheduling orders, proof-of-service entries, and first-day motions. Monitor the case calendar closely—deadlines and dial-in logistics are set, and additional filings could land quickly as the debtor seeks breathing room to keep the platform live.
Sources: FreightWaves, Yahoo Finance, BKAlerts, Inforuptcy
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