CEO and Founder of uShip, Matthew Chasen, MBA’ 04, came to The University of Texas at Austin in 2002 with an idea for a shipping marketplace. While here, Chasen joined with fellow business school students Jay Manickam and Mickey Millsap, who he met in a New Venture Creation class during their first year, and the three began to further develop the business plan. While at McCombs, they entered the idea for uShip into several business competitions, including the Moot Corp Competition (now Venture Labs Investment Competition) in 2004, where they won runner-up.

The company has since grown into a global online transport marketplace, often referred to as the “eBay for shipping.” The A&E Network has taken notice of uShip, and is now featuring the company on their new original television series “Shipping Wars,” which follows six independent shippers who compete for customers using the uShip website.

It is very exciting for all of us at The University of Texas and the McCombs School of Business to see the success of our alumni. Chasen has been recognized by many for his success, including being named the 2011 McCombs MBA Alumni Rising Star, an honor given to recent graduates who have been successful professionally and have helped strengthen the McCombs Alumni Network. He remains active on campus, regularly speaking in entrepreneurship classes and serving as a judge for the Venture Labs Investment Competition.

uShip co-founders and class of 2004 MBAs (left to right): Matt Chasen, Jay Manickam and Mickey Millsap

The article below appeared in the Austin American-Statesman earlier this week. Written by Gary Dinges.

A&E‘s ‘Shipping Wars’ focuses on Austin-based uShip

Austin and Austin-based company uShip.com are front and center in a new reality TV series that debuts tonight.

The A&E Network’s “Shipping Wars” focuses on six shippers whose livelihoods depend on transporting bulky, out-of-the-ordinary items — including a 13-foot-tall metal horse made of car bumpers and a larger-than-life “Little Shop of Horrors” Venus’ flytrap — listed on uShip.com.

The site, launched in 2004, connects truckers with businesses and consumers who need their belongings hauled cross-country. Assignments go to the lowest bidder.

“Trucking is a tough, competitive business,” said Matt Chasen, uShip’s founder and CEO. Continue reading →