Finnish maritime technology start-up Seaber.io has announced the completion of a €500,000 investment round as it looks to expand its operations and ramp up software development on its bulk shipping data analysis platform.
The funding was provided by Lifeline Ventures, a venture capital firm based in Helsinki focusing on early stage companies.
“By investing in Seaber.io, Lifeline is betting on the second wave of digitalisation in industries that did not benefit widely in earlier digitalisation efforts,” said Kai Backman, Partner at Lifeline.
“We see a huge potential in Seaber’s ability to help small and big shipping companies with improving their operations and see a fruitful partnership going forward.”
Seaber’s planning and reporting application for bulk and breakbulk operators is used to store and manage operational, cargo and contract data across vessel fleets, which is then analysed using artificial intelligence-based optimisation and analytics systems to maximise asset utilisation and reduce costs in the carriage of cargo.
The software is aimed at both charterers and shipowners, though the company notes that the platform offers greater benefits if both parties are using it together.
Seaber’s founders Sebastian Sjöberg (also CEO) and Mikael Sand have been working on the technology since late 2017, adding to the team over the course of the last year as they look to bring the first customers on to the platform in 2020.
“We are delighted to have the support from Lifeline and work together to bring the shipping industry towards digitalisation. Our vision is to be there at the front lines driving shipping towards a new phase where technology can be utilised to benefit everyone,” said Mr Sjöberg.
