In a move that’s set to send ripples through the maritime industry, Delft-based Next Ocean has just secured an undisclosed amount of seed funding from Amsterdam’s Arches Capital. This isn’t just about the money; it’s about the message it sends to the industry. Next Ocean’s predictive radar technology is more than a tool; it’s a game-changer, and the investment from Arches Capital is a clear vote of confidence in its potential to revolutionise offshore safety and efficiency.
Frank Appeldoorn, Managing Partner at Arches Capital, didn’t mince words when he said, “Next Ocean’s predictive radar technology is reshaping offshore safety and efficiency. We are excited to support their global expansion and help bring this innovation to more maritime professionals, making offshore operations safer and more reliable.” This isn’t just about backing a promising startup; it’s about bridging the gap between venture capitalists and business angels, and driving real change in the maritime sector.
Next Ocean, founded in 2016 as a spin-off from Delft University of Technology, has been making waves (pun intended) with its advanced wave prediction technology. The company’s technology provides accurate forecasts of sea waves and vessel motions, allowing businesses to manage wave-related risks and enhance offshore operations’ efficiency. This isn’t just about making operations smoother; it’s about making them safer and more environmentally friendly. By minimising operational risks and maximising uptime, even in rough weather, Next Ocean’s technology leads to cost savings and a notable reduction in CO2 emissions.
The funding will be used to accelerate growth, scale production, expand into new markets, and further develop its predictive radar technology. This isn’t just about growth for growth’s sake; it’s about scaling a technology that can make a real difference in the maritime industry. Next Ocean has already delivered numerous Vessel Motion Radar systems to leading companies in the Offshore Wind and Oil & Gas industries, and this funding will help them reach even more.
The timing of this announcement is significant. It comes around two years after Next Ocean raised €75,000 in a pre-seed funding round from Graduate Entrepreneur, an initiative of a group of influential and merited alumni of Erasmus University Rotterdam, Erasmus MC, and the Delft University of Technology. Since then, the company has grown, diversified its expertise, and expanded its focus to tackle container loss at sea and improve user interface.
Karel Roozen, CEO of Next Ocean, summed it up perfectly when he said, “This partnership marks a significant milestone for Next Ocean, reinforcing our long-term commitment to the offshore industries. We are confident that Arches Capital will be a key partner in further establishing our market position. By accelerating our growth, we can bring our potentially life-saving technology to operators worldwide and strengthen the relationships we’ve built with our existing clients. Together, we can drive safer and more efficient maritime operations.”
This news isn’t just about a single company or a single investment. It’s about the future of the maritime industry. It’s about how technology can make operations safer, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly. It’s about how investment can drive innovation and change. And it’s about how a small company from Delft can make a big impact on a global scale. The maritime industry is watching, and it’s ready for change.
