Maritime tech startups are experiencing rapid growth, as seen in the latest Global Maritime Tech Startup Map 2025 by Flagship Founders. This third edition features 176 startups and scaleups—up from 149 in 2024—highlighting major trends such as AI integration, geographic expansion, and funding growth within the maritime innovation space.
AI Integration in Maritime Tech Startups
Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays a major role in the rise of maritime tech startups. In 2025, 45% of the startups on the map utilize AI, compared to 27.5% in 2024. AI is especially prevalent in the “Condition & Maintenance” segment, where 72% of companies are AI-driven.
Startups under “Communications & Information Management” also show impressive adoption—90% of companies founded in the past three years in this category are AI-based. Other sectors like “Procurement” (28%), “Ports & Docks” (40%), and “Crew Management” (33%) show slower, but promising, AI integration.
Funding Trends in Maritime Startups
Publicly disclosed funding for maritime startups reached USD 234 million over the past year—a 73% jump from 2024. Orca AI led the way with a USD 72.5 million Series B round. The true total is likely higher, considering many early-stage deals remain undisclosed.
Regional Leaders and Sector Specialization
Countries like Singapore, the UK, Germany, and the US remain dominant. Greece and Cyprus saw notable growth, now ranking third in startup count. Sector-wise, the UK leads in finance and chartering, while Europe drives green tech, and Singapore shows diversity across eight tech segments.
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Fabian Feldhaus, Managing Director of Flagship Founders, said: “AI-driven innovation is maturing fast. The next step is ensuring practical industry adoption and measurable impact.”
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