Kaiko funding to enhance resilience in maritime operations with AI

(Posted on 27/03/25)

Kaiko Systems, a leader in AI-driven frontline intelligence for the maritime industry, today announced a €6 million Series A funding round led by Hi inov and Flashpoint Venture Growth, with continued support from Motion Ventures. Thus, the total amount of external financing, taking into account the 2022 seed round, reached €9 million.

The new funding round will accelerate Kaiko Systems' expansion into new markets, advance product development to incorporate more extensive AI capabilities, and solidify its role in enhancing safety, compliance, and efficiency in asset-heavy industries.

The importance of resilient and efficient operations has been growing, as recent geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions have exposed vulnerabilities in maritime logistics, underlining the need for real-time operational intelligence and predictive maintenance to ensure continuity.

Kaiko Systems' mobile-first platform addresses these challenges by enabling shipping companies to streamline safety inspections, optimise maintenance workflows, and reduce compliance risks through AI-powered data analysis. Today, leading maritime operators, including OSM Thome, Reederei F. Laeisz, TMS Cardiff Gas, Columbia Shipmanagement, rely on Kaiko Systems to manage fleet-wide technical operations more effectively.

"The maritime industry is under immense pressure to modernise amidst global uncertainties and operational challenges," said Fabian Fussek, Co-Founder & CEO of Kaiko Systems. "This funding allows us to enhance our AI-driven capabilities, expand into new geographies, and equip technical teams with the tools to operate more safely and efficiently."

Kaiko Systems automates one of fleet management’s most time-consuming tasks: reviewing vast amounts of asset health data, crew performance and operational risk. By analysing thousands of inspection photos and crew reports with AI, it uncovers anomalies to drive proactive maintenance and reduce downtime. Real-time insights help shipping companies optimize operations, reduce costs, ensure compliance, and avert unplanned downtime, which can exceed $50,000 per day per vessel.

"Kaiko Systems is addressing critical challenges in the maritime industry by bridging the gap between frontline teams and strategic decision-makers through intelligent data," said Julius Jürging, Partner at Hi inov. “Its platform offers a competitive advantage for shipowners seeking operational resilience and efficiency in a complex regulatory landscape."

Tony Fedorov, Partner at Flashpoint Venture Growth added: "The need for digitisation is long overdue in maritime and other asset-heavy industries, and Kaiko Systems is uniquely positioned to lead this change. The team's deep industry expertise and AI-driven approach make them an invaluable partner for the sector."

Building on its strong foundations in maritime, Kaiko Systems is exploring applications of its frontline intelligence platform in adjacent regulated industries, such as offshore energy, infrastructure maintenance, and industrial inspections. The company’s international team of 30 tech and maritime experts across offices in Berlin, London, and soon Singapore has identified vast potential in sectors where real-time data-driven decision-making is critical for safety, compliance, and operational efficiency.