Auerbach Schifffahrt-backed German digital shipping venture capital firm Flagship Founders has welcomed some big names on board.
German shipowner F Laeisz has taken part in Flagship Founders’ latest €3.5m ($3.8m) funding round, together with Starthub Ventures and board member Philipp Ahrenkiel, who is described as a “business angel”.
The aim is to build further technology ventures and expand its team.
Flagship Founders claims to be the first European venture studio focused on maritime technologies, logistics and shipping.
Founding partner Auerbach has also pumped in more money.
Flagship has already spun-off three companies since launching in 2020: Kaiko Systems, Tilla Technologies and zero44, all of which it said operate successfully in the market and count well-known shipping companies among their partners.
“The industry wants to modernise and digitalise, and we want to play a decisive role in shaping this development,” said Fabian Feldhaus, co-founder and managing director of Flagship Founders.
“For us, in addition to the financial investment, the expertise and network of our shareholders are particularly important.”
Feldhaus, who has a background in company building at Commerzbank, said the investment from F Laeisz and others among the “most traditional Hamburg shipping companies” is clear proof that the industry is convinced by the venture’s expertise and methodology.
Niko Schues, chief executive of F Laeisz, said: “The team around Malte Cherdron and Fabian Feldhaus and the previous successes of the already spun-off start-ups have convinced us.
Driving digital innovation
“We are pleased to be part of Flagship Founders with immediate effect and to jointly drive digital innovations in the maritime industry.”
Last year, zero44 began operations as a company that aims to help users plan CO2 emission reductions ahead of voyages.
It aims to develop products that provide “a customised digital solution [that] offers shipping companies a comprehensive, daily overview of their own carbon footprint”.
Lucius Bunk, founding partner at Hamburg-based Auerbach Schifffahrt, which operates a fleet of 10 project cargo ships, is a member of Flagship Founders’ management team and an active partner in the company.
