Root Ventures is a seed-stage venture capital firm that invests in technical teams working on deep tech. The firm specializes in the fields of financial services, venture capital, and investments. It was founded in 2013 and headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Root Ventures

Homebrew is a hands-on, founder-friendly seed-stage fund created by Hunter Walk and Satya Patel to invest in the ''bottom-up economy.'' Homebrew has adopted the Diversity Term Sheet Rider.

Homebrew

Quiet Capital is a technology investment firm.

Quiet Capital

M12 - Microsoft’s venture fund, invests in early-stage enterprise software companies with a focus on AI, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, developer tools, vertical SaaS, and Web3/Gaming. Since 2016, M12 has invested in over 100 companies, helping startups accelerate growth with unparalleled access to Microsoft.

M12 - Microsoft's Venture Fund

We are in the middle of a profound cultural sea change. Long gone are the days where hype and marketing jive alone will triumph. It is now meaning and purpose that serve as the backbone of a company’s staying power and provide the strength to remain sustainable and scalable.   Fewer than  one-third of Americans trust traditional sources of wisdom: government, media, religion and big business. This trust has eroded, particularly for millennials and Gen Zs, who now represent more than half of the U.S. population. Yet, many companies that have tried hastily to capitalize on that broken trust have only broken it further with false and inflated promises.   Now more than ever, people are seeing through the hype and massive fundraising rounds and are seeking purpose and meaning when it comes to making decisions to invest in or build a business.   In response, a new generation of companies dedicated to these principles is emerging, and gaining traction. These are the billion-dollar opportunities that will fundamentally transform the way we work, live and care for ourselves and others.   TMV has assembled a team of battle-tested operators, with proven records of spotting and amplifying inventive young companies that are bringing about this change. Our Terrain Purpose-driven founders reimagining… The Way We Work: We invest in companies that help both workers and entrepreneurs cultivate talent Logistics and Mobility: We invest in companies creating transparency and efficiency around global trade and movement Sustainable Solutions: We invest in the circular economy The Care Economy: We invest in companies broadening access to care Education Tech: We invest in companies advancing education systems   Our Commitment We make investments that reflect the way the world actually looks.  As a female-led fund with a portfolio that’s 65% women- and minority-owned, TMV represents an opportunity for a more inclusive society and culture. We are committed to investing in diverse companies because it’s simply good business. We pledge to put more capitalistic power into the hands of women and people who are BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color).    If you like our approach and want to talk to us about how to leverage capital for a better tomorrow, we want to listen.

Our mission is to invest in and drive founders and engineers to solve our planet's biggest problems. Reshaping old industries, and redesigning core operating systems. Our aim is to ensure future planetary sustainability. Our playground is the hard, the forgotten, and the overlooked.

Amplifier

MUUS is a private investment group providing capital and operational resources to management teams with exceptional potential.

MUUS

Deep Tech Venture Capital firm. We invest in AI, Robotics, Life Sciences, Tech Infrastructure, Advanced Materials and others. Deep Tech is where Science meets Technology. Deep tech companies are building a better future, thanks to entrepreneurs, researchers, scientists, engineers, academics, and subject matter experts who develop new algorithms, models, systems, devices and products.

GRIDS Capital

Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund is an investment initiative to accelerate technology development and deployment of new climate innovations through equity and debt capital.

Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund

Through their own investment vehicle, SYSTEMIQ supports disruptive early-stage digital/technology ventures with the potential to transform systems in the circular economy, energy and land use sectors. They support asset-light models (SaaS, platforms, marketplaces and tools) and targeted IP-driven asset-light hardware innovation with significant scale potential. Their sweet spot is $1-2m of initial investment in Seed/Series A rounds. They act as an active minority investor by deploying a combination of capital and talent to 'de-risk' the companies they invest in, accelerate their commercialisation and position them for further fundraising and greater scale.

SYSTEMIQ

Amplifier provides a private-label merchandising platform for high-affinity communities.  Amplifier produces Mass-Customized/On-Demand goods and traditional ones (e.g. Screen Printing) and delivers these through a highly-scalable 3PL/fulfillment platform.  All goods are produced,  picked and integrated into a single, client-branded shipment. Amplifier saves clients and their customers the freight expenses otherwise incurred by the use of drop-shippers or disparate production facilities.   Clients include many well-known Internet sites including Reddit, Imgur, The Chive, Rowdy Gentleman, LIVESTRONG, Rooster Teeth Productions, Despair.com, Glennz, Mailchimp and others.

Nautilus Labs

Nautilus Labs is a technology partner that provides decarbonization of the ocean supply chain. They work across data availability and structures they apply machine learning to unlock predictive decision-making for fleet efficiency. Their solutions are built on clients’ workflows and are accompanied by human-centric change management programs to drive organizational adoption.

Nautilus Labs is a maritime technology company specializing in decarbonizing the ocean supply chain. Their flagship solution, Voyage Optimization, leverages machine learning to analyze internet of Things (IoT) data, weather patterns, arrival and departure times, and commercial requirements. This empowers clients to reduce fuel waste, emissions, and optimize commercial returns. Nautilus Labs creates digital twin vessel models to accurately simulate vessel performance, enabling voyage optimization for improved Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) ratings, emissions tracking, and efficiency gains. Their offerings include Fleet Essentials for fleet performance management, Voyage Optimizer for charterers and operators, Boil-off Gas management solutions, and Green Charter for transforming traditional charter party agreements. In October 2022, Nautilus Labs partnered with OrbitMI to provide an integrated solution encompassing data integration, operational processes, and maritime optimizations. In October 2023, they announced a strategic integration with Dataloy to blend data resources and deliver actionable insights for enhanced decision-making.

Nautilus Labs and OrbitMI announce strategic partnership for maritime processes and optimization

Maritime Decarbonization Solutions

Dataloy and Nautilus Labs Announce Strategic Integration to Elevate Maritime Decision-making

Nautilus Labs Raises $34 Million in Series B Funding to Decarbonize Ocean Shipping, Optimize Voyage Economics in Oldest Part of the Supply Chain

Nautilus Labs launches Green Charter™ to transform charter parties for ocean supply chain decarbonisation

Using autonomous, green, IoT, and digital technologies to shape the future of ocean-based transportation

Shipping Tech

Nautilus Labs on LinkedIn: Are you ready for AI?

Nautilus Labs is a maritime technology company specializing in decarbonizing the ocean supply chain. Their flagship solution, Voyage Optimization, leverages machine learning to analyze internet of Things (IoT) data, weather patterns, arrival and departure times, and commercial requirements. This empowers clients to reduce fuel waste, emissions, and optimize commercial returns. Nautilus Labs creates digital twin vessel models to accurately simulate vessel performance, enabling voyage optimization for improved Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) ratings, emissions tracking, and efficiency gains. Their offerings include Fleet Essentials for fleet performance management, Voyage Optimizer for charterers and operators, Boil-off Gas management solutions, and Green Charter for transforming traditional charter party agreements. In October 2022, Nautilus Labs partnered with OrbitMI to provide an integrated solution encompassing data integration, operational processes, and maritime optimizations. In October 2023, they announced a strategic integration with Dataloy to blend data resources and deliver actionable insights for enhanced decision-making.
Key customers and partnerships
In June 2023, Nautilus Labs launched Green Charter to establish new legal frameworks in charter party agreements, fostering transparency and collaboration between ship owners and charterers. They have partnered with industry leaders like TotalEnergies, Eastern Pacific Shipping, Emirates Shipping Line, and Diamond Bulk Carriers to optimize voyage planning, vessel performance monitoring, and emissions reduction. Executives from these companies have praised Nautilus Labs for providing accurate real-time insights, seamless integration, cross-departmental collaboration, and driving internal behavior change toward sustainability goals.

Groke Technologies is a Finnish company established in October 2019 with the aim of becoming a leading provider of situational awareness systems and autonomous navigation solutions for the maritime industry. Its flagship product, Groke Pro, is a comprehensive situational awareness system that integrates data from various sources such as cameras, GPS, radar, and AIS messages. The system uses machine vision and machine learning to detect and classify vessels, even those without AIS, in both day and night conditions. Groke Pro's unique blending feature combines images from day and thermal imaging cameras, providing a clear view of the vessel's surroundings even in low-visibility situations.
The system continuously records, collects, and annotates data, enabling the machine learning models to enhance its capabilities for detecting objects of interest in challenging environments with increasing accuracy. Groke Pro offers tools such as risk analysis, intuitive risk compass, closest point of approach alarms, and relative velocity tracking to support decision-making. In March 2024, Groke Technologies partnered with BAR Technologies to develop situational awareness systems for BAR's WindWings wind propulsion technology, installed on the Pyxis Ocean bulk carrier.

Groke Technologies

Sea Machines Robotics is a pioneering company that develops autonomous command and control systems, as well as advanced perception technology for the maritime industry. Their flagship product, the SM300 Autonomous Command and Control System, enables vessels to seamlessly transition between unmanned autonomous mode and human manual navigation. It employs cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, computer vision, and sensor fusion to facilitate precise control over vessel position, steering, speed, route planning, obstacle avoidance, and data collection during voyages.
In April 2024, Sea Machines unveiled SELKIE, an unmanned surface vessel (USV) designed for various applications such as hydrographic surveys, offshore asset inspections, environmental studies, and security missions. The SELKIE 7, a 7-meter HDPE hull vessel powered by the SM300 system, boasts impressive range and endurance capabilities, with a capacity of up to 500 nautical miles and 15 days of operation. Its robust autonomous functions, intuitive user interface, and survey-ready features, including sonar mounts and payload deployment capabilities, make it a versatile and efficient solution for marine operations.
Sea Machines' technology has demonstrated its potential in groundbreaking achievements. In October 2021, the autonomous tug Nellie Bly, equipped with the SM300 system, successfully completed the world's first 1,000-plus-nautical-mile autonomous and remotely commanded voyage of a commercial vessel at sea, covering 96.9% of the journey in fully autonomous mode.
The company's innovations have garnered significant interest and investments. In February 2024, Sea Machines secured a USD 12 million funding round led by Emerald Technology Ventures and other prominent investors, enabling further technological advancements and market expansion. Additionally, Sea Machines has collaborated with the US Coast Guard (USCG) to evaluate and refine its computer vision technology for maritime domain awareness, collision avoidance, and target detection on USCG vessels.

Sea Machines Robotics

Orca AI is an Israeli startup that offers an AI-powered, real-time navigation safety platform for the maritime industry. The company's technology combines computer vision, deep learning, and existing onboard sensors to enhance situational awareness for crews, reduce sensory overload, and enable better navigation decisions. Orca AI's system processes visual information during navigation, mimicking and enhancing human watchkeeping capabilities. By detecting and alerting crews to high-risk marine targets, the platform optimizes operations to avoid unnecessary maneuvers and speed drops, leading to reduced fuel consumption and emissions.
In 2023, Orca AI's technology resulted in an average fuel cost reduction of USD 100,000 to USD 300,000 per vessel per year (3-5% improvement) and a significant CO2 reduction of 172,716 tons. The system has been installed on hundreds of merchant ships, including vessels from major companies like MSC, Seaspan, Maran Tankers, TMS Cardiff Gas, ENESEL, and Latsco.
In February 2022, Orca AI achieved a historic milestone by powering the world's first autonomous commercial voyage in congested waters in partnership with NYK and the Nippon Foundation. The autonomous vessel completed a 40-hour journey, performing 107 maneuvers to avoid colliding with 400-500 vessels while operating autonomously 98% of the time.
Key customers and partnerships
Orca AI works with global shipping companies, including MSC, NYK, Maersk, and Seaspan, among others. The company has also entered into partnerships with industry leaders like NYK in Japan to develop automated watchkeeping capabilities, potentially reducing the manning of ship bridges under specific conditions.
In 2023, Orca AI announced a partnership with Marubeni Corporation for sales of its AI-powered situational awareness platform, particularly in Southeast Asia and Japan.

Orca AI

Buffalo Automation is a pioneering company that has developed cutting-edge technologies for the maritime industry. Their flagship product, Automate, is a predictive boat navigation system that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI), neural networks, and thermal imaging to detect obstructions and safety hazards, providing critical warnings and assistance to safely navigate around them. Automate has already been adopted by multiple commercial ships operating on the US Great Lakes.
The company has also developed Pegasus, a comprehensive navigation and safety system designed for smaller recreational boats. While compatible with today's gas-powered engines, Pegasus technology has been adapted to create Greycraft, an innovative product line that combines electrification, renewable energy, and modular design.
Greycraft is the world's first solar-powered, autonomous vessel capable of carrying passengers and traversing busy waterways. Its modular design allows for easy transportation and assembly, eliminating the need for trailers. Greycraft's vessels are designed to operate on the water for several years without maintenance, powered primarily by solar panels with battery backup.
In December 2020, Buffalo Automation successfully demonstrated the Greycraft concept in Knoxville, Tennessee, with plans for a fully operational launch of the Greycraft Water Taxi service in early 2021, initially offered free of charge to residents.

Buffalo Automation

Ladar Limited is a maritime technology company that designs, develops, and deploys laser and computer vision-based solutions for the maritime and offshore industry. The company's flagship product is the Ladar Sensor Suite, a smart system that enables real-time, highly accurate surveillance of the ocean surface layer and water column. This system utilizes sensor-based data and artificial intelligence to fuse data aggregation systems into a comprehensive decision support system, available 24/7. The Ladar Sensor Suite prioritizes the safety of crew, passengers, vessels, and cargo by presenting a visual consolidation of feeds for swift decision-making.
One of Ladar's key innovations is the PlasticDetect system, which offers an end-to-end solution for real-time detection, classification, and tracking of marine plastic pollution. This system comprises a unique multispectral, internally developed and patented laser-based maritime lidar sensor (Ladar Sensor Suite), visual and thermal sensors, and computer vision with AI and machine learning. It is complemented by a web portal data service.
Ladar's technology aims to transform the global maritime transport industry through the adoption of automated ship collision avoidance and (semi-) submerged target detection technologies. The company's solutions address the industry's needs for increased ship safety and collision avoidance, as well as the demands of the emerging unmanned and autonomous vessel technologies market. Ladar's systems are designed to meet regulatory compliance standards, protect the environment, and explore the digitalized and automated future of maritime operations.

Ladar Ltd

Software solutions that streamline the transportation process, including ocean-based shipping, from booking and tracking shipments to managing customs compliance and invoicing.

Technologies that improve the efficiency and productivity of ports and terminals, such as automated container handling systems, real-time monitoring of cargo and vessel movements, predictive maintenance systems, and port automation systems.

Developers of technologies for ships that can decrease carbon footprint, reduce energy consumption, and increase efficiency (this excludes autonomous and remotely operated ships).

Unmanned (either autonomous or remotely-operated) vessels that use AI and ML to navigate and perform various tasks, including cargo and passenger transport. Technology also includes systems that assist navigation by providing technologies such as collision avoidance and advanced perception.

Data analytics, sensors, and IoT devices that collect data on cargo, vessel, and environmental conditions to optimize shipping routes, reduce fuel consumption, and improve safety. These software solutions may use data analytics and predictive modeling to optimize shipping operations.

Data analytics and sensor technologies and automated solutions broadly falls under Industry 4.0

Data analytics and sensor technologies segment uses IoT

Green ships promote sustainable operations

Smart ports improve the efficiency and productivity of ports and terminals, facilitating smart cities

Autonomous ships sometimes use robotic solutions

Some companies use AI/ML tech for autonomous navigation

Nautilus Labs

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