Sweden's Cetasol wins Nordic Startup Challenge in Hamburg

18 September 2023

Green tech start-up wins over jury with AI tool for more sustainable shipping

The Swedish deep tech, green tech company Cetasol has won the Chamber of Commerce's Nordic Startup Challenge and EUR 6,000 for its AI-based software to make shipping more sustainable, a press release said Tuesday (September 12, 2023). The start-up triumphed over nine other northern European start-ups competing in the "Coastal Economy and Logistics"-themed contest.

Northern Europeans meet Hamburg's business community

"Our Northern European neighbors showed us many exciting solutions in this competition. Cetasol has proven particularly innovative and can serve as a role model for other start-ups. They all presented themselves to Hamburg's business community and can use this opportunity to talk to established companies. That is a win-win situation." said Malte Heyne, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce in Hamburg. The other competing start-ups hailed from the Baltic States, Scandinavia, Iceland, Belgium and the Netherlands and presented solutions in shipping, logistics, material recycling and electro-mobility.

Special prize for Finland's Foul Fighter

The Gothenburg-based Cetasol presented AI-based modelling software for ships that helps crews and business owners optimize their use of energy and power consumption and save ten to 17 per cent. Their prize includes a temporary co-working space in Hamburg and legal advice on setting up a branch in Germany. Meanwhile, the Finnish start-up Foul Fighter has secured a special prize worth EUR 5,000 from the Scaleup Landing Pad Hamburg for its on-board solution to prevent hull fouling.
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Sources and further information

Scaleup Landing Pad Hamburg

Launched by Hamburg Invest on behalf of the Ministry of Economics and Innovation, the Scaleup Landing Pad helps green tech companies in the mobility, logistics, energy and shipping sectors expand from Hamburg across Germany and Europe. The aim is to involve global scaleups and pioneering projects in Hamburg's innovation landscape and to highlight the city's advantages as an easily accessible starting point for international companies.