We are pleased to introduce Sealution, a company pioneering maritime innovation by harnessing the power of advanced connectivity to shape the future of ship operations, founded by Sebastian Hamers and Ruben Verplancke.

Their flagship solution, "Connectivity Below Deck," integrates Bluetooth wireless technology within existing ship infrastructure, enabling real-time sensor reporting and data-driven insights.

Sealution is one of the 50 selected companies in Cohort 1 and part of the Sustainable Freight Transportation group.

What’s the biggest industry problem that you’re tackling and how? 

The growing need for reliable and granular vessel data in the maritime industry. This need is driven by the various regulatory requirements, pushing the industry to gradually reduce emissions and decarbonise shipping en route to net zero by 2050 (or even earlier).
The product and technology of Sealution offer shipowners, managers, charterers, and operators a plug-and-play solution to seamlessly unlock and transmit data from a wide array of sensors, especially from below deck where connectivity is always limited. Our product is non-invasive, there is no need to run new or additional cables throughout the vessel. With our Gateway as a key component, the Sealution Connectivity System combines wireless flexibility with cables' reliability. Our goal is to make ships smarter and to enable our Customers to make informed data-driven decisions.

What keeps you awake at night about your startup?

With our Sealution Connectivity System being awarded Type Approval (by Lloyd's Register) just before the summer of 2024, we are now in a new and critical phase of commercialisation and roll-out on board of deep-sea cargo vessels. Market entry and scaling are at this very moment paramount for Sealution. So, developing a sound marketing strategy with our team to expand the visibility and distribution of our product is what keeps us awake.

In your wildest dreams, what would success look like for your company?

That, whenever a shipping company is faced with a problem of connectivity below deck on board one of the vessels, Sealution is being referred to as the go-to partner number one. We want to be frontrunners of maritime innovation, shaping together with our Customers the future of maritime industry 4.0. By delivering high-quality vessel data with our next-gen technology, helping the industry to decarbonise, we want to make our (modest) contribution to making our planet and its seas a greener place again.

Our Open Call 2 is live until 20 December 2024. We invite ventures operating in Supply Chain, Mobility, Energy, Circular Models, and Smart Cities to apply here.

Potential network stakeholders (investors, lead customers, mentors and supporting partners) are welcome to apply here.

This project has received funding from the European Union under grant agreement Nº101121100. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.