Seed funding for NZ vessel management software

NEW ZEALAND’S Punakaiki fund has put NZ$3 million into developing an “all-in-one”, cloud-based vessel management software built for seafarers.

The seed funding for New Zealand maritime tech company Sea-Flux aims to fuel global expansion and faster innovation in digital vessel management for commercial maritime operations.

Founder and CEO of Sea-Flux, Tai Ellis, said crews deserve better than paperwork and scattered information.

He said operations can be streamlined and digitally connected which reduced risk for seafarers to be able to focus on what they do best. 

Sea-Flux’ now has more than 1300 vessels with nearly 9000 users.

In 2024, the company won the Innovation Award for Electronic and Electrical Systems at the European Commercial Marine Awards in Southampton, England.

The Punakaiki investment will go into accelerating product innovation and building on its traction in New Zealand, Australia, the UK, and India. 

“We will continue to focus our efforts on empowering maritime operations with the future of vessel management. We want to cut through complexity with intuitive tools that create transparency, accountability, and confidence in decision making across the teams,” Mr Ellis said.

Sea-Flux, cloud-based vessel management software is built for seafarers, founded by a skipper wanting to cut through complexity and empower crew with streamlined maritime operations.

Mr Ellis said the mobile-first app provides unparalleled functionality that reduces risk and cost to commercial vessel operations.