Ceto raises $4.8 million in seed funding to accelerate the mission of reshaping maritime operations through predictive technology. The journey began twelve years ago in the engine room of the Post-Panamax bulk carrier M/V Alam Pintar, where the founder first witnessed the challenges of machinery failures and reactive maintenance. Even aboard the world’s most advanced superyachts, critical decisions continued to be made without real-time, actionable insights.
Despite advancements in ship technology, the maritime industry still relies heavily on reactive maintenance. Machinery breakdowns currently account for 45% of marine hull insurance claims, leading to billions in annual losses. The core issue lies not in the absence of data, but in the inability to convert onboard information into proactive, decision-enabling insights.
Ceto is developing a platform that transforms raw sensor inputs into predictive intelligence, enabling ship owners and operators to manage operational risks, enhance performance, and drive sustainability across fleets.
"At Ceto, we aim to unite the power of AI with the indispensable human expertise at the heart of maritime. This kind of technology plays a critical role in identifying risk and improving decision making, ushering in a smarter era for shipping and finance." — Tony Hildrew, Founder & CEO, Ceto
The funding round was led by Dynamo Ventures, with participation from Howden Ventures, Signal Ventures, Motion Ventures, and Chaucer. This strategic investment strengthens Ceto’s capacity to scale, deepen industry collaborations, and set a new benchmark in maritime operations through predictive analytics.
While funding provides momentum, true innovation continues at sea — where predictive tools can shift global shipping from reactive approaches to forward-looking strategies. Ongoing partnerships with Howden, Chaucer, and six other leading P&C insurance markets, along with some of the world's largest ship owners, underscore the industry’s commitment to embracing proactive risk management. These collaborations will be essential in shaping products that incentivize operational excellence and reward risk foresight.
Flagship Products
The maritime sector has historically operated with reactive maintenance practices, with formalized planned maintenance systems (PMS) emerging only in the 17th century — vastly different from current standards. The turning point lies in modern shipping’s access to vast operational datasets, providing the foundation for predictive solutions that move the industry beyond centuries-old habits.
Ceto’s core products are designed to tackle the complex operational and regulatory challenges facing maritime operators:
- Watchkeeper: A predictive maintenance platform that leverages high-frequency sensor data to forecast machinery failures before they happen.
- CarbonID: An AI-powered emissions monitoring system that tracks vessel performance and supports compliance with environmental regulations by reducing carbon output.
Connected Insurance: A real-time insurance model offering transparent premiums and incentives based on proactive risk management and operational data.