Motion Ventures announced the close of its $100 million second fund (Motion Ventures Fund II), marking the largest maritime technology-focused venture fund to date. This landmark fund aims to accelerate the adoption of digital and sustainable solutions across the maritime industry, emphasizing collaboration among startups, corporate leaders, and strategic investors.
Fund II expands Motion Ventures’ strategic investor consortium to over 17 prominent maritime and supply chain corporations, establishing the largest partnership network in the maritime sector. This network, known as the Motion Ventures Alliance, offers portfolio companies critical mentorship, rapid pilot opportunities, and direct access to industry leaders.
Over the next 18 to 24 months, Fund II plans to invest between $250,000 to $10 million in at least 25 startups. The fund specifically targets innovations that digitise and decarbonise maritime supply chains, supporting the industry's shift toward sustainability and operational excellence. Notably, Fund II also broadens its investment scope to include asset-intensive hardware solutions alongside software, responding to growing corporate demands for comprehensive maritime innovations.
“Maritime is experiencing a transformative period where digitalisation and decarbonisation have evolved from conceptual ideals to industry necessities,” said Shaun Hon, Founder and General Partner of Motion Ventures. “With Fund II, our goal goes beyond providing larger investments, we aim to unite visionary founders, strategic corporations, and industry allies to drive rapid adoption and scaling of impactful solutions.”
Already, Motion Ventures has secured over half of Fund II’s targeted amount, with investments deployed in innovative startups like OceanScore and Fernride. The fund builds on Motion Ventures' impressive track record from its first fund, launched in 2021, which achieved two profitable exits and placed among the top 10% of global 2021 vintage VC funds. Since its founding, Motion Ventures has evaluated more than 8,000 startups, establishing itself as maritime’s most active investor.
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“Motion Ventures has rapidly grown from an innovative concept into a pivotal maritime investor," remarked Nakul Malhotra, Vice President - Emerging Opportunities Portfolio at Wilhelmsen Group. "Their dedicated approach has substantially benefited the early-stage venture landscape, and we are proud to continue supporting their impactful journey with Fund II.”
With the maritime digitisation market projected to reach $423.4 billion by 2031, Fund II is strategically positioned to harness this momentum. Motion Ventures remains committed to catalysing innovation across global maritime supply chains, reshaping industry standards, and setting new benchmarks for maritime commerce’s sustainable future.
“Having Motion Ventures as a strategic investor has accelerated our global expansion, significantly enhancing our market access and industry connections,” said Albrecht Grell, Managing Director of OceanScore. "Fund II is precisely structured to accelerate such collaborations, uniting groundbreaking startups with the corporate powerhouses essential for real-world scale," added Jan Holm, Advisor to Motion Ventures.
