Each year, ten million crew ranges are organized in the maritime industry. These critical operations, which mobilize tens of thousands of sailors, are still widely managed by hand, via emails, calls and Excel files. For Niklas Weidmann and Narayan Venkatesh, founders of Tilla, this is one of the dead angles of the digital transition from the sector. Their solution: a SaaS platform that automates and optimizes the entire process, from planning to reporting, including flight booking and document management.
Created in Berlin in 2021, Tilla specialized in this very precise segment of the maritime logistics chain: the management of crew recovery. A significant cost position, estimated at more than 10 billion euros worldwide, where administrative complexity, the risks of errors and loss of time remain high. The startup has designed a platform connected to the main sources of maritime, port and air data, to automate decision -making and facilitate the work of on -board HR teams. According to the figures communicated, the tool makes it possible to reduce success costs by 24 % on average, and the treatment times by 40 %.
“We solve a complex work flow in a complex industry, at the intersection of the maritime and aviation” observes Niklas Weidmann. “And yet, we continue to move forward, always with a smile, knowing that things are not perfect, but confident in the fact that we are on the right track. »»
Tilla claims more than 35,000 reversals organized to date, on a park of 500 ships, with customers present in ten countries. Among them are Peter Döhle Schiffahrts-Kg, Essberger, Stödig ShipManagement, Wilson, Seatrade, as well as Examar, Belgian shipowner now also shareholder.
In an area still little digital, the startup’s rapid traction seems to have convinced its investors. Tilla has just completed a funding of 2 million euros led by the Singaporean Fund Motion Ventures, specializing in Blue Economy, and for example. This tour aims to support the international expansion of the platform, especially in Asia-Pacific and the Mediterranean basin.
“What we have accomplished with a light but formidably effective team is remarkable: validating the product – Market Fit, creating real traction, operating on a global scale, and collaborating with some of the most famous shipowners in the world” sums up Niklas Weidmann. “We will use this funding to further strengthen the team and get closer to our vision: digitize each crew succession and optimize each step, from complex planning to multi-actor execution, until billing. »»
The new fundraising has the total funding obtained by Tilla at 4 million euros since its creation. The company was founded in Berlin in 2021 by Niklas Weidmann and Narayan Vekatesh. It develops a SaaS platform to digitize and automate crew ranges in the maritime industry. The startup now has more than 500 user ships, customers in ten countries, and aims to integrate artificial intelligence features to enrich its planning, its financial capacities, and strengthen its global coverage.
