News

9/13/2024
·
6
min read

OpenOcean ESG Report 2024: Driving More Value From ESG

We are happy to share the results of our 6th annual ESG report to unpack the current ESG statistics of our portfolio companies.
7/31/2024
·
5
min read

Leveling up AI: SW England tops list for average AI funding as North of England skyrockets

New analysis from O3 platform highlights growing regional strength of UK AI startup ecosystem over last decade.
6/25/2024
·
3
min read

Our Investment Into Droppe

We are proud to announce that OpenOcean led Droppe’s 3,9M€ seed funding round. Droppe, a pioneering Finnish company in B2B distribution, is changing the way how businesses source, order and manage supplies. Their platform enables direct shipments from suppliers to customers, making supply chains more efficient and sustainable.
6/3/2024
·
4
min read

Portfolio Spotlight: Operations1

We are thrilled to share the story of Operations1, a company that revolutionises industrial operations with a user-friendly digital platform for work instructions, enabling companies to achieve operational excellence, improve quality and reduce costs.
5/14/2024
·
3
min read

Our Investment Into Purple Dot

We are excited to back Purple Dot, a London-based pre-ordering and waiting list platform.
1/12/2024
·
20
min read

Macro and Market update 2023 – “Is this hangover finally over?”

In this update we will provide you with our assessment and view on the current macro and market environment, highlighting key changes, and how this has been impacting public and private investments.
1/10/2024
·
8
min read

OpenOcean Forecast: Trends & Predictions to Watch in 2024

Every year, the OpenOcean team compiles its investment insights for the upcoming year by closely analysing the evolving global economic landscape and the technology developments of the previous year. Reflecting on 2023, it’s impossible not to mention the transformative and groundbreaking impact of Generative AI on the technology industry, affecting not just end-users but also many larger companies that have successfully integrated Large Language Models (LLMs) into their existing products and processes, thereby speeding up the digitalisation and automation of societies at large. 
10/24/2023
·
5
min read

From AI Surge to Unicorns: The State of Enterprise Automation in 2023

Our Enterprise Automation Map 2023 offers an extensive overview of the ever-expanding landscape of enterprise automation software, featuring a selection of over 810 enterprise automation companies, boasting valuations exceeding $100M.
9/12/2023
·
3
min read

OpenOcean x Oxford's Saïd Business School: Why We Created O³, Startup Insights Platform

OpenOcean, in partnership with Oxford's Saïd Business School, has launched O³, an open-access startup insights platform aimed at fostering a data-driven startup ecosystem. Historically, the tech industry has struggled with transparency, leading policymakers, investors, and startups to base decisions on partial information. O³ addresses this gap by providing comprehensive data about startups, their technologies, market strategies, and more. This collaboration of Saïd Business School's research with OpenOcean's know-how offers unmatched insights for evaluating startups and understanding market shifts.
In the press

Hard Choices: U.K. Funding Shift Threatens AI Startup Sector

"According to early-stage Venture Capital firm OpenOcean, the government’s support of individual AI projects in real-world situations at least provides an opportunity to ensure that funding is spread across the U.K. as a whole, and not just in the familiar centers of London, Oxford, Cambridge and Bristol."

In the press

Britain’s AI Startups Look To Record Year As Regulation Looms

In a statement responding to the government's statement of intent, OpenOcean urged the continuation of a light-touch approach to startups but acknowledged the need for regulation - and the possible benefits.

In the press

Global fintech investment slump worsens: UK suffers 'steep drop'

Naureen Zahid, Director of Investor Relations at OpenOcean commented on the UK market dynamics, which is prompting a growing number of firms to consider listing in the US.

In the press

What is 'AI washing' and why is it a problem?

OpenOcean's Investment Associate Sri Ayangar was featured on the BBC News today! Sri shared his insights on 'AI washing', such as how competition for funding and the desire to appear on the cutting edge have pushed some such companies to overstate their AI capabilities.

In the press

Exploring 2023 Automation Market Map: OpenOcean’s 13 New Unicorns

OpenOcean, a prominent European software and deep technology Venture Capital (VC) firm, has revealed thirteen nascent unicorns, denoting companies with a valuation soaring beyond the illustrious $1 billion mark. This unveiling comes as a part of OpenOcean’s 2023 Automation Market Map, a comprehensive compass designed to illuminate the intricate terrain of the enterprise automation software realm.

In the press

OpenOcean releases 2023 edition of automation market map, spotlights $13.5B raised by sector in H1 2023

Helsinki and London-based VC firm OpenOcean has updated its automation market map, adding over 100 companies from the year prior. The firm curates a collection of over 810 automation companies, each valued at over $100 million, but also includes a number of early-stage startups that they deem most promising, all with the aim of enhancing the understanding of the enterprise automation software sector.

In the press

‘Tech VC funding is and always has been a boys’ club’

For the past number of years, Ekaterina Almasque has dedicated herself to advocating for women in the venture capital industry. She is a co-founder of European Women in VC, an advocacy group she helped set up with a group of women who were equally frustrated with the blocks preventing talented women from breaking into the scene.

In the press

From the Ashes of Tech Nation, Rises Tech Nation 2.0 for UK SMEs

“Tech Nation 2.0 will be especially important for deep tech firms in fields like quantum technology. These companies have timelines measured in decades. They rely on targeted incentives and funding from the government to ensure continued progress is made. Furthermore, we need to establish the right procedures to guide visionary founders with innovative software concepts from initial whiteboard sketches all the way to becoming publicly listed companies in Piccadilly Square.”

In the press

Tech industry hits out at plans to limit UK’s AI Safety Summit to 100 delegates

Ekaterina Almasque, general partner at deep tech venture capital company OpenOcean said key players in the industry should have a seat at the table, but excluding prominent start-ups risks decisions being made without critical input from those at the frontlines. “To properly regulate AI in a way that fosters innovation, we need to make every effort to connect investors, startups, and policymakers,” she says. “This involves increasing R&D budgets, creating sovereign funds to support strategic initiatives, and attracting top talent into start-ups. However, we cannot adequately take these steps without the presence and perspective of the startups themselves.”