Sources : https://ceto.ai/

Ceto AI is transforming the maritime industry by leveraging high-frequency vessel data and artificial intelligence to enable predictive maintenance, emissions tracking, and performance-linked insurance. Through its innovative products Watchkeeper, CarbonID, and Connected Insurance, the company empowers shipowners and insurers to make proactive, efficient, and sustainable decisions. Founded in the UK in 2020, Ceto AI emerged from CEO Tony Hildrew’s firsthand experience in maritime operations, where he identified a critical gap: nearly 45% of marine hull insurance claims stem from machinery breakdowns, yet insurers and operators often lacked actionable, real-time data to prevent them.

The company’s name, inspired by the Greek sea goddess Ceto, symbolizes its mission to harness the power of the ocean through smart data. Backed by a team blending maritime expertise, deep tech, and insurance knowledge, Ceto AI is led by Tony Hildrew, a former Chief Engineer turned tech entrepreneur. He is joined by CTO Ben Harrison, a seasoned startup technologist, and CUO Bob Clarkson, who brings over 30 years of experience in marine underwriting and risk management from Lloyd’s and shipowners’ offices. Their multidisciplinary team including engineers, product designers, and data scientists has built a platform that addresses some of the most pressing operational risks in shipping.

Ceto AI’s flagship solution, Watchkeeper, uses high-frequency sensor data from onboard machinery to continuously monitor equipment performance, detect early signs of failure, and enable predictive maintenance minimizing unplanned downtime and costly breakdowns. CarbonID provides real-time emissions and fuel usage data, enabling fleet operators to comply with environmental regulations and optimize fuel efficiency. Connected Insurance bridges performance and risk by directly linking real-time vessel data to insurance terms, offering lower premiums for vessels that operate efficiently and maintain machinery proactively. What sets Ceto AI apart is its rapid deployment; fleets can be fully onboarded in just 1–2 days, with technical integration requiring as little as 2–4 hours, ensuring minimal disruption while delivering immediate value.

Ceto AI addresses critical pain points that plague modern shipping companies and insurers. Many operators lack real-time visibility into engine health, forcing them to rely on reactive maintenance and exposing them to unexpected failures. Additionally, manual and inconsistent emissions tracking poses serious challenges in meeting IMO and EU environmental compliance, often resulting in regulatory penalties. Insurers, on the other hand, face data scarcity, limiting their ability to accurately assess vessel risk, leading to flat-rate premiums that don’t reflect operational reality. These inefficiencies result in increased operational costs, lower equipment reliability, delayed voyages, and misaligned insurance models.

Ceto AI has secured approximately $6.6 million in funding to accelerate its global expansion. In October 2023, the company raised £1.5 million (~$1.8 million) in a pre-seed round led by Howden Ventures, with support from Chaucer Group, Founders Factory, and the Business Investors Group. This was followed by a $4.8 million seed round in April 2025, led by U.S.-based Dynamo Ventures, with continued backing from Howden Ventures and new investors such as Signal Ventures, Motion Ventures, and Chaucer. The funding supports product development, international market entry, and broader adoption of performance-linked maritime insurance solutions.

Ceto AI is at the forefront of digital transformation in the maritime industry, redefining how fleets manage risk, sustainability, and operations. Its ability to turn raw machine data into actionable insights enables shipowners to reduce downtime, comply with environmental regulations, and cut insurance costs while helping insurers price risk more accurately. With strong leadership, proven technology, and fresh funding, Ceto AI is well positioned to lead the maritime sector into a new era of smarter, safer, and greener shipping.

References 

Ceto AI About Us. Ceto AI Official Website. https://ceto.ai/about 

Ceto AI News: Ceto raises seed round. Ceto AI Official Website. https://ceto.ai/news/ceto-raises-seed-round 

Maritime AI startup Ceto secures $4.8M to expand its data-driven insurance product. PR Newswire. April 30, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/maritime-ai-startup-ceto-secures-4-8m-to-expand-its-data-driven-insurance-product-transforming-risk-selection–operational-efficiency-at-sea-302441532.html 

Ceto raises $4.8M to navigate future of maritime insurance with AI-powered precision. Tech Funding News. April 30, 2025. https://techfundingnews.com/ceto-raises-4-8m-to-navigate-future-of-maritime-insurance-with-ai-powered-precision 

Ceto raises funds to enhance data-driven maritime insurance platform. Finance Yahoo News. April 30, 2025.https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ceto-raises-funds-enhance-data-121433606.html 

Howden Group Holdings – Howden Ventures: Ceto Case Study. https://www.howdengroupholdings.com/about-us/howden-ventures/case-studies/ceto 

Ceto raises $4.8M to expand development of AI maritime insurance platform.” Smart Maritime Network. April 30, 2025. https://smartmaritimenetwork.com/2025/04/30/ceto-raises-4-8m-to-expand-development-of-ai-maritime-insurance-platform 

PitchBook Company Profile – Ceto AI. https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/535315-24 

Contributor : Dyah Ayuning Tyas

Reviewer     : Imam Buchari, David Ratner