The global import container logistics sector has long struggled with manual, error-prone processes that cause costly delays, administrative burdens, and security risks. Importers and ocean carriers face fragmented workflows, limited real-time visibility, and challenges integrating disparate systems, which often lead to expensive demurrage and storage fees. These inefficiencies not only reduce profitability but also complicate collaboration across the supply chain. Flowfox, a Hamburg-based technology venture, is revolutionizing this space by offering an API-first, real-time automation platform designed to streamline and standardize import container operations. By automating critical steps like container release, depot assignments, and payment processing, Flowfox drastically reduces manual effort, minimizes errors, and improves transparency for all participants in the import chain.

Originally founded in 2018 as Conlog UG by Moritz Dassing and Martin Orthen, the company rebranded to FlowFox GmbH in late 2018 early 2019, with serial entrepreneur Patrick Pehmöller joining as co-founder in 2019. Since then, Flowfox has steadily developed and launched a range of automation products and secured multiple funding rounds starting with pre-seed in late 2019, a seed round in December 2020, followed by another in 2021, and a substantial Pre A/Series A round in January 2025.

Flowfox delivers an all-in-one import automation platform tailored for ocean carriers, freight forwarders, and beneficial cargo owners (BCOs), offering global end-to-end standardization of container import operations. The platform automates key processes including import container release, drop-off depot assignment, drop-off change, container reuse, container pick-up change, C/H (consignment/haulage) instructions, demurrage, detention & storage calculation, and real time payments with each module configurable and activatable according to customer needs. Leveraging API-first architecture and optical character recognition (OCR), the system integrates seamlessly with transport management systems (TMS) while keeping sensitive information such as PINs secure through encrypted transmission and protected storage, ensuring both efficiency and security. By reducing manual workload by up to 90 %, clearing imports on time, avoiding storage charges, and mitigating errors and disputes, Flowfox not only streamlines operations it also boosts profitability and transparency for all participants in the import chain

Flowfox has secured a series of successful financing rounds since its inception: a six-figure pre-seed round in November 2019, followed by seven figure seed rounds in December 2020 and December 2021, and most recently a €7 million pre A (Series A) round in January 2025. The latest round was led by Hamburg-based MobilityFund, who had already supported Flowfox as an existing investor. In addition to MobilityFund, the company’s investor roster includes strategic venture arms such as Signal Ventures based in both Athens (Greece/UK) and Australia as well as theDOCK and TecPier. These investors span Europe, bolstering Flowfox’s strong roots and reach within the continental logistics and maritime technology ecosystem. To date, Flowfox has raised approximately $7.29 million across two formal rounds, with the majority being the Series A on January 23, 2025. Converting the €7 million latest round at rough parity gives consistency with that total.

In June 2024, Flowfox partnered with global shipping giant Hapag Lloyd and logistics leader Kuehne + Nagel to pilot its import container automation platform. The collaboration focused on streamlining the import container release process, a critical step often delayed by manual handling, fragmented communication, and security risks. By integrating Flowfox’s API first modules, both companies were able to replace error-prone email workflows with standardized, automated processes that provided real-time visibility and secure PIN management. The pilot demonstrated a reduction of up to 90% in manual effort while minimizing delays and financial losses from demurrage and storage fees. This case highlighted Flowfox’s ability to deliver tangible efficiency gains to some of the largest players in the shipping industry, validating its role as a transformative force in container logistics.

References

Flowfox. (2025). Company Timeline. https://www.flowfox.com/timeline/

Flowfox. (2025). Products & Solutions: https://www.flowfox.com/products/

Flowfox. (2025). Press Release: Financing Round 2025. https://www.flowfox.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Financing-round-2025.pdf

Startup City Hamburg. (2025). Flowfox Receives 7 Million Euros in Financing Round. https://startupcity.hamburg/news-events/news/flowfox-receives-7-million-euros-in-financing-round

Startup City Hamburg. (2023). Flowfox Closes Seven-Figure Funding Round. https://startupcity.hamburg/news-events/news/flowfox-closes-seven-figure-funding-round

Tracxn. (2025). Flowfox Company Profile. https://tracxn.com/d/companies/flowfox 

PitchBook. (2025). Flowfox GmbH Company Overview. https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/453527-56

Hafen Hamburg. (2024). Flowfox GmbH Profile. https://www.hafen-hamburg.de/en/address/flowfox-gmbh/

Prologue Solutions. (2021). Investing in the Future: Prologue Participates in Flowfox. https://prologue-solutions.com/en/2021/02/11/investing-in-the-future-prologue-participates-in-flowfox/

Leads on Trees. (2025). Revolutionizing Import Automation: Flowfox Secures €7M in Funding. https://www.leadsontrees.com/news/revolutionizing-import-automation-flowfox-secures-7m-in-funding-to-empower-ocean-carriers

Contributor : Dyah Ayuning Tyas

Reviewer : Imam Buchari