Sources : https://tecpier.vc/#mission

Maritime and logistics startups often face significant challenges beyond just securing capital. The industry’s traditionally conservative nature makes it difficult for innovators to gain trust and access to key stakeholders such as shipowners, logistics providers, and supply chain leaders. Startups also struggle with navigating complex regulatory environments and integrating their technologies into established, fragmented maritime ecosystems. Limited operational support and a lack of strategic guidance can hinder early-stage companies from scaling effectively. Without strong networks and industry expertise, many promising solutions risk slow adoption or failure to reach critical markets.

TecPier VC is a Hamburg-based venture capital firm founded in 2018 with a clear mission to drive digital transformation in the maritime, logistics, and supply chain industries. Unlike generalist investors, TecPier focuses exclusively on early stage B2B technology startups, particularly those at the pre seed and seed stages. By combining venture funding with hands-on operational support, strategic guidance, and access to an extensive international maritime network, the firm positions itself as more than just a source of capital, it acts as a partner in growth. 

Its location in Hamburg, one of the world’s leading shipping hubs, gives TecPier direct proximity to global industry players, enabling it to connect promising startups with shipowners, logistics providers, and supply chain leaders. This unique blend of capital, expertise, and ecosystem access allows TecPier to accelerate the adoption of innovative technologies in a sector that has historically been resistant to rapid change.

TecPier launched operations with backing from key players like Zeaborn Group, BitStone Capital, and Inno Real. It was created to support and scale digital business models specifically within the maritime and shipping industries, specifically targeting pre-seed and seed rounds by offering “smart money”; the blending of funding, strategic guidance, global networks, and operational support. 

TecPier’s founding team includes seasoned industry experts:

• Johannes Winkler: A maritime industry veteran with over a decade’s experience at companies like Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and Rickmers Reederei. 
• Mehdi Afridi and Konstantin Loebner: Digital business model developers with a track record including the legal-tech venture “WirkaufendeinenFlug.de”. 

Another key figure, Tim Reinsch, served as Managing Partner at TecPier and, since May 2024, also holds a prominent role at British venture firm Tufton VC though he continues overseeing TecPier operations. 

Startups supported by TecPier gain access to pre-seed and seed funding, but equally important, they receive strategic guidance, industry-specific mentorship, and operational support to help scale their businesses. With its deep roots in Hamburg’s maritime ecosystem, TecPier opens doors to an extensive global network of shipowners, logistics providers, and supply chain leaders, creating opportunities for pilots, partnerships, and customer acquisition. The company also provides collaborative co working spaces, enabling founders to grow within a dynamic innovation environment. Its investment focus centers on digital solutions that drive transformation in shipping and logistics, including areas such as online marketplaces, energy efficiency technologies, AI driven analytics, and augmented or extended reality tools that enhance operational efficiency. 

From its inception, TecPier has been backed by a strong foundation of strategic investors drawn from both the shipping and venture capital industries. One of its earliest supporters was the Zeaborn Group, a Bremen-based global shipping company that brought deep domain knowledge and access to the maritime ecosystem. Another key partner was BitStone Capital, a Cologne-based venture capital firm known for its focus on digital business models and real asset related innovations. Additionally, Inno Real, a German investment entity with expertise in real estate and innovation, joined as an early backer, further strengthening TecPier’s financial base and operational network. These founding investors not only provided capital but also contributed industry credibility, international networks, and business building experience. Together, this diverse mix of maritime operators and venture builders positioned TecPier as a unique bridge between the traditional shipping world and the fast paced startup ecosystem.

A prime example of TecPier’s value creation can be seen in its investment in Closelink, a Hamburg-based digital platform that optimizes the global procurement of marine lubricants. Traditionally, ship operators relied on a fragmented and time consuming process to source these essential supplies, often facing inefficiencies and unnecessary costs. Recognizing this challenge, Closelink developed a digital marketplace to streamline transactions and improve transparency. TecPier stepped in not only as an investor but also as a strategic partner, connecting the startup with leading shipping companies and providing industry insight that helped refine its go-to-market approach. With TecPier’s backing, Closelink was able to scale its operations, expand its network of suppliers, and gain credibility within the conservative maritime sector.

Beyond Closelink, TecPier has supported other innovative ventures such as NautilusLog, a digital logbook platform that replaces traditional paper records onboard vessels, and Flowfox, a company developing solutions for data driven logistics optimization. In each case, TecPier’s involvement has gone beyond capital mentorship, operational expertise, and introductions to maritime stakeholders have accelerated these startups’ ability to gain traction in a historically slow moving industry. This hands-on model highlights TecPier’s role not just as a funder but as a true catalyst for maritime innovation.

Daftar Pustaka

BitStone Capital. (2018). TecPier – New maritime technology investor and venture builder starts operations. https://www.bitstone.capital

Startup City Hamburg. (2023). 3 Hamburg Venture Capital Companies with an Industry Focus. https://startupcity.hamburg

Vestbee. (2025). TecPier VC profile. https://www.vestbee.com

PitchBook. (2025). TecPier Investor Profile. https://pitchbook.com

Hansa News. (2024). TecPier CEO Tim Reinsch joins investor Tufton. https://hansa.news

TecPier. (n.d.). TecPier invests in Closelink. https://tecpier.vc

JOC. (2019). TecPier plans digital-focused maritime investments.  https://www.joc.com

Contributor : Dyah Ayuning Tyas

Reviewer : Imam Buchari