Tackling a Deep Industry Need
In Africa, the ocean is more than just water, it’s opportunity. But for decades, that opportunity has remained largely untapped due to systemic challenges in the maritime sector: fragmented infrastructure, outdated systems, underfunded startups, and a lack of local innovation.
That’s why we started Innovate Maritime Africa (IMA); the continent’s first maritime venture studio dedicated to building scalable, commercially viable startups that solve real problems in Africa’s ocean economy.
So, what exactly is a maritime venture studio? And why does Africa need one now more than ever?
Let’s break it down.
Understanding the Venture Studio Model
A venture studio is a company that builds companies. Unlike accelerators or VCs that fund startups, studios create startups from scratch, supplying the initial idea, funding, structure, and operational muscle.
At IMA, we identify major challenges in the maritime space, design solutions, assemble expert teams, and then co-build ventures that are designed to last.
How We’re Different from Accelerators and VCs
| Feature | Venture Studio (IMA) | Accelerator | Venture Capital |
|---|---|---|---|
| Startup Origin | Studio-initiated ideas | Founder-led ideas | External investments |
| Involvement | Deep, hands-on co-building | Short-term support | Mostly financial |
| Stage | Pre-idea to Series A | Early-stage | Usually Seed+ |
| Funding + Team | Provided from Day 1 | Founder raises funds | Capital injection |
A studio isn’t just a platform—it’s a co-founder. That’s why we don’t just incubate ideas. We build real ventures.
What Makes a Venture Studio “Maritime”?
A maritime venture studio focuses exclusively on solving ocean economy problems—and in Africa, there’s no shortage of those. From port congestion to crew welfare, insurance gaps to environmental risk—our continent’s maritime space is ripe for innovation.
At IMA, we focus on areas like:
Port logistics and automation
Seafarer welfare platforms (e.g., Crew360)
Ship operations and compliance tech
Blue economy and ESG tools
Training and certification modernization
We’re building startups that don’t just digitize maritime processes—they reinvent them.
Why Africa Needs a Maritime Venture Studio Now
1. The Ocean Economy Is Africa’s Untapped Advantage
Africa has 38 coastal and island nations and over 47,000km of coastline. The African Union estimates the blue economy could contribute over $300 billion annually and create millions of jobs. But maritime innovation is still drastically underserved.
There’s an entire ecosystem waiting to be built.
2. The Infrastructure Gaps Are Opportunities in Disguise
Ports remain slow. Seafarers are under-supported. Legal frameworks are outdated. These aren’t just barriers—they’re invitations for innovation.
A studio like IMA turns these complex issues into clear startup opportunities.
3. Local Knowledge = Smarter Solutions
Global tech solutions often miss Africa’s unique maritime context. At IMA, our local grounding ensures we build with relevance, cultural understanding, and operational fit. We understand the region’s logistics, labor laws, and institutional gaps—because we’re from here.
4. The Time Is Now
Global shipping is undergoing massive shifts in automation, decarbonization, digitization, and so on. If Africa doesn’t start building its own future, it will import someone else’s.
That’s why IMA was founded; not to wait, but to lead.
IMA: Building, Not Just Backing
Since launching in late 2024, Innovate Maritime Africa has focused on a studio model that combines capital, operations, product strategy, legal, and go-to-market execution under one roof.
We don’t wait for perfect ideas. We start with the right questions and build from there.
One of our first ventures, Crew360, is already tackling seafarer welfare through an integrated, offline-first platform.
“We’re not chasing hype. We’re solving hard problems at scale, with local founders.”
— IMA Founding Team
A New Blueprint for Africa’s Ocean Economy
The ocean economy isn’t just about ports and ships, it’s about people, platforms, and policy. Through our venture studio model, IMA is helping build a modern, African-led maritime sector that’s globally competitive and locally grounded.
We believe Africa’s maritime future isn’t something we wait for—it’s something we build.
Are you ready to build with us?
Visit innovatemaritimeafrica.com to learn more about our ventures, studio model, and how to get involved.