Eniram, A Finnish startup providing dynamic decision support systems for the shipping industry, has closed a five milliong euro investment round.
The company does not operate in the consumer web remit, but when the mainstream press is doing its best to fuel the economic despair we want to show that every coin has two sides and that great startups will always find funding. In fact, now that the tougher times weed out the clones and other cowboys who’re in it for a quick buck it’s a lot easier to get your message our there and find that smart money you need.
In the same spirit, great ideas know no boundaries either and best opportunities wait at the intersection of different industries be it micromessage systems, ship building or clean tech.
In Eniram’s case the investment will allow the company to increase the pace of expansion of its global sales, distribution and support operations. Stronger presence in key markets will help Eniram respond to the growing demand for the company’s flagship product Dynamic Trimming Assistant (DTA), introduced in July 2008 to the global maritime market.
Eniram DTA helps vessel officers optimize trim at all times, minimizing water resistance, decreasing fuel consumption, and reducing emissions. The system continuously collects and displays real-time data of the vessel attitude, allowing timely action in changing circumstances. The key metrics are brought to vessel officers in an easy-to-read graphic form, to facilitate faster and better informed decision-making.
The investment round closed in December 2008 was led by Ferd Venture, one of Norway’s leading venture capital investors focused on ICT companies in the Nordic region. Other investors include Conor Venture Partners, a Finnish early-stage technology venture capital firm, and Finnish Industry Investment, a government-owned investment company. Conor Venture Partners previously invested in Eniram in the company’s Series A funding round in March 2008.
It’s shitty time to build your career in almost any big company as they need to cut cost and tighten the screw in every possible way. Hell, even Google is cutting the perks and laying off part-time workers. This makes it an ideal time to give that idea of yours a shot. Don’t quit your day job, but build a proto during the weekend and even during the week when your employer is not looking. When the old methods are not working everyone is looking for new alternatives, which makes it an ideal time to bring your proto to the investors to see.
Arch Red Oy
Lumi Group Oy
iasy
Excellent post, I like the way you spread the positive love. In my opinion its too much “Disaster” news nowadays, the classical media focuses to heavy on bad news – companies going bankrupt, laying off workers, etc. If you hear and see all the time only misery, its no wonder if people start to be miserable.
Also, great way to motivate people to try and do their own thing, and becoming entrepreneurs!
The environment is actually more exciting right now.
Thanks guys! I think it’s ok for the press to let us know what’s happening, but lately the headlines have been nothing but link baits. The press is what it is and the economics have hit them especially hard, but it still doens’t justify the negative cycle they are, knowingly or not, fuelling.
The amount of bad loans was significant, but now we’re talking about a global interlinked economy, which depends on the general sentiment (of consumers willingness to spend money) that re-enforces itself, which ever way it’s going. Here the press playes a major role. Most people should still be able to cope fine even if wight a little less luxuries, but by re-enforcing the negative sentiment even those people who would otherwise be just fine stop buying-. This just makes the matters worse. The worse possible scenario is when people stop believing. And right now, as before, there is no reason to not believe. In fact, there’s all the reasons to believe especially if you’re a startup.