Shone makes existing cargo ships autonomous through retrofit.
Shone has raised $4.0M across 1 funding round.
Key people at Shone.
Shone was founded by Ugo Vollmer (Founder/CEO) and Antoine de Maleprade (Founder/CTO).
Shone has raised $4.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Key people at Shone.
Shone was founded by Ugo Vollmer (Founder/CEO) and Antoine de Maleprade (Founder/CTO).
Shone has raised $4.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Shone's investors include 500 Global, Chloe Sladden, Astella, C3 Ventures, CP Ventures, Crosslink Capital, Hack VC, Moxxie Ventures, Red Sea Ventures, Red Swan Ventures, Ribbit Capital, RRE Ventures.
Shone is a startup specializing in making existing cargo ships autonomous through retrofit technology. It develops AI-powered control systems and hardware that integrate with conventional vessels, enhancing navigation safety, situational awareness, and crew efficiency without requiring new ship builds. Shone serves shipping companies by upgrading their fleets to autonomous capabilities, addressing problems such as watchkeeper fatigue, accident prevention, and operational inefficiencies. The company has demonstrated growth momentum through partnerships with major industry players like CMA CGM and secured seed funding of around $4.2 million before being acquired by Bedrock Ocean Exploration[1][2][3][4][6].
Founded in 2017 by Ugo Vollmer (CEO) and Antoine de Maleprade (CTO) in San Francisco, Shone emerged from the founders’ vision to apply autonomous technologies—originally developed for self-driving cars and drones—to the maritime sector. The idea was to retrofit existing cargo ships rather than build new autonomous vessels, making the transition more cost-effective and scalable. Early traction included a pioneering pilot in 2018 where Shone equipped a containership with situational awareness technology in collaboration with CMA CGM, marking a pivotal moment that validated their approach[3][4][5].
Shone rides the growing trend of maritime automation driven by the need to improve safety, reduce operational costs, and address crew shortages in global shipping. The timing is critical as the shipping industry faces increasing pressure to decarbonize and digitize operations. By enabling retrofit autonomy, Shone lowers barriers for fleet modernization, accelerating the adoption of autonomous technologies in a traditionally conservative sector. This contributes to a broader ecosystem shift where AI and robotics enhance maritime logistics, influencing regulatory frameworks and industry standards[2][3].
Following its acquisition by Bedrock Ocean Exploration, Shone’s technology is positioned to scale within a larger portfolio focused on ocean innovation. Future trends shaping its journey include advances in AI, sensor technology, and regulatory acceptance of autonomous vessels. As shipping companies increasingly prioritize sustainability and efficiency, Shone’s retrofit approach offers a pragmatic path to modernization. Its influence may grow by enabling hybrid human-autonomy operations that balance safety, cost, and crew welfare, potentially setting new benchmarks for autonomous shipping retrofit solutions[4].
Shone’s pioneering retrofit model exemplifies how autonomous technology can be pragmatically integrated into existing maritime infrastructure, signaling a transformative shift in cargo shipping operations.
Shone has raised $4.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $4.0M Seed in June 2018.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 1, 2018 | $4.0M Seed | 500 Global, Chloe Sladden, Astella, C3 Ventures, CP Ventures, Crosslink Capital, Hack VC, Moxxie Ventures, Red Sea Ventures, Red Swan Ventures, Ribbit Capital, RRE Ventures, Scribble Ventures, Slow Ventures, Y Combinator, Adam D'Angelo, Greg Brockman, Javier Olivan, Jeff Arnold, Louis Beryl, Mike Krieger |
