Vake is a technology company.
Vake has raised $120K across 1 funding round.
Vake has raised $120K in total across 1 funding round.
Vake has raised $120K in total across 1 funding round.
Vake's investors include Far Out Ventures.
Vake is a Norwegian technology company specializing in machine learning-driven analysis of satellite imagery to deliver maritime domain awareness, detecting and tracking vessel activities including those hiding their positions.[1][2][4] It serves governmental authorities, offshore asset owners, ship insurers, and coast guards by providing dashboards for area monitoring, vessel tracking, and insights into illicit activities like environmental crimes, smuggling, or human trafficking.[1][3] The platform solves critical problems in maritime situational awareness by cross-referencing satellite data (e.g., Copernicus Sentinel-2) with AIS signals to identify "dark vessels" that evade traditional tracking, enhancing safety, security, and compliance.[1][3] Founded in 2017 (with some sources noting 2019), Vake raised $120K before Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) acquired a majority stake in March 2024, signaling strong growth momentum through integration with established satellite expertise.[1]
Vake emerged in 2017 in Oslo, Norway, as a machine learning innovator applying AI to satellite imagery for maritime applications, initially leveraging open data from the European Space Agency's Copernicus program.[1][3] Since 2018, the company focused on detecting vessel behaviors, including ships concealing their identity and activity, building robust ML capabilities for monitoring movements and hidden operations.[1] Key early traction came from developing a dashboard combining satellite detection with AIS cross-referencing, which gained adoption by entities like the Netherlands Coast Guard for expanded sea monitoring.[3] The pivotal March 2024 acquisition by KSAT marked a major milestone, combining Vake's AI strengths with KSAT's market knowledge to address challenges in maritime awareness, offshore protection, and shipping tracking.[1]
Vake rides the wave of AI-enhanced geospatial intelligence, capitalizing on surging demand for maritime domain awareness amid rising illicit sea activities, environmental regulations, and supply chain disruptions.[1][3] Timing aligns with proliferated satellite data from Copernicus and commercial providers, plus AI advancements enabling scalable vessel detection where radar or AIS fall short.[1][2][3] Favorable market forces include geopolitical tensions boosting offshore security needs and coast guards' push for multi-sensor automation, as seen in partnerships like the Netherlands Coast Guard.[3] Vake influences the ecosystem by pioneering satellite-AI fusion, inspiring similar tools for human trafficking detection or emissions monitoring, and accelerating industry adoption through KSAT's network.[1][3]
Vake's KSAT acquisition positions it for accelerated scaling, with next steps including SAR integration for 24/7 coverage, automated multi-sensor alerts, and geographic expansion to high-demand regions like the Americas and Australia.[1][3] Trends like denser satellite constellations, advanced AI for behavior prediction, and regulatory mandates for emissions tracking will propel growth, potentially evolving Vake into a full-spectrum maritime intelligence leader.[1][3] Its influence may expand by setting standards for AI in domain awareness, bridging open data with commercial solutions to transform global vessel monitoring from reactive to predictive. This maritime AI pioneer exemplifies how niche tech solves pressing real-world security gaps.
Vake has raised $120K across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $120K Seed in June 2020.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 1, 2020 | $120K Seed | Far Out Ventures |