PortXL, the world’s first maritime startup accelerator, has announced its 2025 cohort. At the same time, the organisation is celebrating ten years of fostering innovation and driving technological advancements in the maritime industry.
Since its inception in 2015, PortXL has been at the forefront of connecting startups and scale-ups with industry-leading corporations, investors, and mentors, creating an ecosystem for growth and collaboration. Over the last ten years, 132 startups have been part of PortXL’s acceleration programme, boasting an impressive 83 per cent survival rate. Over EUR 191+ million of funding has been raised by its alumni.
‘Celebrating our tenth anniversary in 2025 is a testament to the need for innovation and the incredible community we’ve built,’ says Christel Pullens, Director a.i. of PortXL. ‘The maritime industry is undergoing a profound transformation, and our 2025 cohort represents the next wave of pioneers who will shape its future. We are excited to support them on their journey and connect them with our partners.’
Also read: PortXL welcomes 10 start-ups and scale-ups
2025 cohort
The 2025 acceleration programme received a high number of applications from around the globe. After a rigorous selection process, PortXL has chosen a diverse group of innovative startups poised to tackle some of the industry’s most pressing challenges.
The 2025 cohort will participate in an intensive 100-day programme designed to scale their businesses, refine their solutions, and secure strategic partnerships. Throughout the programme, they will benefit from mentorship and tailored support, as well as opportunities to pilot their technologies with partners in PortXL’s ecosystem, such as the Port of Rotterdam, GTT, Dutch Ministry of Defence, and the Municipality of Rotterdam.
The 2025 PortXL start-up and scale-up acceleration programme’s cohort consists of:
- 13 Mari (BG/USA), a startup specialising in novel drag reduction technology for ships. They develop and implement “Flowsmart” elements, ripple-shaped protrusions that attach to a vessel’s hull, reducing drag and improving fuel efficiency. This technology, inspired by natural structures like dunes and whale tubercles, helps control water flow around the hull. 13 Mari’s solutions are passive, always on, decoupled from the propulsor, and can be applied to both new and existing vessels with no off-hire.
- Amphitrite (FR) is specialised in advanced satellite and in-situ data, processed in real-time, for maritime decision-making. Their technological innovations are based on data fusion and artificial intelligence applied to the huge amount of satellite observations and in-situ data. They provide solutions for green shipping, defence, and environmental applications.
- Ayrton Energy (CAN) has developed its proprietary e-LOHC technology, enabling hydrogen to be stored and transported safely in a liquid form using existing fuel infrastructure. This breakthrough removes one of the biggest barriers to hydrogen adoption – costly, specialised distribution networks – and opens the door to rapid, scalable deployment worldwide.
- FibriTech (PL) biomanufactures 3D spatial biomaterials with advanced properties. Using proprietary technology, the high-performance, eco-friendly solutions address key challenges in agriculture, construction, oil spill cleanup, and environmental protection. The company produces sustainable materials that replace traditional synthetic alternatives.
- Flyability (CH) is developing drones to inspect industrial assets. Today, these inspections are still mostly carried out by workers who are put in dangerous situations by having to enter confined spaces or climb high up. Flyability aims to send drones to carry out these missions and remotely collect visual data, digital twins, and UTMs. Given the highly demanding environment in which they operate, the drones are surrounded by a cage to ensure collision tolerance.
- Hydrogenium (NL) presents a sustainable solution to the problem of PFAS contamination in surface water. The innovation is based on a circular, and biobased technology that utilises residual flows. The PFAS BioFilter is developed from locally sourced wood chips obtained from municipal green waste thereby contributing to a circular economy and environmental sustainability.
- NanoSieve (USA) offers proprietary gas remediation technology that both detects and actively removes flammable and toxic gases in real time—protecting lives, infrastructure, and critical assets while reducing emissions. Instead of just detecting and triggering alarms, the technology delays and prevents dangerous gas concentrations, reduces gas emissions, and maintains safe levels while ensuring compliance with rigorous industry standards. The applications include maritime, energy, utilities, transportation, C&I, defence, and oil & gas industries.
- SungreenH2 (SG) revolutionises electrolysis by leveraging proprietary nanomaterials and AI-driven design. This significantly boosts hydrogen production efficiency and cuts costs, enabling scalable green hydrogen production at a fraction of the price of traditional systems. Their core components for electrolyser cells are manufactured using proprietary advanced nanostructured materials integrated directly into the electrolyser components without using expensive platinum group metals.
- Wildcard: Newlight Blue (USA) is a shipping decarbonisation technology company that provides a plug-in hybrid system to convert existing diesel engines into hybrid hydrogen-diesel powerhouses, reducing fuel consumption by up to thirty per cent and cutting emissions significantly. The system works by injecting hydrogen into existing engine air intakes, improving fuel combustion and efficiency, offering a low-capital expenditure solution with a relatively quick return on investment.
Picture: The PortXL 2025 Cohort (photo by PortXL).
Also read: PortXL adds MoD’s innovation hub MINDbase as a partner
