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Mapsea

Category: AI in Supply Chain / Logistics

An AI-powered maritime digital twin navigation and big data platform designed to digitize vessel operations through real-time data integration, augmented reality (AR), and predictive analytics. Mapsea was founded in 2020. The company is led by Jisoo Kim. Based in Busan, South Korea. Team size: 11-50. Total funding raised: $3.0M+. Latest round: Strategic Investment (Oct 2025). Key investors include VC Ventures, Magna Investment, Hana Securities, BNK Venture Investment, IBK Corporate Bank.

Founded
2020
Headquarters
Busan, South Korea
Team size
11-50
Total funding
$3.0M+

Value proposition

Enhances maritime safety and operational efficiency by providing real-time navigation insights through AR, reducing fuel consumption via optimized routing, and localizing mission-critical navigation software to reduce dependence on foreign technology.

Products and solutions

mapsea NAVIGATION: An AR-based mobile and bridge navigation application for real-time situational awareness., mapsea CONNECT: An all-in-one maritime big data platform integrating ship performance and environmental data., Digital Twin Ship Operation Support Platform: A certified simulation environment for vessel management and safety., Marine Carbon Finance ETS Solution: A solution for monitoring emissions and managing maritime carbon credits (presented at SMM Hamburg)., ICT Sea Farm Platform: A sustainable 'Sea Ranch' platform utilizing oyster shells and IoT for aquaculture management.

Unique value

Founded by a 'navigator-turned-entrepreneur' with over 60 years of combined seafaring experience in the core team, allowing the AI to be trained on practical, high-fidelity maritime logic rather than just theoretical data.

Target customer

Global shipping companies, commercial vessel owners, maritime logistics operators, port authorities, and aquaculture/fishing farm managers.

Industries served

Maritime Shipping & Logistics, Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, Ocean Data Analytics, Sustainable Aquaculture, Green Tech (Carbon Management)

Technology advantage

Leverages a massive proprietary dataset of over 150 billion maritime data points and utilizes AR technology to visualize complex AIS (Automatic Identification System) and environmental data directly onto the navigator's view, significantly reducing human error.

How they differentiate

Differentiates through a 'navigator-centric' approach, founded by former Merchant Marine Officers. Unlike competitors focusing on fixed heavy bridge hardware, Mabsie (Mapsea) offers portable, AR-based navigation (Mapsea Connect) and utilizes a massive proprietary dataset of over 150 billion maritime data points for real-time digital twin simulations.

Main competitors

Avikus (HD Hyundai), Orca AI, Sea Machines Robotics

Key partnerships

RightShip: First Korean company to secure an official strategic partnership for real-time safety scoring., SK Telink: Collaboration on global maritime satellite communications and navigation market expansion., Korean Register (KR) & G-Marine Service: Tri-party MOU for maritime digital transformation., CIRM (International Association for Marine Electronics Companies): International technical collaboration., CMA CGM & ZEBOX: Global maritime accelerator and industry network partnership.

Notable customers

RightShip, SK Telink, Korean Register (KR), G-Marine Service

Major milestones

CES 2026 Innovation Award Winner (Enterprise Tech - Digital Twin Navigation), CES 2025 Innovation Award Winner (Smart City - Maritime Big Data), Established strategic global partnership with RightShip (2025), Selected for Deep Tech TIPS (Tech Incubator Program for Startups) in Korea (2023), Opened European headquarters in Germany and Asia-Pacific hub in Singapore (2023-2024)

Growth metrics

Reached an estimated ARR of ₩1B+ ($750K+) in 2025; expanded global footprint with offices in Hamburg and Singapore.

Market positioning

Maritime AI and Digital Twin disruptor specializing in autonomous navigation support and marine big data.

Geographic focus

South Korea, European Union (Germany branch), Asia-Pacific (Singapore branch), and North America.

Patents and IP

Obtained 'Approval in Principle' (AIP) from the Korean Register (KR) for its Digital Twin-Based Ship Operation Support Platform; holds multiple patents related to AR-based maritime navigation and ship data processing (IP-R&D certified).

About Jisoo Kim

Jisoo Kim is a former Merchant Marine Officer with extensive seafaring experience at Iino Marine Service Co., Ltd. (Japan). He identifies as a 'navigator-turned-entrepreneur' who recognized critical inefficiencies in maritime bridge operations and paper-based logistics. He holds a Master's degree in Offshore Plant from Korea Maritime & Ocean University (KMOU). Under his leadership, Mapsea has transitioned from a local startup to a global maritime AI innovator, securing high-profile international partnerships and consecutive CES Innovation Awards.

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