Lazzaro One raises pre-seed to decode why ships behave suspiciously

What's the deal? Berlin-based Lazzaro One has raised a six-figure pre-seed round from B#, the pre-seed fund of IBB VenturesDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →. The money will fund its maritime intelligence platform, HUAX, plus technical and commercial expansion.

What's the endgame? Founded by Arsenio Longo and co-founder Maria Grazia Del Prete, Lazzaro One builds software to improve safety, efficiency, and sustainability in shipping. HUAX combines mathematical models and data analytics with behavioural psychology to interpret vessel activity and flag risks.

Why now? The maritime sector produces vast data, but filtering reliable signals is hard. Conventional systems can spot unusual vessel activity; explaining the reason behind it often requires further analysis.

One use case: detecting shadow fleets — vessels that manipulate tracking systems to evade sanctions. By analysing technical and behavioural anomalies, HUAX aims to help security authorities, shipping companies, and insurers identify risks, while also offering route forecasts and sea-state analyses.

"Many systems can identify unusual vessel behaviour. But only HUAX can explain clearly why," said Longo.

Where's it expanding? Lazzaro One will grow its Berlin headquarters as its main technology hub and open a Maritime Intelligence Desk in Naples to monitor the Mediterranean. It also plans to expand its development team and improve HUAX's data-processing capabilities.

The signal: As geopolitical tension puts sanctions enforcement and shadow fleets in focus, demand is rising for tools that explain vessel behaviour rather than just detect it. Lazzaro One is betting the maritime market wants interpretation, not more raw data.

Read more: Tech.eu

Image credit: Port of San Diego