Freshflow Raises $10M, CENSE Gets €6.5M, UniSea Acquires Kaiko

In a significant move to tackle global food waste, Berlin-based startup Freshflow has successfully closed a $10 million funding round. The investment was led by Reimann Investors and IBB Ventures, with participation from existing backers including Capnamic, caesar Ventures, World Fund, Venture Stars, and Catatumbo Capital. This latest infusion brings Freshflow's total funding to approximately €18 million, underscoring strong investor confidence in its mission.

Founded in 2021 by Carmine Paolino and Avik Mukhija, Freshflow leverages advanced machine learning to automate and optimize the replenishment of fresh food inventory. This technology aims to drastically reduce spoilage by ensuring that retailers and food service providers have precisely the right amount of stock. The new capital will fuel the company's strategic expansion initiatives, allowing it to scale its operations and reach a wider market. Prior to this round, key stakeholders included World Fund with a 15.7% stake, Capnamic holding 14.8%, and Venture Stars with 8.9%.

In parallel, Swiss FinTech CENSE has secured €6.5 million to bolster its crypto-compliance platform for financial institutions. The round was spearheaded by G+D Ventures, the investment arm of the G+D Group, alongside Rabo Investments, the investment division of Rabobank, and several angel investors. CENSE, established in 2023 by Dennis Wohlfarth and Hugo Leijtens, provides banks and financial entities with crucial transparency into their clients' digital asset activities and ensures regulatory adherence. The funds are earmarked for expanding CENSE's European presence.

The maritime technology sector also saw activity as Norwegian firm UniSea acquired Berlin-based Kaiko Systems. This strategic acquisition, backed by a substantial capital injection from Adelis Equity, aims to integrate Kaiko Systems' AI-driven solutions for the shipping and heavy industry sectors into UniSea's maritime software offerings. Kaiko Systems, founded in 2020, focuses on enhancing safety, regulatory compliance, and maintenance through intelligent technology. Previous investors in Kaiko Systems included Hi inov, Flashpoint Venture Growth, and Motion Ventures, who collectively invested €6 million in the company, bringing its total funding to around €9 million. Flagship Founders, a Berlin-based venture studio, was also a notable shareholder.

Beyond these larger deals, the startup ecosystem witnessed further investment. Gaming startup Honig Games, founded in 2025 by former Wooga and MetaBit Games professionals Alasdair McMaster and Renan Weber, received an undisclosed sum from Swedish games investor Behold Ventures and IBB Ventures. The company is developing puzzle games, with its debut title, Bistro Bay, already in the pipeline. Additionally, atlea, a sports nutrition venture targeting women, attracted an undisclosed investment from notable figures including serial entrepreneur Roman Kirsch, who previously founded Lesara. Founded in 2025 by Yazmina Cabrera and Max Wöber, atlea aims to provide specialized nutrition for female athletes.

These diverse transactions highlight a dynamic investment climate across multiple sectors, from sustainability and fintech to specialized B2B software and consumer-focused ventures. The continued flow of capital into innovative startups, particularly those addressing clear market needs like food waste reduction and regulatory compliance in emerging financial technologies, signals robust investor appetite for disruptive solutions. The consolidation within the maritime tech space also points towards a maturing industry seeking synergistic growth.