I know it takes so much hard work to build a tech company. I know we will make mistakes and that we even might fail because, unfortunately, there is no guide like "Follow this instruction manual, and we guarantee you will be able to build a successful tech startup."
However, I have learned some hard lessons from my previous tech startups. I truly believe that passion, network, and a lot of hard work together with a great and unified team, will be some of our advantages when we start building our company.
I have been working within the maritime industry for almost the whole of my life. I have been working with chartering, operation, S&P, financing, educational programs, projects looking into the export of freshwater from Norway, and how to utilize the Northern Searoute for export of iron ore from Kirkenes in Norway to Shanghai in China.
I want to develop and distribute a user-friendly and intelligent software that assists ship owners, shipbrokers and operators in optimizing and managing their commercial decisions, from their mobile phones, tablets or laptops/desktops, at very affordable prices. On a basic level; instead of papers, you can add information and notes in your Maritime Optima. Instead of adding information about vessels several times, you have one place to search, add, store, and reuse vessel data and to share your data
If you combine public available information, like high quality processed AIS data and models, with you company's data, you can save hours each day and achieve so much more. My dream is to create a software releasing more time for value-creating work and building value network because digitalization is about strengthening knowledge and competence. In a world being digitalized, it becomes even more important to be skilled in a subject and to work in teams.
Before we decided to get started Maritime Optima (SafeSeaway) we did a thoroughly mapping of the software in use, and how the companies organize their work. We visited many ship-operating companies, shipowners and shipbrokers. We interviewed people, and discussed our ideas with them.
Sow will we succeed? No one knows what the future will bring but I like to quote Brett Fox, a serial entrepreneur from San Francisco, where he says in one of his blogposts:
"If you want your startup to win, the essential part of building your startup is not:
The market you choose, the product(s) you sell, nor the amount of money you raise, but it's the company culture! Your team's belief in the company, and more importantly, their loyalty to the company will be a huge determining factor."
So then, here we go again :-)
Enjoy May 2019!
More updates will follow.
Kristin Omholt-Jensen
