Hamburg-based startup SmartLoC has successfully closed its seed funding round, raising €1.8 million to revolutionize B2B payments in international trade. This investment will drive platform development, team expansion, and accelerate SmartLoC’s market strategy.
The funding round was led by High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) and included contributions from Greece-based Loggerhead Ventures, MBG Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaft Schleswig-Holstein mbH, and several business angels. Martin Möllmann, Senior Investment Manager at HTGF, expressed excitement about partnering with SmartLoC, emphasizing the team’s expertise and innovative approach.
Leveraging IoT and Blockchain
Founded in 2021 by Britta Balden, Thomas Kuhlke, and Alessandro Vaglini, the german startup aims to streamline the complex process of B2B payments in international trade through its cloud platform. Utilizing advanced technologies such as IoT, blockchain, and AI, SmartLoC provides businesses with secure and efficient solutions for managing cross-border transactions.
Britta Balden, CEO of SmartLoC, stated, “Securing this investment allows us to accelerate our platform development and scale our business. We are dedicated to offering a modern, efficient, and secure payment solution for the complexities of international trade.”
About High-Tech Gründerfonds
High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) finances tech startups with high growth potential, having supported over 750 startups since 2005. With its fourth fund managing around €1.4 billion, HTGF focuses on startups in digital tech, industrial tech, life sciences, chemistry, and related areas. The fund’s investors include the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, KfW Capital, and 45 companies from various industries.
With this significant funding, the startup is well-positioned to drive innovation and efficiency in the international trade payment sector, providing substantial value to businesses worldwide.