New Zealand maritime technology company Sea-Flux has secured nearly NZ$3 million in strategic investment to accelerate the next phase of its international growth.

Sea-Flux delivers a cloud-based vessel management app that transforms the way vessels are operated – consolidating compliance, safety, maintenance, and crew management into one intuitive, mobile-first system with offline capabilities. Unlike traditional server-based tools, it enables full-crew engagement via smartphones and tablets, reducing costs, risks, and administrative burden.

The funding, led by Punakaiki Fund and joined by existing shareholders, will support further expansion in New Zealand, Australia, the UK, and the Middle East while also enabling it to enter new global markets. The funding will also be used to grow the team and accelerate product development.

To celebrate a major milestone, Sea-Flux recently hosted a visit from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, the Hon. Erica Stanford, David Seymour, and Nancy Lu. The event included a press conference where they discussed the government’s Active Investor Plus (AIP) Visa, a key program that facilitated this investment.

Founder and former superyacht skipper Tai Ellis created Sea-Flux after years of frustration with fragmented, manual systems at sea. Tai said: “Our vision has always been to make vessel operations safer, smarter, and more connected. This funding accelerates our ability to expand the global reach of New Zealand-built technology.”

Sea-Flux managing director Phil Martin said the raise marks a pivotal milestone. “From a family-driven idea to an international growth story, we now have the resources to scale our onboarding and global reach with a customer-centric service and optimised experience.”

The Sea-Flux story is as entrepreneurial as it is innovative. Tai’s parents, Vaughan Ellis and Sharon Brechelt, backed the early business, taking the road in a caravan to showcase the product and win customers.

That tenacity has helped Sea-Flux grow into one of the fastest-growing global solutions for marine vessel management, now trusted by more than 9,000 users over 1,300 vessels, including Coastguards, Harbour authorities, tug and barge, fishing and aquaculture fleets, ferry operators, tourism ventures, superyachts, and domestic commercial operators worldwide.

Sea-Flux’s innovation was last year recognised with the Innovation Award for Electronic and Electrical Systems by ECMA (European Commercial Marine Awards) at Seawork Expo, Europe’s largest commercial vessel exhibition held in Southampton, England.

Punakaiki Fund Investment manager Cormac McCullough said: “Tai and the Sea-Flux team have built a business we’ve admired for a while. We’re delighted to welcome them into the 2040 Ventures fold.

“The global commercial maritime sector is an enormous market with scope for innovation. Tai and his team bring years of experience with a deep understanding of their customers and what they value. The resulting product is absolutely best in class, and it brings genuine benefits to vessel owners and operators globally.”

Tom Culley, head of Investor Relations at 2040 Ventures, Punakaiki’s fund manager, said the Active Investor Plus Visa programme directly enabled the investment. He noted investor migrants had brought in well over $10m across its managed funds, unlocking investment into high-growth NZ companies like Sea-Flux.