Dutch AI data platform Helin has successfully secured a $11.7 million growth investment to enhance its global presence and platform capabilities. The funding round, led by venture capital firm FORWARD.one, will fuel the company's expansion in key industrial sectors. This strategic investment underscores the growing demand for advanced edge computing solutions in managing critical remote assets and infrastructure.
Advancing Industrial Operations with Edge AI
Helin provides a unified platform that brings artificial intelligence directly to industrial equipment, replacing fragmented software and slow cloud-based analytics. Its technology runs on-site on assets like offshore platforms and vessels, integrating hardware, software, and connectivity. This approach allows for rapid application deployment without requiring significant changes to existing IT infrastructure for its clients.
A key advantage of Helin's system is its ability to operate continuously, even when internet connectivity is lost or intermittent. This ensures that critical decisions can be made in real-time in remote environments where delays are unacceptable. The platform is vital for industries such as renewable energy, maritime, and oil and gas, where operational continuity is paramount.
Fueling International Expansion and Platform Development
The new capital injection is earmarked for scaling Helin's international sales capacity and advancing its platform development. Co-founder and CPTO Martijn Handels stated that the investment enables faster deployments while upholding strict standards for security and performance. This focus will help the company meet the needs of its growing enterprise client base across the globe.
Investor confidence is high, with FORWARD.one Partner Paul Pruijmboom noting that Helin has already proven its value with demanding clients. He emphasized that the platform is successfully deployed, expanding, and retained by major industrial customers. Pruijmboom added that this investment is primarily focused on accelerating sales execution and supporting large-scale enterprise rollouts.
A Trajectory of Rapid Growth and Market Leadership
Helin has demonstrated remarkable growth, with its signed Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) increasing twelve-fold over the past three years. The company now employs over eighty people and serves a roster of global operators, including Boskalis, Shell, and BP. These clients utilize the platform to enhance safety, improve efficiency, and reduce their environmental footprint across mission-critical operations.
Looking ahead, Helin aims to become the world's leading development platform for industrial AI applications, with the ultimate goal of achieving unicorn status. Handels confirmed that the company is already an international market leader in the oil and gas sector. The new funding will be instrumental in extending this leadership position to the other key industries it serves.
This $11.7 million investment marks a pivotal moment for Helin, providing the resources to scale its proven edge AI technology on a global stage. By strengthening its sales force and enhancing its platform, the company is well-positioned to drive the next wave of digital transformation in heavy industry. The move solidifies Helin's role as a key enabler of safer, more efficient, and sustainable industrial operations worldwide.