Kanda is a Danish company that develops digital training solutions using virtual reality in the maritime and energy sectors. Following the completion of the EU BlueInvest Readiness Assistance programme, the start-up successfully raised $2 million from strategic investors. New training solutions are essential for the blue economy labour market where the energy transition is already resulting in job vacancies - up to 30% of offshore renewable energy companies are complaining of either the unavailability of the skills they need or a shortage of existing skills. By 2030, the number of jobs in the offshore wind energy sector alone might triple.

EU support to reduce the skills gaps in the blue economy

Through its communication “on a new approach for a sustainable blue economy in the EU – Transforming the EU's Blue Economy for a Sustainable Future”, the European Commission emphasised the necessity to reduce the skills gaps and increase training offers, to boost innovation, greening and digitalisation in blue economy sectors. Consistent with the later, the Commission is putting forward concrete activities in this respect, such as support through the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) and the new Blue Careers Call.

Beyond that, with its BlueInvest initiative, the Commission also directly addresses the skills gap in the blue economy notably by supporting SMEs developing trainings in the sector through customised coaching, visibility, access to investors and investment-readiness advice.

Virtual reality to make certificate training collaborative, engaging and cost-effective

Founded in 2010, Kanda was among the first batch of companies benefiting from the BlueInvest Readiness Assistance programme. The SME focuses on providing easily accessible education and certified training in heavy industries and develops immersive digital learning applications that enable collaborative teamwork across various platforms. Kanda uses virtual reality to make certificate training collaborative, engaging, and cost-effective. With a concept of training in the maritime and energy sectors, the digital platform offers classroom learning with interactive scenarios that can handle simulations and can be configured based on the skill level of the user.

BlueInvest – coaching and connecting companies with investors

When applying to the BlueInvest Readiness Assistance programme in 2020, Kanda was seeking funding for an online training platform they were developing with several maritime stakeholders to provide virtual training adapted to the needs of the companies in the sector including among others security procedures training or installation procedures in the offshore renewables sector. Following the company’s selection to the Readiness Assistance programme, a BlueInvest coach worked with the team on their pitching skills and market and investment readiness. ‘Our BlueInvest Coach has been excellent in helping us improving our pitch skills and introducing us to a number of relevant investors in the sector’ says Kristian Emil Andreasen, CEO of Kanda. Following the completion of the Readiness Assistance programme, the start-up successfully raised $2 million from strategic investors from Singapore, namely the shipping company Eastern Pacific Shipping, joined by existing shareholders from Techstars. 

While still looking for funding, Kanda is currently focusing on internal and business development, including the development of procedures improving its efficiency as well as the creation of a marketplace.

Background

BlueInvest Readiness Assistance is an exclusive coaching programme for high potential EU start-ups and SMEs with innovative and sustainable products and solutions for the blue economy. Businesses and projects selected for Investment Readiness Assistance will receive coaching packages tailored specifically to their readiness levels and business objectives. The programme is impact-driven, with a clear focus on providing business support to help start-ups and SMEs build capacities for growth and attract investment.

Interested? Apply now by registering to the BlueInvest Community and completing the dedicated Readiness Assistance application form. The current application deadline is the 7^th of April 2023. For any questions, you can reach out to lu_blueinvest@pwc.com.

Kanda’s BlueInvest Experience: BlueInvest Community, BlueInvest Readiness Assistance, BlueInvest Pipeline, BlueInvest e-Pitch sessions, BlueInvest Day