We're building the future of maintenance at sea
Maritime is one of the most globally significant industries in the world. Around 80% of global trade moves by sea, yet many decisions that keep vessels operating safely and efficiently are still made using fragmented, low-resolution, and outdated data.
We believe the industry deserves better.
Our story
Ceto was born out of frustration - and deep respect for shipping.
Our founder, Tony Hildrew, began his career in ship engine rooms before moving ashore as a fleet manager. Years spent operating and managing vessels revealed a clear gap: while vast amounts of machinery data existed onboard, very little of it was being used to prevent problems before they happened.
In practice, failures rarely occur without warning. They are almost always preceded by subtle mechanical shifts - changes in performance or behaviour that traditional approaches struggle to detect or interpret in time. Yet across the industry, age is still often used as a proxy for risk, despite the reality that age does not equal condition.
As onboard connectivity improved and vessels increasingly came online, the opportunity became clear. If machinery data could be analysed, and understood in real time, the industry could shift from reactive maintenance to predictive maintenance.
Our core thesis is simple: understanding how close a vessel is to mechanical failure can greatly reduce lost time incidents, improve fleet operations and reduce days off hire.
That belief became Ceto.
And yes - we genuinely love ships. That passion runs through everything we build.
Where we come from
Ceto, named after the Greek goddess of the sea, embodies the vastness, power, and mystery of the oceans.
As a company dedicated to maritime innovation, we chose this name to reflect our deep connection to the industry and our mission to empower those who navigate it. Like the seas themselves, we believe in the importance of exploration, stewardship, and harnessing the power of data to create a more sustainable future.
In April 2025, Ceto secured a $4.8 million Seed round led by a US-based venture capital firm specialising in logistics and transportation, building on £1.5 million in pre-seed funding raised in 2023.
Our headquarters sits on the banks of the Tyne, a region steeped in maritime innovation and rich with history. This heritage inspires our work as we push the boundaries of what's possible in the industry. With an additional office in London, one of the world’s leading hubs for global shipping and maritime services. This combination keeps us close to both operational reality and industry decision-makers.
With over 55 years of combined experience in the maritime and software industries, we’re a team of world-class engineers, creatives, and maritime veterans. United by a shared belief that the future can always be brighter—no matter how treacherous the voyage—we’re pushing the limits of what's possible.
Executive leadership
Tony Hildrew
CEO and Founder
Tony has over a decade of maritime experience, progressing from junior engineer to Chief Engineer on commercial ships and superyachts. Ashore, he managed vessels and led new build and refit projects before founding Ceto.
Ben Harrison
CTO
While studying Economics at university, Ben founded his first start-up, Mango Bikes, and organically expanded it to over £1m in revenue. Since then, Ben has worked in a variety of technical and operational leadership roles, most recently as CTO at a US blockchain startup.
Bob Clarkson
Chief Underwriting Officer
Bob brings over 30 years of experience in marine insurance, with a career spanning claims, underwriting, and risk management roles across the Lloyd’s market and the wider shipping industry. He has led claims and underwriting teams, contributed to market guidance as a Joint Hull Committee member, and managed insurance for a fleet of tankers. He has also served as an expert witness in marine insurance disputes.
We're always on the look out for brilliant people to join our growing team.
If you like the idea of working in a crazy-committed, hard working, creative team, then we'd love to hear from you, even if your perfect role isn't currently listed.
Our solution
Hoults Yard
Mailing Exchange
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE6 2HL
United Kingdom
CetoAI is a private limited company registered in England and Wales with company registration number 12472339.
The registered office is at Hoults Yard, Mailing Exchange, Walker Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, NE6 2HL.
© 2026