'Sea trains' secure funding
The Geneva-based start-up Fly-Box has secured nearly CHF 3 million in pre-seed funding to advance trials of its foil platforms designed for short-distance container transport, as the investment promotion agency for Western Switzerland (GGBa) has reported.
Founded in 2023 by Alain Thébault and Jean-Philippe Bouchaud, the company has developed a prototype and begun tests on Lake Geneva. According to the manufacturer the 20 m vessels are built to carry 40 ft containers of up to 30 t at speeds of 25 knots.
Operating in a 'sea train' formation, a piloted unit leads autonomously linked platforms, aiming to offer a low-emission alternative to trucks. The company is preparing a further CHF 1–1.5 million pre-seed round this autumn to finance new trials, including in Dubai. (js)