A Teesside-based AI company supported by an innovative
accelerator programme has secured landmark deal with a global
technology specialist.
Middlesbrough firm Seer has sold its AI workflow platform Flytta
– a digital joint venture it runs with Casper Shipping – to
London-based AI technology company Sedna.
Flytta is an automated digital trade product which cuts customs
processing time for goods into the UK. It allows businesses to
process thousands of customs declarations instantly using AI
models.
Seer has been part of the Forge programme through Tees Valley Labs – a 12-week
accelerator delivered by Teesside business consultancy Alt Labs,
on behalf of the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority, which
has helped companies primed to scale up and attract significant
investment.
Flytta originated as an in-house solution at Casper Shipping,
designed to streamline internal operations before being further
refined and commercialised by Seer into a scalable AI-powered
workflow platform.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Having a company at the
cutting-edge of technology and trade striking a big international
deal is brilliant – and this shows the sheer amount of talent and
expertise we have on Teesside.
“There is a concerted push to put AI industries at the forefront
of how we grow as a nation – and this takeover shows how
businesses are forging ahead, developing and growing right on our
doorstep. It's also great that Seer has been part of our Forge
programme which has helped steer their growth and tapped into
their expertise.
“This is great news for Seer, Casper Shipping and Teesside – and
I hope Flytta continues to have more success on the back of this
takeover.”
The deal expands Sedna's UK presence with a new office in the
Tees Valley, with the company investing in the region's growing
AI talent base to accelerate product development.
The Flytta acquisition means Sedna now has six offices around the
globe in Athens, Cape Town, Copenhagen, London, Singapore and
Middlesbrough.
"We're excited to open our new Middlesbrough office, tapping into
the exceptional talent in Northern England to drive the next wave
of AI innovation in global trade," said Bill Dobie, CEO of Sedna.
"This investment strengthens our AI capabilities while
reinforcing the UK's position as a leader in digital trade
transformation."
Michael Shakesheff, MD of Casper Group, said: “Flytta began as an
internal innovation within Casper Shipping, addressing real-world
operational challenges.
“With Seer's expertise, it evolved into a scalable product, and
now, through Sedna's ambitious AI vision, it has the opportunity
to drive transformation across the broader maritime and trade
industries.”
Support for the Tees Valley Labs programme is fully funded by the
UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Imran Anwar, Tees Valley Business Board lead for the Digital
Economy and CEO and Founder of Alt Labs, said: "Sedna's
acquisition of Flytta marks a transformative step forward in the
use of AI in the global shipping industry. The development
of this technology highlights the groundbreaking digital work
taking place in the Tees Valley.
"Seer have been part of the Forge cohort of Tees Valley
Labs programme, and I'm delighted to see the groundbreaking
opportunities this partnership will bring to the growth of Seer,
and the longer-term growth in the Tees Valley.
“By combining Seer's innovative spirit with Sedna's strategic
vision, it's not just merging two companies, they're setting the
benchmark of technological advancement, growth and inward
investment to the region."
