40Seas is a startup that offers software and financing options for global importers and exporters.Here's the pitch deck the startup used to fundraise, which attracted investors like QED Investors.
Growing up, Moldovan worked at his dad's retail store in Israel unpacking giant containers of clothes shipped in from China and India. He would listen to his father argue and negotiate with his suppliers about payments — the exporters wanted advanced payments before shipping their goods, and his dad only wanted to pay for goods once he received them, Moldovan, 40Seas's CEO, said.
So in January 2022, Moldovan, Igor Zaks, Gil Shiff, and Suki Gao cofounded 40Seas, combining their experiences across payments, cross-border markets, corporate credit, and data science. The startup, which launched in January 2023, offers its so-called"order now, pay later" financing for importers and exporters to bridge the financing gap.
The payment disconnect in global trade plays out on a large scale and investors are looking to capitalize on a potential solution. 40Seas raised its seed round in January as investors funneled $11 million into the fledgling startup. Now, the startup raised an additional $6 million in a seed extension round that saw QED Investors and Eminence Ventures join existing backers, Team8 and ZIM, a global container shipping line that moves cargo overseas. Moldovan declined to disclose a valuation.