Steffen Maas

Steffen Maas is a passionate sailor, serial entrepreneur and deep tech pioneer who combines technical expertise with maritime experience to help build the future of the boating and ocean industries.

With more than 20 years of experience in AI and data-driven innovation, Steffen built one of Northern Germany’s first AI consultancies from the ground up, scaling the company to 45 employees and leading over 100 AI projects for global enterprises including Deutsche Bahn, Lufthansa and Deutsche Bank.

Today, Steffen is helping shape Europe’s next generation of AI innovation through venture building, ecosystem development and early-stage investing.

At A'Pelago Initiative 2026, he joins as a representative of Ocean1 VC, bringing his perspective on AI, deep tech investment and purpose-driven innovation for the maritime and sustainability sectors. Steffen will participate as a jury member in the PITCH CHALLENGE – CATEGORY III: OCEAN TECH, evaluating emerging startups and breakthrough innovations shaping the future of ocean technology.