Connecting Ships with Local Experts

Guest: Manos Koukouvios, COO, Vsltec

Episode Overview: Former seafarer and now COO of Vsltec, Manos Koukouvios shares how a real off-hire HVAC failure in West Africa sparked the idea for a vetted, location-based network of technical service providers. We talk about building a two-sided marketplace in shipping, managing expectations in a "WhatsApp world," and what founders should really focus on when starting in maritime tech.

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Key Points

From sea to startup: Manos' journey from LNG and cruise ships to Flagship Founders and into VesselTech.
The HVAC case that sparked Vsltec: How one bad technical job turned into months of off-hire and a clear problem to solve.
Vetted, local networks: Why Vsltec insists on truly local service providers and how that de-clutters the "we do everything, everywhere" noise.
Change management & expectations: Selling into overloaded technical/purchasing teams whose expectations are shaped by free, consumer-grade apps.
Advice for founders: Obsess over the problem first, talk to people, and only build when you know it's real, big, and worth paying for.

Learn More: For another deep-dive on maritime innovation, check out Episode 78: Navigating Maritime Innovation with Fabian Feldhaus

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Stay curious, stay salty. 🦕🌊