Windward’s AI-powered software solution provides real-time information and insights on the maritime sector, enabling intelligence-driven decisions to manage risk and achieve business and operational efficiencies. Founded in Israel in 2010 by Ami Daniel and Matan Peled, and Chaired by ex-BP CEO, Lord Browne, Windward was born out of their recognition of the critical issue of data visibility in the maritime sector. As the only end-to-end AI-driven solution in the market, Windward leads the way in digitalizing the massive and growing maritime opportunity.

Windward’s diverse customer base includes prominent participants across the maritime industry such as banks, commodity traders, insurers, government agencies, and major energy and shipping companies. Notable customers include BP, Shell, HSBC, Gard, Danske Bank, and leading government agencies such as those within the US Department of Defense and Homeland Security, Frontex (the pan-European border and coast guard agency), and the United Nations.

With over 170 customers worldwide, Windward has only scratched the surface of a significant market opportunity, which spans over 6 million organizations with an estimated total addressable market of over $10 billion.

With a cloud-based, subscription model, Windward benefits from high gross margins and a scalable business model. Windward’s H1 2023 revenue was $10.9m (+18%) and the annual contract value of $27.6 million (+23%), with 99 per cent of the revenue being subscription based.

At the half year results, Windward underlined the unparalleled opportunity for further expansion in the maritime market across supply chain management, sanctions and compliance risk, and decarbonisation. Underlining this opportunity is the complex regulatory environment, with Windward citing a growing number of companies across the industry turning to the Comoany to help them make better informed decisions and mitigate risk effectively.

Cosy Clubs are more formal bars/restaurants offering reservations and table service but share many similarities with the Lounges in terms of their broad, all-day offering and their focus on hospitality and culture. Cosy Clubs are typically located in city centres and large market towns. Interiors tend to be larger and more theatrical than for a Lounge, and heritage buildings or first-floor spaces are often employed to create a sense of occasion. There are 35 Cosy Clubs nationwide.

Loungers launched its third brand, a roadside dining concept called Brightside, in November 2022. The first Brightside location opened on the A38, south of Exeter, in February 2023, with the second opening in Saltash near Plymouth in June 2023 and the third in Honiton on the A303 in August 2023.