Anchor Lab
Anchor Lab is a Copenhagen-based provider of Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) hardware and software that helps government fisheries authorities and commercial fishing operators document catch, ensure regulatory compliance, and enable AI-assisted fish detection across more than 21 countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersCopenhagen, Denmark
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Anchor Lab does
Anchor Lab is a Copenhagen-based provider of Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) systems for global fisheries, founded in 2012 and operated as the Danish partnership Anchor Lab (K/S). The company designs and sells hardware capture units (Black Box Video, Black Box Lite, Black Box Sensor) that combine cameras, GPS, and analog/digital sensors to record fishing activity and catch handling on board commercial vessels, and it has supplied more than 684 video systems across 21 countries and territories. Data flows into an integrated software stack centered on the Black Box Analyzer (review and analysis environment with measuring grid overlays, geofencing, and a web API), complemented by the Mofi mobile fisheries app, VDEC traceability software integrated with national eLogbook systems, the VIND dynamic mapping application, the Black Box Portal, and an AI integration layer for automated fish detection and species classification.
The company sells primarily to government fisheries authorities through tendered procurement (UK Cefas, Danish Ministry of Food Agriculture and Fisheries, Marine Scotland, Estonian Environmental Board, Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries) and to commercial fishing operators requiring documentation for MSC certification and quota compliance. Revenue is generated through hardware unit sales, recurring Analyzer subscriptions, one-time VDEC software licenses (with a 30-day free trial), and professional services for installation, training, and ongoing support. Distribution combines direct enterprise sales with a network of in-country installation and channel partners (e.g., Woodsons of Aberdeen, Workboats Consulting, Cunlogan) and is reinforced by participation in EU Horizon research consortia (EveryFish, OptiFish, ECO-CATCH) that fund R&D and provide visibility with research and regulatory stakeholders. The company is small (1-10 employees), privately held, and has bootstrapped operations supplemented by Danish government grants (GUDP-VIND) and EU project funding rather than institutional venture capital.
Anchor Lab firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Anchor Lab
- Legal name
- Anchor Lab (K/S)
- Website
- https://anchorlab.dk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Anchor Lab is a Copenhagen-based provider of Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) hardware and software that helps government fisheries authorities and commercial fishing operators document catch, ensure regulatory compliance, and enable AI-assisted fish detection across more than 21 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Anchor Lab industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Fisheries Remote Electronic Monitoring
- NAICS
- Fishing (11411), Aquaculture (11251)
- SIC
- Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Maritime Security Technology & Surveillance Systems (CCTV, Radar, AIS, Perimeter Intrusion) (TLAHANAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Marine Sensors, Instrumentation & IoT (Condition Monitoring) (IMAJAJAI), Regulatory & Sanctions Compliance Screening for Maritime Operations (Trade Controls, AML) (TLAHANAL), Aquaculture Farm Services & Operations Support (net cleaning, diving, grading, harvesting) (AFAEAAAM)
Keywords
Where Anchor Lab is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Copenhagen
- HQ country
- Denmark
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Anchor Lab business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Systems Sales: Sale of Black Box Video, Black Box Sensor, and Black Box Lite REM hardware systems to fisheries authorities and fishing vessels. Systems include cameras, sensors, control units, and installation.
- Software Licenses: Licensing of VDEC traceability software with 30-day free trial followed by paid license. Software runs on .NET Framework 4.0 and integrates with eLogbook systems.
- Software Subscriptions: Black Box Analyzer analysis software provided as subscription for ongoing access to data review and analysis tools.
- Professional Services: System installation, configuration, training, and ongoing technical support services for REM deployments.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | VDEC Windows Application with 30-day free trial |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Anchor Lab product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Anchor Lab develops and sells Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) hardware systems (Black Box Video, Black Box Lite, Black Box Sensor) and supporting software (Black Box Analyzer, Mofi, VDEC, Black Box Portal) that capture, transmit, and analyze fishing activity video and sensor data for fisheries compliance, catch documentation, bycatch monitoring, and sustainable fisheries management. Its solutions serve government fisheries authorities, commercial fishing operators, and marine research institutions globally across 21 countries.
Product overview
Anchor Lab offers a comprehensive Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) ecosystem consisting of hardware systems and software tools. The core product line includes Black Box Video (full-featured video-based REM), Black Box Lite (compact modular system for small-scale fisheries), and Black Box Sensor (GPS/sensor-based monitoring). These hardware systems feed data into Black Box Analyzer, the central analysis platform for visualizing and reviewing caught footage and sensor data. Supporting software includes Mofi mobile app for field catch registration, VDEC traceability software for catch documentation, and VIND digital maps for environmental data. AI Integration modules enable automated fish detection and species identification. The Black Box Portal provides web-based access for fishermen to view their own data. Products are deployed globally across 21 countries/territories with over 684 Black Box Video systems supplied.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Black Box Video: Remote Electronic Monitoring system for capturing fishing activities and catch handling processes at-sea.
- Black Box Lite
- Black Box Analyzer
- Mofi
- VDEC
- VIND
- Black Box Portal
Quantifiable outcome
- Helped protect marine ecosystems and promote sustainable fishing practices through improved compliance monitoring
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Anchor Lab
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Anchor Lab technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability4 records
Feature8 records
Anchor Lab partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and major.
- ECO-CATCH ConsortiumcoreEU project funded by CINEA transforming innovations for reducing bycatch and protecting marine habitats in Baltic and North Sea. Anchor Lab is a project partner.
- Wageningen University & ResearchsupportingHosted Optifish hackathon in collaboration with Everyfish project, bringing together international scientists and students to advance AI solutions for sustainable fisheries.
- CunlogansupportingPartner representing Anchor Lab's Electronic Monitoring system at SPRFMO meeting in Santiago, Chile.
- Cefas (UK)majorUK fisheries research authority working with Anchor Lab on Fish on Film research and REM deployments for early adopters in UK fisheries under Fisheries Act 2020.
- OptiFish Consortium (19 partners)coreHorizon EU project developing technologies for onboard monitoring of catch volumes and fish health. Anchor Lab providing REM expertise and system development.
- EveryFish Consortium (17 partners)coreHorizon EU project developing automated catch recording and reporting solutions using machine vision, AI, and blockchain technology. Anchor Lab contributing AI-assisted annotation tools and expertise.
- ATZIsupportingHosted first annual EveryFish project meeting in Bilbao. Part of the 17-partner EveryFish consortium.
- Estonian Environmental BoardmajorPartner in fishing vessel video surveillance pilot project for monitoring fishing-related activities with specialized software. Black Box Video installed on three Estonian fishing vessels for individual quota compliance.
- Workboats ConsultingsupportingPartner in Estonian Environmental Board pilot project, leading installation activity while Anchor Lab provides the monitoring technology.
- Marine ScotlandcorePartner for monitoring Scotland's inshore fisheries including scallop dredge fleet and razor clam fishery. Black Box Video system deployed on trial vessels for sustainable fishery management.
- Woodsons of AberdeensupportingMarine electrician company leading installation activity for Scotland's inshore fisheries monitoring program.
- Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF)majorPartner in Advance Queensland Small Business Innovation Research Initiative to develop modular REM systems for Queensland fisheries. Project progressed from contract signing through proof of concept phase.
- DTU Aqua (Danish National Institute of Aquatic Resources)coreLong-standing partner in GUDP-VIND project for developing dynamic digital maps for the industrial fishery industry. DTU Aqua performs analysis of mussel fishery data for area impact assessment. Hosted kick-off meeting for ECO-CATCH project at Hirtshals facilities.
- Danish Fishermen's Producers' Organization (DFPO)corePartner in GUDP-VIND development project. VDEC software integrates with DFPO for reporting endangered species and MSC-certified catches to the organization.
- DMI (Danish Meteorological Institute)supportingPartner in GUDP-VIND project providing weather data for VIND application dynamic maps.
- DPPO (Danish Pelagic Producers' Organisation)supportingPartner in GUDP-VIND development project for the industrial fishery industry.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Anchor Lab competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Satlink: Spanish-headquartered provider of electronic monitoring systems and satellite communications for global fisheries. Directly competes with Anchor Lab in REM hardware, video capture, and fisheries compliance analytics, serving similar government fisheries authority customers across Europe and globally.
- Archipelago Marine Research: Canadian provider of electronic monitoring and at-sea fisheries observer services with a long history in REM/EM system design, video review, and catch documentation. Direct competitor to Anchor Lab in the fisheries compliance and monitoring space, particularly across North America and the Pacific.
- Fishtag (NatureScot): Fishtag was a Scottish electronic monitoring solution developed by NatureScot and partners to record fishing activity on inshore vessels. Directly comparable to Anchor Lab's Black Box deployments in Scotland for scallop dredge and razor clam fisheries, serving the same UK regulatory use cases.
- Marine Instruments: Spanish manufacturer of marine electronic equipment including satellite-linked buoys, VMS, and electronic monitoring solutions for fisheries. Comparable to Anchor Lab's Black Box Video/Lite hardware line and competes for similar government fisheries tenders, particularly in Europe, Africa, and Latin America.
- Themis (Trygg Mat Tracking): Norway/Faroe Islands-based provider of electronic reporting and vessel monitoring systems for fisheries, focused on small-scale and coastal fleets. Directly comparable to Anchor Lab's Black Box Lite offering in serving small-scale fisheries compliance needs, particularly in Northern European markets.
- Skipper Electronics: Australian electronics provider offering onboard sensors, catch monitoring, and electronic reporting solutions for commercial fisheries. Comparable to Anchor Lab's Black Box Sensor and VDEC traceability products, particularly relevant as both companies serve the Australian/Queensland fisheries market.
Broad incumbents
- SRT Marine Systems: UK-listed provider of maritime surveillance, vessel tracking (VMS/AIS), and fisheries monitoring technology with broader maritime security coverage. Comparable to Anchor Lab in the fisheries surveillance domain but operates at significantly larger scale across commercial shipping, defense, and government markets.
- CLS Group: French subsidiary of CNES/CNES-Altius providing satellite-based vessel monitoring, fisheries surveillance (VMS), and oceanographic data services globally. Comparable to Anchor Lab's fisheries monitoring capability but offers a much broader portfolio across maritime domain awareness, environment, and offshore energy.
- Simrad (Kongsberg Discovery): Division of Kongsberg providing marine electronics, fisheries sonar, and onboard monitoring equipment to commercial fishing vessels globally. Comparable to Anchor Lab in the fisheries electronics space but offers a much broader hardware portfolio including navigation, sonar, and catch sensors.
Emerging players
- FishScan (Cefas Spinout): UK-based emerging electronic monitoring initiative closely linked to Cefas, one of Anchor Lab's most important UK government customers. Operates in the same REM/EM space for UK fisheries compliance, representing a potential competitor or partner depending on UK REM mandate rollout strategy.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Customer concentration
Anchor Lab social profiles
Digital presenceAnchor Lab financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Anchor Lab leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Anchor Lab funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Anchor Lab M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Anchor Lab
What does Anchor Lab do?
Anchor Lab develops and sells Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) hardware systems (Black Box Video, Black Box Lite, Black Box Sensor) and supporting software (Black Box Analyzer, Mofi, VDEC, Black Box Portal) that capture, transmit, and analyze fishing activity video and sensor data for fisheries compliance, catch documentation, bycatch monitoring, and sustainable fisheries management. Its solutions serve government fisheries authorities, commercial fishing operators, and marine research institutions globally across 21 countries.
Is Anchor Lab a public or private company?
Anchor Lab is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Anchor Lab founded?
Anchor Lab was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Anchor Lab based?
Anchor Lab is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, in the Europe region.
How does Anchor Lab make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Hardware Systems Sales are the primary driver. The others are software Licenses, software Subscriptions and professional Services.
Who are Anchor Lab's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Satlink, Archipelago Marine Research, Fishtag (NatureScot), Marine Instruments, Themis (Trygg Mat Tracking) and Skipper Electronics. Broad incumbents are SRT Marine Systems, CLS Group and Simrad (Kongsberg Discovery). FishScan (Cefas Spinout) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Anchor Lab have an API?
Yes. Black Box Analyzer includes a WEB API for accessing trip data from third-party custom applications and scripts. The API enables third-party applications to retrieve specific data from loaded trips, including fish measurements performed using the grid ruler. Access is enabled through the Analyzer settings.
What industry is Anchor Lab in?
Anchor Lab's product category is Fisheries Remote Electronic Monitoring. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAHANAC, Maritime Security Technology & Surveillance Systems (CCTV, Radar, AIS, Perimeter Intrusion), with a secondary code of IMAJAJAI, Marine Sensors, Instrumentation & IoT (Condition Monitoring). Its NAICS code is 11411 and its SIC code is 3823.