Blue Lobster

What Blue Lobster does

Blue Lobster IT Limited is a privately held, founder-owned software development and graphics agency headquartered in Tyn-y-Gongl, Gwynedd, Wales, United Kingdom, founded in 2008 (with firmographic records referencing 2007). The firm operates with a team of 1-10 employees and serves research institutions, government agencies, NGOs, and mission-driven businesses, with a heavy concentration of work delivered into European Commission-funded research programmes — the company states contributions to over 30 European Commission projects across Framework 7, Horizon 2020, and Horizon Europe.

The company's product portfolio rests on three proprietary platforms built atop Next.js/React, Node.js, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, Payload CMS, and AWS/Google Cloud: GeoMachine, a browser-based WebGIS and visual analytics platform used across Horizon projects including EcoScope (fisheries visualisation) and EcoTwin (socio-ecological models, integrating with the EU Ocean Twin Infrastructure EDITO); Polardex, a polar infrastructure directory co-developed with the European Polar Board and consortium partners including the British Antarctic Survey, Alfred Wegener Institute, SOOS, SIOS, and IAATO; and the Iliad Marketplace, a Digital Twin App Store for ocean models developed over 3.5 years as part of the €18 million Horizon 2020 Iliad Project with 56 international partners across 18 countries. Technical differentiators include geospatial AI integration, native support for Jupyter Notebook export and ERDDAP oceanographic servers, and an API-first architecture enabling ecosystem interoperability.

Blue Lobster generates revenue through six professional-services streams — custom web development, mobile app development, AI application development, GIS development, UI/UX design, and ongoing website maintenance and support — priced entirely on a custom-project, quote-based model with multi-year contract cadence. Distribution is exclusively direct-to-client via website "Get a Quote" consultation, with no resellers or self-serve channels. Marketing is content-led through technical blog posts, LinkedIn, and X (Twitter). As of the most recent available data, the company is actively trading, GDPR-compliant, and operating without external venture capital, acquisitions, or parent-company ownership.

Name

Blue Lobster

Legal name

Blue Lobster IT Limited

Website

https://bluelobster.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Blue Lobster IT Limited is a Wales-based bespoke software and graphics agency (1-10 employees) building WebGIS, AI, and digital-twin platforms — notably GeoMachine, Polardex, and the Iliad Marketplace — primarily for European Commission-funded research consortia and polar/marine science institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Custom Software Development

NAICS

Navigational Services to Shipping (488330)

akta.pro primary industry

Pilotage Authority & Dispatch Services (Pilot Stations, Rostering, VTS Interface) (TLAHAGAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Navigation & Aids-to-Navigation Works (Beacons, Buoys, Markers) (IMAFAJAH)

Keywords

• Custom web development
• GIS application development
• AI application development
• Mobile app development
• UX design services

Headquarters

HQ city

Benllech

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom Web Development Services: Bespoke website and web application development tailored to client specifications. Projects range from custom websites to robust data-heavy platforms serving thousands of users.
2. Mobile App Development: Custom mobile application development for iOS and Android platforms, creating engaging apps that extend client reach and open new service delivery channels.
3. AI Application Development: Intelligent application development combining machine learning, natural language processing, and agent-based systems to create applications that support insight and decision-making.
4. GIS Development: Specialised geographic information system development including custom mapping applications, spatial data solutions, and WebGIS platforms.
5. UI/UX Design Services: User experience and interface design services including wireframes, high-fidelity prototypes, design systems, and accessibility-focused design.
6. Website Maintenance & Support: Ongoing website maintenance and support services providing security updates, performance optimisation, and content management.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Blue Lobster is a digital development agency that builds custom websites, web applications, mobile applications, AI-powered applications, and specialised GIS solutions for research institutions, government agencies, and mission-driven organisations. All work is bespoke with no templates used. The company also develops proprietary platforms including GeoMachine (WebGIS), Polardex (polar infrastructure directory), and the Iliad Marketplace (digital twin app store), typically in partnership with European Commission-funded research consortia.

Product overview

Blue Lobster is a digital development agency offering a portfolio of bespoke products and services. Their core product offerings include GeoMachine (a WebGIS and visual analytics platform), Polardex (a polar infrastructure discovery tool), and the Iliad Marketplace (a digital twin marketplace for ocean applications). These products are complemented by services including Web Development, Mobile App Development, AI Application Development, GIS Development, UI/UX Design Services, Graphic Design, Content Management Systems implementation, Content Writing, and Website Maintenance and Support. The company operates as a technical partner, providing end-to-end project lifecycle support from concept to launch and ongoing support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GeoMachine: A powerful browser-based WebGIS and visual analytics platform designed for geospatial data visualisation and exploration across marine, terrestrial, and atmospheric environments.
• Polardex

Products and services

• GeoMachine A powerful, browser-based WebGIS and visual analytics platform designed to make spatial data explorable. Offers a modular, highly customisable workspace where maps, data feeds, and analytical layers can be combined intuitively for visualisation of marine, terrestrial, and atmospheric data.
• Polardex A platform listing key polar infrastructures in both the Arctic and Antarctic regions, enabling logistics discovery and enhanced planning opportunities for polar scientists and planners. Developed in cooperation with the European Polar Board.
• Iliad Marketplace A digital twin app store for ocean models, data streams, and analytics tools. Serves as a central hub for discovering, accessing, and deploying digital services, applications, educational materials, and datasets related to the marine environment. Built with an API-first architecture enabling interoperability.
• Custom Web Development Bespoke website and web application development tailored to client specifications. Projects range from custom websites to robust data-heavy platforms serving thousands of users, including CMS implementation and database development.
• Mobile App Development
• AI Application Development
• GIS Development
• UI/UX Design Services
• Scientific Poster Design Services
• Website Maintenance & Support

Quantifiable outcome

• 30+ European Commission projects completed across Framework 7, Horizon 2020, and Horizon Europe
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability8 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Iliad Project ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 May 2024Blue Lobster spent three and a half years as a partner on the €18 million Horizon 2020 Iliad Project involving 56 international partners from 18 countries. The project created Digital Twins of the Ocean for simulation and prediction of currents, ecology, pollution, aquaculture, and energy extraction. Blue Lobster designed and developed the Iliad Marketplace.
• GeoMachine Platform DeploymentscoreTechnology or Integration · 5 September 2023GeoMachine has been deployed for multiple Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe projects including EcoScope (fisheries data visualisation), Iliad (Coastal Crete Digital Twins), and EcoTwin (socio-ecological models). Also deployed for commercial applications requiring WebGIS visualisation.
• EcoScope (Horizon 2020 project)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 September 2023GeoMachine powers the EcoScope platform enabling visualisation of fisheries data and models combining marine data from across European seas, including weather, ocean chemistry, biology, fishing effort, and catch data.
• European Polar BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 March 2022Conceived and developed Polardex in cooperation with the European Polar Board - an independent organisation focused on strategic scientific priorities in the Arctic and Antarctic. Polardex lists key polar infrastructures enabling logistics discovery and enhanced planning opportunities for polar scientists and planners.
• Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 March 2022Partner contributor to Polardex platform development, providing polar science expertise and data integration for the polar infrastructure discovery portal.
• Svalbard Integrated Arctic Earth Observing System (SIOS)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 March 2022Partner contributor to Polardex platform development for Arctic infrastructure data integration.
• International Network for Terrestrial Research and Monitoring in the Arctic (INTERACT)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 March 2022Partner contributor to Polardex platform development.
• EU-PolarNet 2minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 March 2022Partner contributor to Polardex platform development.
• Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 March 2022Partner contributor to Polardex platform development.
• International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 March 2022Partner contributor to Polardex platform development.
• British Antarctic Survey (BAS)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 March 2022Partner contributor to Polardex platform development, providing Antarctic infrastructure expertise.
• Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 March 2022Partner contributor to Polardex platform development, providing polar research expertise.
• Horizon Europe ProgrammecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 March 2022Blue Lobster continues to contribute to Horizon Europe projects including EcoTwin, building on their extensive experience with European Commission Framework 7 and Horizon 2020 projects (30+ contributions).

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Hexagon Geospatial: Division of Hexagon AB providing enterprise GIS, remote sensing, and location intelligence software. Comparable to Blue Lobster in the geospatial software market, but as a broad incumbent serving defence, government, and utilities at scale.
• Carto: Global location intelligence / spatial analytics platform serving enterprise and public-sector customers. Comparable to GeoMachine as a cloud-native WebGIS/analytics platform, though Carto is a much larger incumbent with broad horizontal positioning rather than marine/polar specialisation.
• Mapbox: US-based maps and location platform used in many data-heavy and logistics applications. Comparable in underlying mapping/visualisation technology to GeoMachine, but as a horizontal platform rather than a marine/polar specialist.
• Esri: Global market leader in GIS software (ArcGIS). Comparable to Blue Lobster as the dominant GIS platform underlying many of the same research and government customers, but as a broad incumbent rather than a bespoke marine/polar specialist.

Direct peers

• 52°North: Germany-based open-source geospatial R&D initiative building spatial data infrastructures for research, environment, and marine applications. Closely comparable to Blue Lobster in building custom open-source geospatial components for EU research consortia.
• WhereGroup: German open-source GIS consulting and development firm specialising in SDI, geoportals, and bespoke geospatial applications. Comparable to Blue Lobster as a mid-sized European GIS/SDI services provider serving public-sector research customers.
• Sinergise: Slovenia-based geospatial technology company operating Sentinel Hub and related Earth observation / GIS platforms. Highly comparable to Blue Lobster's GeoMachine in the GIS-for-scientific-data niche, and a frequent co-participant in EU EO/marine projects.
• OceanMind: UK-based marine data analytics company combining satellite and ocean data for fisheries, compliance, and maritime applications. Comparable to Blue Lobster in the marine-data-via-software niche, with overlap on EU-funded marine programmes.

Emerging players

• Dotspot: European boutique consultancy and software provider focused on open data, Linked Data, and geospatial solutions for public-sector and research clients. Comparable to Blue Lobster as a small, niche European data-platform builder for research and government customers.

Regional players

• Mercator Ocean International: France-based non-profit implementing the EU's Copernicus Marine Service and contributing to the EU digital ocean twin. Comparable to Blue Lobster as an EU ocean-data/blue-economy player, but as a public-sector implementer rather than a private software firm.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bluelobsterit
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/blue-lobster-it
• Facebookfacebook.com/bluelobsterit

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Blue Lobster