Luxembourg marketplace for second-hand heavy machinery, MachineryScanner, is one of six finalists in the running for the Trans-Atlantic Startup Competition.
Some 65 startups applied to the Startup Investor Accelerator programme, giving the winner $110,000 in angel investment.
Launched in Europe 2021 by partners at Mossy Ventures, an angel accelerator, the programme aims to nurture an effective angel ecosystem while helping startups boost their investor appeal.
Over each three-month startup competition, companies progress through several rounds of pitching and discussion. Angels, meanwhile, follow a structured evaluation and investment process. Since it was first established in Seattle in 2012, the organisation has helped more than 500 angels across North America and Europe to invest in 40+ companies.
“There’s a huge gap between the number of new companies seeking funding, and the amount of finance available. So many experts across all industries are interested in sharing their knowledge, connections and finances with startups, but don’t know where to get started,” said Astghik Zakharyan, country manager at the Startup Investor Accelerator, adding: “Our mission is to provide the tools and methodology for angels and startups alike to navigate the investment process with confidence. It’s a pleasure to watch their growth throughout the programme, and we wish our finalists the very best of luck.”
Founded in 2022 by Stefano D’Alberti and Matthieu Gress, MachineryScanner is a search engine for used construction, farm equipment and heavy trucks for sale.
“MachineryScanner has been participating in this pitch competition for a few weeks now, and we are happy to announce we are qualified for the final event. Trading heavy equipment is complicated. We make it easy,” Gress told Silicon, adding: “MachineryScanner is the safest and most efficient online marketplace to find and buy trucks and heavy equipment.
MachineryScanner brings innovation to an old-fashion industry. Our system is ready, we use top technology, and we have the right tools to revolutionize the machinery sector.”
The other finalists are:
- Gaston, UK – ultimate dining app for foodies with dietary requirements
- S.Lab, Spain – sustainable ‘polystyrene’ made from hemp + mushroom
- ipHaus, US – affordable housing designed for un-buildable spaces
- Bovi – self-driving tractor tech, saving labour in agriculture
- EyeKnow AI – automatic violence detection through video
The six finalists will present at a public demo day on 1 December.
