Atlas.co Lands €1.88M Pre-Seed to Challenge 50-Year-Old Mapping Giant Esri

Founded in 2021, Atlas.co is revolutionising a field traditionally dominated by legacy players like Esri, offering a collaborative and user-friendly mapping solution.

Olso-based startup Atlas.co has announced its €1.88 million pre-seed funding round, led by climate-focused VC fund Pale Blue Dot, alongside high-profile investors Ben Lang (early employee and former community lead at Notion) and Andreas Klinger (former CTO and founding team member at Product Hunt).

Atlas.co aims to redefine how maps are used in today’s digital-first world. Unlike traditional platforms, which are often complex and restrict collaboration, Atlas enables users to embed interactive, data-rich maps that can update and evolve in real time. With this funding, the company is positioned to empower a broader audience to utilise maps not just as tools but also as storytelling canvases that drive insight and change across various sectors.

Fredrik Moger, CEO of Atlas.co ,said

We’re rethinking maps from the ground up. The traditional geospatial industry has left the vast potential of mapping untapped, making it difficult for non-technical users to create and share insights. We’re breaking down barriers so that everyone—from energy developers to urban planners and environmentalists—can collaborate and tell impactful stories through maps.

Inspired by collaborative tools such as Figma and Notion, Atlas.co offers an accessible, real-time approach to geospatial mapping. The browser-based platform allows users to create, edit, and share data-rich maps collaboratively, facilitating a dynamic approach to spatial data that legacy GIS (Geographic Information System) platforms have not achieved.

By leveraging cloud-based collaboration, Atlas.co ensures that every team member has access to the most up-to-date version of a map, enabling seamless workflows for remote teams and asynchronous work.

Ben Lang, former community and creator lead at Notion, said

Atlas.co empowers creators with tools to visualise and communicate complex data clearly. They are leading a fundamental shift in making maps and spatial data relevant to a new generation of digital creators and data-driven storytellers.

Andreas Klinger, entrepreneur-turned-investor, said

I see Atlas as a spatial database with superpowers layered on top. Atlas.co is enabling industries across the board to harness spatial data and navigate an evolving world.

Joel Larsson, partner at Pale Blue Dot, said

Atlas.co represents a significant step towards making spatial data accessible for essential causes like climate action. We are excited to support a team that views maps not only as data tools but also as catalysts for environmental and social change.

With this funding, Atlas.co plans to accelerate product development, expand its engineering team, and introduce new features that elevate maps as a powerful medium for communication and insight.