Commodity trading has long been hindered by fragmented data and reliance on outdated methods such as spreadsheets. Traders have historically operated in silos, using proprietary data as a competitive advantage. However, as the industry shifts toward real-time analytics and collaborative decision-making, the need for integrated, AI-powered tools has become paramount.
Sparta Commodities, a Swiss startup, which provides real-time intelligence for commodity traders, has raised $42 million in Series B funding led by One Peak, with continued backing from Singular and FirstMark. This investment fuels Sparta’s expansion beyond oil and gas, accelerating its vision to evolve from a data provider into a full-scale AI-powered trading platform, an industry-wide operating system that empowers traders with actionable intelligence and collaborative decision-making.
Role of AI in trading intelligence
AI is transforming how commodity markets operate. Founded by former traders Felipe Elink Schuurman and Miles Moseley in 2024, Sparta was established to address these inefficiencies. The company has developed a platform that automates trading workflows and provides real-time intelligence, enabling traders, analysts, and risk managers to access structured, actionable data without traditional barriers.
Sparta’s platform leverages AI to process vast amounts of market data, identifying key signals and trends that impact pricing and volume forecasting. By integrating predictive analytics, it enables traders to make data-driven decisions with greater confidence.
The application of AI extends beyond simple data processing. It facilitates pattern recognition in trade flows, demand fluctuations, and risk exposure. This shift moves traders away from reactive decision-making towards proactive strategies that anticipate market movements.
Transitioning beyond oil and gas
Sparta initially focused on oil and gas markets, where it established itself as a leading provider of trading intelligence. With new this investment, the company is expanding into additional commodity sectors, broadening the reach of its AI-driven analytics. This expansion allows Sparta to cater to a wider audience, including metals, agricultural commodities, and other energy markets.
By diversifying its offerings, the company is aligning itself with the increasing complexity of global commodity trading. Different markets present unique challenges, from supply chain disruptions to fluctuating regulatory landscapes. AI-driven insights can help traders navigate these complexities with greater precision and efficiency.
The shift toward collaborative trading
The traditional model of commodity trading emphasised individual decision-making, where traders relied on private datasets to gain an edge. However, the industry is evolving toward a more collaborative approach. Firms now prioritise shared intelligence, where teams of traders, analysts, and risk managers work together using centralised data platforms.
Sparta’s platform is designed to facilitate this transition. By providing customisable, real-time data feeds and advanced visualisation tools, it allows multiple stakeholders within a trading firm to analyse and interpret market conditions simultaneously. This shift enhances transparency, improves efficiency, and enables organisations to respond more effectively to market volatility.
Building a data-driven operating system
The future of commodity trading depends on seamless integration of data, analytics, and decision-making tools. Rather than serving solely as a data provider, Sparta is positioning itself as a full-scale operating system for commodity traders. This system integrates live market data with AI-powered analytics, enabling traders to act on insights in real time.
A key advantage of this approach is the ability to create customised data solutions. Traders can tailor the platform’s analytical tools to their specific needs, incorporating proprietary datasets alongside publicly available market information. This level of customisation ensures that firms can adapt to evolving market conditions while maintaining a competitive advantage.
Sparta’s product suite
Sparta Commodities offers a comprehensive suite of products designed to provide real-time, actionable market intelligence for commodity traders. Their offerings include:
- Sparta Market Outlook: Delivers daily and weekly insights from industry experts, focusing on forward-looking opportunities to inspire new trading ideas or validate existing ones.
- Sparta Curves: Provides live access to global pricing data for futures, swaps, physical markets, and freight, enabling traders to make informed decisions with accurate, up-to-date information.
- Sparta Intelligence: An all-encompassing market intelligence platform offering a live, global view of market opportunities, assisting traders and analysts in identifying over or undervalued prices in real time.
- Sparta API: Allows seamless integration of Sparta’s unique historical data into your systems, enabling the development of bespoke models, backtesting, and swift evaluation of arbitrage opportunities.
- Sparta Enterprise: A customisable suite of solutions designed to provide risk management, middle office and back-office teams with access to the same information as traders, enhancing organsational insight and performance.
Additionally, Sparta offers specialised tools tailored to specific markets, such as the Cloud Blender for live gasoline blend values and the Freight Calculator for prompt and forward freight rates across over 3,000 global routes.
These products are accessible via web browsers, Sparta’s mobile iOS application, or directly within Excel through their add-in, ensuring traders have the flexibility to access vital information wherever they are. By leveraging Sparta Commodities’ suite of products, traders can anticipate market trends, identify opportunities, and execute trades with greater confidence and efficiency.
What lies ahead?
The ongoing digital transformation in commodity trading signals a shift away from legacy systems toward AI-enhanced platforms. Sparta’s development reflects broader trends in financial technology, where firms are increasingly leveraging AI to optimise decision-making. As the company expands into new markets, its platform is expected to play a critical role in shaping the future of commodity trading. By bridging the gap between raw data and actionable insights, it is contributing to a more efficient, transparent, and strategically driven trading environment.
“This funding is not just about growth—it’s about redefining the way the industry operates,” said Sparta co-founder Felipe Elink Schuurman. “We are building more than a platform; we are creating the intelligent infrastructure that will power the next generation of commodity trading. In One Peak, we’ve found the perfect partner to execute this vision. Throughout the funding process, we were thoroughly impressed by their deep expertise, strategic insight, and commitment to our vision. Their understanding of our industry and growth potential made them the clear choice to lead our Series B raise. We’re excited to partner with One Peak as we take Sparta to the next level.”
David Klein, Co-founder and Managing Partner at One Peak, commented, “We are thrilled to support Sparta in revolutionising commodities trading with AI-powered intelligence and insights for physical and paper trades. The world-class team at Sparta, led by Felipe and Miles, has built a truly innovative platform that doesn’t only solve today’s challenges but also positions Sparta at the forefront of the next AI-powered wave of trading technology. We’re excited to help accelerate Sparta’s dynamic growth and scale the platform across new markets. This investment aligns perfectly with our mission to back exceptional entrepreneurs in market-leading software businesses, and we have no doubt that Sparta will continue to redefine the commodities trading ecosystem.”
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