Open Ocean Robotics (OOR), a maritime robotics and AI company focused on ocean monitoring, announced today the close of a CA$2.8 million (about USD$2 million) investment round. The funds will support product and technological advancements, geographic expansion into Southeast Asia, and scaling manufacturing of its uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs).
Founded in 2018, Open Ocean Robotics is a Victoria, Canada-based company that equips solar-powered USVs with a suite of sensors to deliver real-time, scalable, and environmentally friendly ocean data solutions for a range of industries, including environmental monitoring, security and research.
Traditionally, the company said, monitoring coastlines and open waters required fixed assets on shore, satellites, crewed ships or aircraft, which were expensive, labor-intensive and polluting. OOR provides affordable, sustainable, and scalable ocean monitoring solutions that can operate at sea for months at a time, collecting data with a suite of sensors without producing GHG emissions, noise pollution, or risking oil spills.
The company’s USVs have been used to safeguard marine protected areas against illegal fishing, protect endangered whale populations, and help restore maritime biodiversity.
The round was co-led by Antares Ventures, a Singapore-based deep-tech venture fund focused on sustainability challenges in Southeast Asia, and Spring Impact Capital, a Canadian impact venture fund, with participation from Katapult Ocean, Alacrity Canada, DTN Ventures, individual investors, and PacifiCan.
“This investment from leading global impact investors underscores their confidence in our company and our vision for sustainable, cost-effective, and scalable ocean monitoring,” says Julie Angus, CEO and Co-founder of OOR. “With this funding, we will expand our ability to help maritime companies and agencies achieve safe and secure ocean monitoring through real-time data provided by our USVs and AI systems.”
To advance its innovative solutions in Southeast Asian markets, OOR is currently participating in the PIER71 Smart Port Challenge, an initiative of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and the National University of Singapore.
“Spring has been supporting Open Ocean Robotics since 2019, when we first saw how Julie Angus was delivering on a compelling vision for the future of ocean data and the impact it can have on all facets of marine and land life,” says Keith Ippel, Spring Impact Capital Managing Partner and Spring Co-CEO. “We’re excited to help her scale her company with measurable success and impact.”
