XOCEAN is collecting data from the seas with 0.1% of the carbon emissions

From ancient mariners navigating by the stars to modern scientists using robotics, the history of ocean exploration is a testament to human curiosity. Even now, 500 years after we first circumnavigated the Earth, mariners are still proving that one of the world’s oldest industries has more room for innovation.

James Ives, founder and CEO of XOCEAN, just announced a US$30 million Series B funding round that will propel his company’s path onward revolutionizing ocean data collection, and making significant strides toward a safer and sustainable future.

Growing up in the UK, James never thought about becoming an entrepreneur. He was always interested in technology and went to college to study automotive engineering. His early career involved designing combustion systems for automotive companies, even contributing to the race engines of Ferrari’s Formula 1 team before switching paths and joining Andersen Consulting and Accenture in London in 1998.

In the mid-2000s, James left consulting to start his first venture, focusing on the energy sector, a business he sold early to a telecoms company. Despite not achieving the lift he wanted, this experience laid the groundwork for his future endeavors. He ran his second venture, which utilized marine technology as an energy-generating platform, for 12 years before exiting after its sale. It was during this time that he encountered the exact problems XOCEAN is now solving.

Traditionally, mapping the ocean floor and collecting marine data requires a ship with a large crew working for extended periods at sea. When a customer needs data, it can be several months before a traditional supplier has availability; costs are uncontrolled. James, having been a customer himself during his second venture, recognized these challenges and envisioned a more efficient and safer method. Thus, XOCEAN was created in 2017.

Instead of using a conventional ship, he created a robotic platform to harvest high-resolution ocean data while being remotely controlled via satellite. These robotic vessels can operate for weeks on end, providing data at a fixed price and eliminating the risks associated with traditional methods.

XOCEAN immediately found customers with a real need for data. The company scaled quickly and now operates in 22 jurisdictions across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific. Clients include major energy and industrial corporations, as well as government agencies, all seeking reliable, high-quality ocean data for various applications, from developing offshore wind farms to ensuring marine safety.

This innovative approach not only reduces the time and cost associated with data delivery but also significantly lowers the environmental impact. XOCEAN’s vessels produce just 1/1000th of the emissions compared to conventional ships, aligning with the company’s mission to decarbonize the marine sector and support renewable energy development. By eliminating the need for large crews to spend weeks at sea, the company enhances safety and opens up opportunities for greater gender diversity in the maritime sector. The industry has a poor record of female workers with an average of just 1%. At XOCEAN, this is 31%.

As it stands, the sector is fragmented with a large number of regional providers, but customers are global. XOCEAN aims to become the first truly global provider of data To support that aim, they have just announced a funding round led by VentureWave Capital with participation from Endeavor Catalyst and Enterprise Ireland.