Alphabet X Unleashes AI Vision to Revolutionize Salmon Farms
Alphabet X’s “Moonshot Factory” Turns the Tide – And Salmon
When you think of Alphabet X, you picture sprawling labs, space rockets, and – bonus – a quirky nimble wing that pops up new ventures like popcorn. That wing? It only wanted to get things done, so it spooled out a fresh start-up called Tidal in mid‑July. The goal? Feed humanity sustainably. Yep, the mission is big, but Tidal’s first batch of work is very concrete: salmon farming.
Why the love affair with salmon?
- Fastest‑growing food system – According to the World Wildlife Foundation, salmon aquaculture is 70% of the global market, roughly 2.5 million metric tons.
- Global reach – Tidal’s sensors and robots are already working side‑by‑side with fish‑farmers in Australia, Chile, and Norway.
- Current presence – 230 Tidal systems are up and running in Norway’s coastal waters.
How Tidal is changing the fish game
Picture a fish farm that looks like a smart supermarket and a sci‑fi laboratory rolled into one. That’s the “Googley” vibe Tidal brings:
- Smart sensors – They watch every trout, from weight to behavior.
- Robotics – Drones and underwater helpers keep things tidy.
- Data science & AI – The algorithm gives a real‑time estimate of yields and flags trouble spots.
- Early warning system – Sea lice? Predict it before it turns into a big problem.
A salmon love story
Let’s be honest: The idea of a tech giant swooping into the world of salmon feels like a science‑fiction plot twist. But it’s not just hype. By marrying high‑tech monitoring with everyday fish‑folks’ labor, Tidal is turning a costly, disease‑prone industry into a more predictable, sustainable one.
What’s next, you ask?
With the first complete deployment in Norway, Tidal is already on the cusp of showing that technology can help us eat sustainably without sacrificing taste or the ecosystem. And if this ain’t a slick data story, I don’t know what is.
Tidal Takes the Plunge: An Oceanic Make‑over for Fish Farming
From Alphabet’s Secret Lab to a Stand‑Alone Sustainability Hero
Remember when Alphabet’s weirder experiments were just hushed whispers? Well, Tidal, the clever whale‑shaped tech from that hush‑hum—now called Tidal—is breaking out of the basement, getting its own gang and its own green mission.
Why the Big Fish Do Feeds on Feeds
In a world where the biggest splash‑cost to marine farmers is feed—the actual food that keeps the fish alive—Tidal is becoming the cool cousin that helps them cut that cost. “Feed is the elephant in the room, costing a ton on the belt line and hurting the planet,” says Astro Teller, the head honcho at X. “Once we’re ready to crank out the tech, we’re tipping into independence powered by partners who get our eco‑vision.”
From Secret Research to Spin‑out Success
In an early teaser, a Tidal rep let us in on the secret: the spinoff track was the plan all along. Alphabet has been tightening its budget, especially for its “other bets.” In the last half‑year, Mineral turned into a licensing boutique and handed out a tech bundle to John Deere, while Skip—the assistant‑wear brand—dove out on its own.
Backing that Makes Waves
- Investors who believe in planet‑friendly tech have put their money into the wave.
- Strategic partners in aquaculture are ready to ship Tidal’s solutions globally.
- A new self‑support matrix ensures the company can stay afloat without Alphabet’s umbrella.
What Tidal Brings to the Table
Picture a fleet of farmers who can predict oxygen levels, nutrient balances, and fish health—all in real time. Tidal’s AI data cruncher turns sea‑data into actionable numbers, turning green goals into profit centers.
And while the tech is super‑serious—because nobody wants fish to go belly up—Tidal keeps the human feel. “We’re not just a tool, we’re a partner for the planet,” Teller says, winking at the bright future that might just shrink feed costs and help the ocean breathe again.
Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda
Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $600+ before prices rise.
Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda
Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise.
Tidal Takes the Helm After Alphabet’s Spin‑Off
Alpha’s Exit Leaves Tidal Still in the Business—Just a Minority Stake
When Alphabet finally broke apart, Tidal didn’t just walk away. The streaming powerhouse ended up holding a small slice of the company’s equity, keeping the company in the mix but with a slimmer stake.
Now Looking for More Yardstick:
With its own sails set, Tidal is hustling to line up fresh capital. The most recent funding wave was led by Perry Creek Capital, with a helping hand from Ichthus Venture Capital and Futurum Ventures. The exact amount? It keeps the figures under wraps, but the vibe is “we’re definitely investing more.”
Growth Strategy:“Full Sail” Mode
- Current plan: Double or triple the number of systems currently running.
- Time frame: Next couple of years — vibes that they’re ready to scale quickly.
- Why? Tidal is aiming to outpace competitors and keep the streaming world on its toes.
Bottom Line
Tidal’s journey from Alphabet side‐kick to a challenger on its own is clear: they keep a minority stake but are grabbing external funding to shoot for rapid growth. In short, it’s a move that’s both strategic and daring—just the kind of nimble play we love to see in tech stories.
