Xocean Secures $119M to Revolutionize Ocean Data Collection with Autonomous Surface Vessels
Meet Xocean: The Ocean‑Minded Startup that Wants to Save the Seas… and Your Wallet
If you’ve ever wondered who’s actually mapping the deep‑blue world before oil rigs and research vessels sail out, look no further than Xocean, the savvy Irish team that turned autonomous tech into a money‑making machine.
What’s the Deal?
- Raised €115 million ($119 million) in fresh capital to expand beyond its existing “big‑name” clients.
- Focus on uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) – basically drones that swim the ocean and pull data like a data‑harvesting fishing expedition.
- They’re remote‑controlled from land, hang out offshore for days, and send back everything from depth maps to subsurface geological sketches.
Fast‑Fact “Rags to Riches”
Founded in 2017, Xocean now boasts a fleet of sensors, satellites, and a dream team that includes BP, Shell, and a handful of government agencies. If that doesn’t get your heart racing, the company’s founder, James Ives, once led tidal‑turbine giant OpenHydro – sold in 2013 to Naval Energies for a whopping $173 million.
Mission‑Possible: A Mission with a Twist
James Ives says the goal is to deliver “data that drives the sustainable development of our oceans in a safe, cost‑effective, and ultra‑low‑impact way.” That’s a serious line, but the real magic is how Xocean faces the old debate: “climate tech = penny‑sized fluff, or can it bring real revenue?”– Xocean’s answer: “Yes, with charts, we’re making data the new cash.”
Why Now is the Right Moment
- Autonomous tech is breaking ground in the green‑tech funding world.
- VCs are shifting from “nice to have” to “now to sell” – Xocean sits squarely on that sweet spot.
- Already raising a premium, the company’s prime customers are ready to keep tossing money at the data.
What You’ll Love About Xocean
- It’s data‑driven, but it keeps shorebirds safe.
- It’s environmentally friendly, costing less than a big oil rig would.
- It’s fun to watch as drones dash over waves like little sharks with brain‑boxes.
So, next time you talk underwater tech or glacial savings, remember the name that’s turning the ocean’s backside into a cryptocurrency of data. Xocean – because who says marine research can’t be a blockbuster?
Meet James Ives: The Spark Behind Oxcean
Who Is James?
Picture a tech whiz who can turn coffee into code and dreams into drones. That’s James Ives, the ingenious founder and CEO steering Oxcean into the future of marine technology.
The Early Days
- Raised in a coastal town where the tide was always a source of wonder.
- Studied engineering with a passion for gadgets—early prototypes included a waterproof smartwatch that sang sea shanties.
- Graduated with a knack for turning complex concepts into user-friendly solutions.
Oxcean: A Mission, Not Just a Company
When James launched Oxcean, he didn’t just aim to build an app. He wanted to create a platform that makes the ocean’s secrets accessible to anyone—from hobbyist scuba divers to oceanographers.
Key Highlights
- Data-Driven Insights: Real-time analytics for marine habitats.
- Innovative Sensors: Devices that keep an eye on water quality while lawyers check for water rights.
- Community & Collaboration: A user community that shares findings like recipe blogs, but for seaweed.
James’s Personal Touch
Despite being surrounded by thick tech jargon, James keeps things light.
“We’re all about science, but let’s not forget to have a splash of fun,” he jokes, especially when presenting a new update. His team often chuckles at his sea‑themed puns—because who doesn’t need a good laugh in a data‑heavy meeting?
Why It Matters
With our planet’s oceans under threat, everyone from policymakers to local fishermen needs reliable data. James’s vision turns complex ocean metrics into actionable insights, giving us a chance to protect and preserve.
Looking Forward
James is currently working on expanding Oxcean’s AI-driven predictive models, hoping to forecast echo patterns before storms hit. The future? A world where the ocean no longer hides secrets—it shares them, with a little humor sprinkled in along the way.
Ocean’s edge
Xocean: Turning the Deep Blue into a Data Hub for Wind Farms and Climate Heroes
Oceans aren’t just pretty waves and midnight surfers – they’re the planet’s climate regulators and a goldmine for marine data. Xocean is riding that wave (literally) by collecting the ocean’s secrets to help wind farms nudge into the right spots and keep their turbines humming.
Since starting up, the company has raked in roughly $189 million, and with the new cash splash it’s ready to expand its footprint across the globe. It’s eyeing multiple offshore chapters:
- Wind Energy – finding the sweet spot for new turbines by scanning the seabed.
- Asset Integrity Assurance – keeping offshore structures safe and sound.
- CCUS (Carbon Capture, Usage, and Storage) – turning carbon emissions into a less‑wrecked future.
- Civil Hydrography – gathering data to help civil engineers build smarter.
The data Xocean gathers is used to monitor environmental shifts, map turbine locations almost as if it were a treasure hunt, and smooth maintenance schedules for those hard‑to‑reach machines.
So strap in: the deep sea is not just a stunning backdrop but a data powerhouse—thanks to Xocean’s big‑brain waves and an ambitious expansion plan.
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.
Welcome to the Future
Hey there, nature‑savvy tech enthusiasts! Get ready to dive into the next big thing this week!
Event Dates
Mark your calendars for October 27‑29, 2025 in San Francisco – the city where tech dreams turn into reality.
Why You Should Register Now
Because every minute you hesitate could mean missing out on the next climate breakthrough. Sign up today and join the movement!
Investor Spotlight
Our latest funding round is bringing in a star‑studded roster:
- S2G Ventures – The climate‑tech whiz that spun off from Walmart heir Lukas Walton’s Builders Vision.
- Climate Investment (CI) – Keeping the planet on its toes.
- 1GT Fund – A Morgan Stanley venture sharpening its focus on green capital.
- CC Industries (CCI) affiliate – From the Crown family’s legacy, bringing the heavyweights into play.
So grab your ticket, pack your curiosity, and let’s make the world a little greener together!
