WSense – the Italian ocean tech company enabling the Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT) through its ‘subsea Wi-Fi’ systems – continues its international growth trajectory with the closing of its Pre-Series B round at €10 million.
Indico Capital Partners and SIMEST join the group of existing investors in the company’s fundraising effort: CDP Venture Capital SGR, Blue Ocean by SWEN, RunwayFBU, Axon Partners Group – already part of the Series A round – as well as Fincantieri and Rypples.
Founded by Chiara Petrioli, Full Professor of Computer Engineering at Sapienza University and CEO since 2022, WSense delivers unique innovative solutions that ensure seamless interoperability of adaptive wireless networks between multi-vendor underwater sensors and autonomous vehicles, with unmatched reliability and scalability. WSense’s patented technologies enable real-time, secure, and cost-efficient underwater wireless communications, making it possible to collect ocean Big Data on an unprecedented scale. This capability is revolutionising our understanding of marine ecosystems and enabling new applications – from the monitoring and protection of critical infrastructure, to resident autonomous robotic networks supporting energy transition, to real-time environmental monitoring.
As WSense CEO Chiara Petrioli emphasises: “The entry of new investors such as Indico Capital Partners and SIMEST represents a strong recognition of the value of our technology and our international growth strategy. With the completion of this round – bringing WSense’s total funding to over €25 million – and thanks to the support of leading industrial and financial partners, we will accelerate the development of cutting-edge IoUT solutions for the energy transition, infrastructure security, and the protection of the oceans.”
Stephan de Moraes, Managing General Partner at Indico Capital Partners comments: “Wsense is a great example of Italy’s deeptech capabilities and the opportunities emerging in ocean-related technologies. As a dual-use technology company with strong industrial partners and a clear growth trajectory, Wsense is well-positioned for the next stage of development. We are delighted to support this new phase of growth and look forward to working closely with the Wsense team.”
“WSense is an example of excellence in the blue economy and deep tech sectors, where innovation and sustainability come together to create new growth opportunities,” said Vera Veri, Director of Equity Investments at SIMEST. “SIMEST’s entry into the company’s capital follows this path, in line with the strategy of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the international development of Italian enterprises and with the CDP Group’s commitment to supporting high-tech innovative startups. It is a System-wide contribution aimed at enhancing advanced skills and cutting-edge solutions in sectors that are strategic for the country’s future.”
The global underwater sector is expected to reach a €400 billion market value between 2024 and 2030, with innovative technology solutions accounting for over €30 billion. Within this framework, WSense is targeting the global underwater communications market, estimated at around €10 billion.
The growing strategic importance of the subsea domain is evidenced by the fact that there are currently 552 submarine cables spanning a total of 1.4 million kilometres, through which 98% of global digital communications – including financial and commercial transactions – are transmitted (source: Italian Navy).
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