Italian ocean technology company WSense has raised €10 million in a pre-Series B round to accelerate the development of its subsea Wi-Fi systems and expand its Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT) platform internationally.
The funding round saw new investors Indico Capital Partners and SIMEST join existing backers CDP Venture Capital SGR, Blue Ocean by SWEN, RunwayFBU, Axon Partners Group, Fincantieri, and Rypples. The new investment brings WSense’s total funding to over €25 million.
Founded in 2017 and led by Chiara Petrioli, Professor of Computer Engineering at Sapienza University of Rome and CEO since 2022, WSense has developed patented underwater wireless communication technology that enables real-time, secure and cost-efficient transmission of ocean data. The company’s systems allow sensors and autonomous vehicles from multiple vendors to communicate, facilitating large-scale data collection to monitor marine ecosystems, infrastructure, and environmental conditions.
“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,” said Chiara Petrioli, CEO of WSense. “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, commented: “Wsense is a great example of Italy’s deep tech capabilities and the opportunities emerging in ocean-related technologies."
WSense’s technology is being deployed across applications including underwater infrastructure monitoring, real-time environmental tracking, and autonomous robotic networks that support the energy transition.
The company currently employs over 80 engineers and researchers, with offices in Italy, Norway, and the UK, and staff based in France and the United Arab Emirates.
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