Orca AI raises over US$70M to drive autonomous shipping innovation
Maritime technology company Orca AI has closed an investment of US$72.5 million in Series B funding, with Brighton Park Capital leading the round with participation from existing investors Ankona Capital and Hyperlink Ventures.
The investment will enable Orca AI to further its autonomous platform, add new capabilities and enter new categories, including defense and security. The funding is also expected to strengthen the company’s position as the market leader in autonomous shipping.
The completion of this round brings Orca AI’s total funding raised to US$111 million, with OCV Partners and Mizmaa Ventures also participating in previous rounds.
Founded in 2018 by CEO Yarden Gross and CTO Dor Raviv, Orca AI is revolutionizing the traditionally opaque, conservative shipping industry with AI-powered decision making and autonomous shipping capabilities. The company has the world’s largest marine visual dataset, built from over 80 million nautical miles. Powered by advanced AI and computer vision, this dataset forms the foundation for unmatched situational awareness capabilities in ocean navigation, helping captains and crew members identify risks and targets that cannot be spotted with the human eye. By delivering AI-based alerts and recommendations, Orca AI is able to significantly reduce the probability of collisions that have a severe economic and human impact, so crews can focus their attention on the most critical parts of their voyages.
“At Orca AI, we are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible when AI supports human decision-making at sea,” said Yarden Gross. “Over the past two years, ships have become increasingly connected to the cloud, enabling large-scale data collection and unlocking the potential of AI. Orca AI is leading this transformation, deploying advanced AI technologies that make vessels smarter, safer, and more automated. We are grateful to have forward-thinking investors who, like us, can see how the advancements in AI and connectivity are opening up new opportunities to enhance autonomous shipping, which will define the future of maritime operations.”
Orca AI’s platform is already trusted by major global shipping companies, including MSC, NYK, Scorpio, and Seaspan. By helping mitigate accidents and operational issues, Orca AI enables hundreds of vessels to save billions of dollars in potential damage each year. The significant improvement in connectivity in remote waters, driven by satellite-based services like Starlink, allows real-time data to be transmitted to Orca AI for mapping routes, traffic monitoring, and sharing critical information.
