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Weco, a Netherlands-based wave-energy technology company, has raised €600,000 to advance its ocean energy systems and prepare for further development with the support of strategic partners.
Contributors to the round include the Netherlands Enabling Water Technology fund (NEW-ttt), Init Power B.V., and investor Cyriel de Jong.
Sybo Zijlstra, Investment Manager at NEW-ttt, said: “We are proud to support Weco in their mission to harness the power of the sea and turn it into sustainable energy. Their technology perfectly aligns with our vision to drive groundbreaking innovations that accelerate the energy transition – even on the open sea.”
Frank van Beek of Init Power B.V. added: “Weco combines strong engineering fundamentals with a clear vision for impact. We see significant potential for this system in the offshore energy transition going forward.”
Founded in 2023 by Luc Hogervorst and Cas van de Voort, Weco is focused on generating electricity from the natural motion of ocean waves. The company’s Kaizen Wave Energy Converter uses horizontal wave motion to produce continuous electrical output for offshore platforms, remote communities, sensors, and autonomous equipment.
The system consists of a frame, a screen that interacts with waves, buoyant floaters, and an anchoring setup linked to a main shaft via a belt mechanism. As waves move the device, belts roll and unroll, producing torque on a generator.
A control unit adjusts system behaviour using data from load cells, rotation sensors, and an inertial measurement unit, ensuring efficient energy capture.
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Weco’s technology evolved from initial master thesis research into full-scale prototypes. The team has carried out simulations, CFD studies, small-scale tests, and open-water trials, refining the mechanical design, belt configuration, and control strategy.
Results confirm that the system can reliably convert wave motion into usable electricity while minimising disturbance to marine environments.
“Wave energy is available year-round, providing steady power without fuel use or emissions,” said Cas van de Voort, co-founder of Weco. “This investment marks a major step forward for Weco. It gives us additional resources to validate our technology under real sea conditions and continue our mission of turning waves into watts.”
The company plans new open-sea tests in 2026 to further validate performance, confirm reliability, and move toward commercial deployment. Weco’s long-term aim is to establish wave energy as a practical component of the global energy transition, providing sustainable power directly from the ocean.
