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Italian ocean technology company WSense has raised €10 million in a pre-Series B funding round to accelerate the development of its subsea Wi-Fi systems and scale its Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT) platform globally.
The round saw participation from new investors Indico Capital Partners and SIMEST, alongside existing backers CDP Venture Capital SGR, Blue Ocean by SWEN, RunwayFBU, Axon Partners Group, Fincantieri, and Rypples. The latest investment brings WSense’s total funding to more than €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 different manufacturers to connect seamlessly, supporting large-scale data collection for monitoring marine ecosystems, underwater 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.”
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WSense’s technology is already being deployed across applications including underwater infrastructure monitoring, real-time environmental tracking, and autonomous robotic networks supporting the energy transition.
“Wsense is a great example of Italy’s deep tech capabilities and the opportunities emerging in ocean-related technologies,” said Stephan de Moraes, Managing General Partner at Indico Capital Partners.
The company employs more than 80 engineers and researchers, with offices in Italy, Norway, and the UK, and team members based in France and the United Arab Emirates.
The global underwater sector is projected to reach €400 billion in market value between 2024 and 2030, with underwater communication technologies accounting for an estimated €10 billion of that total.
