Underwater WiFi, aquaponic farms: How European startups woo investors

Across Europe, blue tech startups are charting new waters in ocean technology, tackling some of the most pressing challenges — from renewable energy and blue biotechnology to cutting-edge port logistics and aquaculture. With support from European Union initiatives like BlueInvest, many of these innovators are securing the funding needed for scaling up.

At the Secche della Meloria marine protected area off Livorno, Italy, researchers are testing novel underwater communication tools using underwater WiFi. With specially adapted smart tablets, two marine biologists could keep in touch wirelessly while diving.

The difference between underwater WiFi and land-based WiFi is that traditional WiFi relies on high-frequency radio waves, which cannot travel far underwater, especially in salt water. Underwater WiFi, on the other hand, uses sound waves, as sound travels further through water. This allows researchers to communicate over much greater distances, similar to how many marine species, such as dolphins and whales, communicate.

The technology, developed by Rome-based company WSense, enables divers to send messages, track their locations in real-time, and collect geolocated data, making marine research dives safer and more efficient.

WSense’s innovations have far-reaching potential, from preserving marine environments and cultural heritage sites to monitoring aquaculture and offshore energy installations. The company’s success has been amplified by BlueInvest, an EU program that connects ocean-focused startups with investors. Winning the BlueInvest award in Ocean observation category put WSense in the spotlight, attracting a diverse network of European investors, says Chiara Petrioli, WSense’s founder and CEO: “It is a real