MarineTech innovator develops first-of its-kind water visibility forecasting software

Devon-based Ocean AI has developed a pioneering new software platform, Marla, that can measure and predict underwater visibility levels in seas and oceans.

The company utilises open-source satellite data and combines it with weather forecast models and state-of-the-art artificial intelligence algorithms to make accurate predictions.?

“We’re a team of keen divers, and we started Ocean AI with the aim of creating a tool that could help divers plan trips around times of good visibility,” says Dmytro Karamshuk, Director, Ocean AI.

“But we quickly realised that the same technology could also be used to measure water quality – monitoring things like sewage leaks – and serve a wide range of ocean industries.”

“The Environment Agency, for instance, could complement its 400 physical UK monitoring locations with our software, which would provide much more regular insights and observe a much larger area, at less than 1% of the cost.”

Ocean AI’s technology can also be used to serve the global offshore inspection, repair, and maintenance market, which is projected to grow from $9.64 billion in 2021 to $18.04 billion by 2028.

Existing solutions in this space rely on the visual observations of deployed remote submarines or human divers. By leveraging Ocean AI’s forecasting algorithms, ocean industries can facilitate more accurate planning of costly inspection and maintenance work.

In 2022, Ocean AI began work with Innovation and Growth Specialist, Angelo Spencer-Smith, who developed a detailed growth plan with the company, focused on partnership building, funding and finance and commercialisation.?

“Angelo played a key role in helping us to expand our horizons, drill into the specific industries where our technology has clear use cases and define our value proposition.”

“That stood us in good stead for an Innovate UK Smart Grant application where we secured ￡140,000.”

Angelo next helped Ocean AI to find partners for collaboration through the Konfer platform which connects researchers, universities and innovative businesses.

“That was quite transformational for us,” says Dmytro, “we received around 10 referrals and began working closely with three businesses.”

“It really helped to legitimise what we were doing and demonstrated that there was a clear market for our technology.”

Market strategy support

Commercialisation Specialist, Paul Albone, was introduced to build on this support and develop a detailed go-to-market plan.

“Paul helped us to create a concrete strategy for approaching our chosen ocean industries with a clear understanding of their pains and potential gains.

“It’s essentially allowed us to navigate this space without getting lost. And prevented a situation where we’ve worked on something for two years before realising that it wasn’t the right path.”

Financial planning support

Finance Specialist, Andrew Mercer, was next introduced to help Ocean AI understand its financial options and develop a strategy that could underpin growth.

“We didn't know much about the financial tools available to us, or how to go about implementing a finance strategy,” says Dmytro.

“Andrew was able to assimilate the options and provide recommendations. His input was extremely valuable to us.”

Reflecting on his support journey, Dmytro says, “when you consider the collective value of the Innovate UK grant funding and the full package of support from Innovate UK EDGE (now Innovate UK Business Growth), I think it’ll allow us to reach commercialisation 10x faster than we would have been able to otherwise. It’s been fantastic.”

Innovate UK Business Growth will continue to support as this MarineTech innovator commercialises its pioneering forecasting software for recreational divers and large ocean industries.