Orca AI, a leader in maritime technology, announced it has closed an investment of $72.5 million in Series B funding. Brighton Park Capital led the funding round with participation from existing investors Ankona Capital and Hyperlink Ventures.
Launched 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. And the company has the world’s largest marine visual dataset, built from over 80 million nautical miles.
Running on 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 providing AI-based alerts and recommendations, Orca AI can significantly reduce the probability of collisions with severe economic and human impact so that crews can focus on the most critical parts of their voyages. Plus, Orca AI’s technology significantly improves operational decision-making and voyage safety.
Major global shipping companies, including MSC, NYK, Scorpio, and Seaspan, already utilize Orca AI’s platform. And by helping mitigate accidents and operational issues, Orca AI enables hundreds of vessels to save billions of dollars in potential damage each year.
This 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. This capability is essential to developing autonomous navigation, providing unprecedented precision in vessel monitoring.
What the funding will be used for: This funding will enable Orca AI to further its autonomous platform, add new capabilities and enter new categories, including defense and security. And the funding will also enhance the company’s position as the market leader in autonomous shipping. The completion of this round brings Orca AI’s total funding raised to $111 million with OCV Partners and Mizmaa Ventures also participating in previous rounds.
KEY QUOTES:
“At Orca AI, we are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible when AI supports human decision-making at sea. 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.”
Yarden Gross, CEO and Co-Founder of Orca AI
“By combining innovation and deep maritime industry expertise, Orca AI is setting a new standard for the shipping industry, driving remarkable advancements to dramatically improve nautical safety and operations, while charting the course towards autonomous shipping.”
Ezra Berman, Vice President at Brighton Park Capital
“At Brighton Park, we are proud to support founder-led companies like Orca AI that harness frontier technology to address complex challenges and deliver real impact. We look forward to collaborating with the Orca AI team as they build a more resilient global supply chain.”
Sam Kentor, Partner at Brighton Park Capital
