TechinAsia
BeeX, a Singapore-based autonomous underwater robotics startup, raised a seven-figure US dollar investment in a seed round.
Cap Vista, the investment arm of Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency led the round. IMC Ventures, Seeds Capital, the National University of Singapore (NUS), and Quest Ventures’ maritime fund, ShipsFocus, also participated in the round.
The firm’s hardware team will also commission a larger and more powerful hovering autonomous underwater vehicle (HAUV) suitable for harsher conditions in offshore solar and wind energy projects.
Each robot can be programed to complete a particular task and left to complete it while being monitored remotely. The autonomous underwater robot can travel to depths of up to 300 meters.
As the world warms up to renewable energy, BeeX is looking to capitalize on the rapid growth of offshore green energy projects, where underwater infrastructure needs to be inspected regularly.
“BeeX’s marine autonomy technology will revolutionize underwater inspections and disrupt the maritime sector, and contribute to applications in sustainability and defense,” said Chng Zhen Hao, CEO of Cap Vista, which backs BeeX. “Cap Vista is pleased to be supporting a homegrown company building dual-use deep tech capabilities and cultivating its talent pool in Singapore.”
Launched in 2003, Cap Vista invests in deeptech startups with potential applications for defense and security. The strategic investor works with defense partners and the broader startup ecosystem to nurture and grow such firms.
Some of Cap Vista’s portfolio companies include Atomionics, a maker of quantum sensors; Bifrost, a synthetic data tool maker for AI teams; and Transcelestial, a high-speed internet connectivity firm.
