Online Oceans raised funding to scale its autonomous vessels and fleet software, enabling continuous maritime monitoring for defence and security through connected, low-cost deployments.
UK-based maritime defence startup Online Oceans has raised £4 million in funding to scale its autonomous surface vessels and fleet software platform. The round was led by Seraphim Space, with participation from investors including Peter Rive, Frank Thieser, Florian Seibel, and Koro Capital.
Founded in 2025 by George Morton and Alistair Douglas, Online Oceans is developing autonomous systems designed to enable persistent maritime coverage. Its offering combines Scout, a compact solar-powered autonomous surface vessel, with Tether, a cloud-based command-and-control platform that allows operators to manage missions, monitor assets, and access data in real time.
The company is targeting use cases including anti-submarine warfare, protection of subsea infrastructure, border security, and counter-drug smuggling. Its platform supports dense, continuously connected fleets, offering an alternative to traditional approaches that rely on costly crewed vessels or limited autonomous deployments.
Commenting on the need for more cost-effective maritime monitoring, George Morton, founder and CEO of Online Oceans, said:
We built Online Oceans to provide a more practical and scalable way for governments and operators to monitor critical waters, protect infrastructure, and maintain awareness over extended periods.
The new funding will be used to scale manufacturing, support deployments, and expand the company’s ability to meet growing demand across defence and commercial markets. While building from Europe, Online Oceans is positioning itself to address global demand for persistent maritime monitoring and infrastructure.