Congratulations to our network member, Hullbot, for raising $16 million in a Series A funding round to scale its autonomous hull-cleaning robots internationally.
The funds will be used to expand Australian-built robotics production, develop larger robotic platforms, and grow Hullbot’s service hubs worldwide.
The round was led by US-based Regeneration VC with support from Climate Tech Partners, marking the first investment from its new fund backing technologies for emissions reduction in hard-to-abate industries. Other investors include Katapult Ocean, Folklore, Trinity Ventures, Rypples, NewSouth Innovations, and Bandera Capital.
Founded in 2014 by CEO Tom Loefler and CTO Karl Watfern, Hullbot has become a leader in maritime robotics innovation. Its award-winning autonomous robot reduces fuel consumption by 10–26% by cleaning biofouling—plants, algae, and barnacles—from vessel hulls, significantly improving efficiency and reducing drag.
To date, Hullbot has completed over 1,000 paid hull cleans for ferry operators and small cruise vessels worldwide, preventing more than 3,600 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
Loefler said the company’s mission is to help the shipping industry cut emissions, costs, and ocean impacts simultaneously:
“By scaling our service globally, we can deliver fuel savings and decarbonisation today while preparing the industry for stricter regulations tomorrow.”
Hullbot’s next innovation, BigBot, will build on its current platform, enabling the robot to travel with vessels for continuous hull maintenance.
Climate Tech Partners co-founder Tom Kline described Hullbot as poised to become a global standard:
“We see extraordinary potential for Hullbot to lead the world in autonomous hull maintenance and maritime emissions reduction.”
Among Hullbot’s customers is NRMA Marine, which operates Manly Fast Ferry, Fantasea Cruising, Palm Beach Hopper, Gordon River Cruises, and Coral Expeditions.
NRMA Marine CEO Nell Payne said:
“Hullbot has delivered exceptional results for our fleet. We’ve seen a strong ROI through significant fuel savings and reduced CO₂ emissions.”
