Photo: ©ELWAVE/FIS

Seeing Underwater: ELWAVE Secures €6 Million Funding for Advanced Electromagnetic Sensor Technology

French Tech Company Revolutionizes Subsea Inspection with 'E-Pulse' Inspired by Fish

ELWAVE, a French technology company, has successfully secured over €6 million in funding to advance its cutting-edge electromagnetic sensors for underwater drones and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). The technology, named E-Pulse, is inspired by the unique electro-sensing abilities of certain fish species, allowing for unprecedented real-time 360° visibility in complex marine and industrial environments. This funding boost and strategic refinement were achieved with support from the BlueInvest Readiness Assistance programme.

 ©ELWAVE

Smarter, Safer Underwater Inspection

As underwater operations, particularly in the energy and defense sectors, become more complex, the demand for precise, reliable sensing to locate buried infrastructure like pipelines and cables is critical. ELWAVE’s E-Pulse technology addresses this challenge directly. Unlike traditional systems that are often bulky or limited in detection capability, E-Pulse is designed to fit into small underwater vehicles, providing a significant operational advantage.

The sensors are capable of detecting a wide range of materials—including metals and non-metallic objects like plastics—that conventional technologies often miss. For example, the technology allows ROVs to quickly locate and map buried pipelines or cables, which makes inspection tasks faster, more cost-effective, and significantly safer. This enhanced detection capability is crucial for reducing the risk of accidental damage to vital subsea assets.

ELWAVE’s advanced sensor ©ELWAVE

Defence and Global Expansion

Beyond industrial inspection, ELWAVE's technology is also utilized by defence contractors for critical tasks such as underwater infrastructure surveillance, mine countermeasures, and anti-submarine operations, showcasing its versatility and strategic importance.

The company's journey began in 2018 when it was founded by Pierre Tuffigo as a spinoff from the Institut Mines-Télécom in France. The core concept was to mimic the biological advantage of fish, such as sharks and electric fish, that use natural electromagnetic fields to navigate and sense objects in murky waters.

Thanks to the support and guidance provided by a BlueInvest coach, ELWAVE rapidly refined its international strategy and successfully raised more than €6 million. CEO Pierre Tuffigo noted that the coach provided "very useful connections in the funding landscape, which helped us grow our business.” The company is now preparing for a further funding round aimed at accelerating its global expansion and improving its software and sensor integration to deliver even clearer data to clients worldwide.

About BlueInvest

BlueInvest is the European Union's innovation and investment platform dedicated to supporting the blue economy. It offers essential services, including business coaching, fundraising support, and networking opportunities, for high-potential ocean technology companies like ELWAVE. Interested parties can register with the BlueInvest Community or contact [email protected] for more information on the programme features and opportunities available.

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