Post #51: Mapping UK Based Ocean Conservation Tech Startups
- henry belfiori
- Feb 7
- 5 min read
The UK is quietly becoming a hub for ocean conservation technology, with startups tackling some of the biggest threats to marine ecosystems—Reefs, biodiversity loss, plastic pollution, and unsustainable resource use. As the blue economy gains traction, innovation is playing a critical role in protecting the ocean while driving commercial opportunities.
From AI-powered ocean monitoring to sustainable fishing tech and waste-to-product solutions, UK-based startups are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. I found a lot the startups in this space were based in Scotland! A place of beauty.
This week on OTI, I map out 10 exciting UK ocean tech startups, briefly exploring their solutions, and stage. Apologies if you are a cool startup and I have missed you out - please get into contact if you're interested in being showcased. 🚀🌊
P.S. the below SMEs are at varying sizes and stages - more focussed mapping on recent start-ups is on my to do list - Enjoy!
1. ARC Marine
Company Name: ARC Marine
Founded Year: 2015
Founder(s): Tom Birbeck
Location (County & City): Torquay, Devon, England
Technology Focus Area: Artificial reef systems & marine habitat restoration
Company Description: ARC Marine designs and deploys eco-engineered “Reef Cubes” and other reef solutions to restore marine habitats, protect shorelines, and boost biodiversity.
Funding Stage: Early stage (Seed/Angel) — details undisclosed
Public Funding Received (if applicable): Reported support from programs such as Marine-i & possibly Innovate UK grants
Website & Contact Info:
Website: https://www.arcmarine.co.uk
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/arcmarine
2. Seafields
Company Name: Seafields
Founded Year: 2021
Founder(s): John Auckland, Richard Wills & Randall Purcell
Location (County & City): London, England
Technology Focus Area: Ocean-based carbon removal (sargassum farming)
Company Description: Seafields aims to farm and harvest sargassum in the Atlantic gyres, removing CO₂ at scale by sinking the seaweed to the ocean floor—helping mitigate climate change and protect marine ecosystems.
Funding Stage: Pre-Seed/Seed (emerging startup)
Public Funding Received (if applicable): Not publicly disclosed; may have accelerator/angel backing
Website & Contact Info:
Website: https://www.seafields.eco
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/seafields
3. Oceanium
Company Name: Oceanium
Founded Year: 2018
Founder(s): Dr. Charlie Bavington & Karen Scofield Seal
Location (County & City): Oban, Argyll and Bute, Scotland (with offices in London)
Technology Focus Area: Seaweed processing for sustainable packaging & food ingredients
Company Description: Oceanium develops technologies to transform sustainably farmed seaweed into biodegradable packaging, nutraceuticals, and food products—helping reduce plastic waste and promote regenerative aquaculture.
Funding Stage: Early stage (Seed/Series A) — has raised multiple rounds
Public Funding Received (if applicable): Known to have received Innovate UK grants and other EU/impact investment support
Website & Contact Info:
Website: https://www.oceanium.co.uk
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/oceanium-ltd
4. Kelpi
Company Name: Kelpi
Founded Year: 2020
Founder(s): Neil Morris, and Prof. Chris Chuck
Location (County & City): Bristol, England
Technology Focus Area: Seaweed-based compostable packaging
Company Description: Kelpi creates advanced seaweed-based packaging materials that are compostable and marine-safe, targeting single-use plastic pollution in various consumer and industrial applications.
Funding Stage: Seed/Pre-Series A (raised initial venture funding)
Public Funding Received (if applicable): Has received Innovate UK grants and other research support
Website & Contact Info:
Website: https://kelpi.net
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/kelpi-ltd
5. EVA Biosystems
Company Name: E.V.A. Biosystems
Founded Year: 2023/2024
Founder(s) Name: Dr. Alexander Speakman
Location (County & City): Edinburgh, Scotland (United Kingdom)
Technology Focus Area: Smart plastic that self-destructs/degrades in the sea
Company Description: A spinout from the University of Edinburgh developing novel biodegradable polymer technology designed to break down rapidly in marine environments, thereby reducing plastic pollution in the ocean.
Funding Stage: Not publicly disclosed in the provided information
Public Funding Received (if applicable): Earning a £30,000 cash prize and £19,500 of in-kind business support from SSE and Converge’s network of industry partners to develop the business. £20,000 from UoEdin.
6. Notpla
Company Name: Notpla
Founded Year: 2019 (previously Skipping Rocks Lab ~2014)
Founder(s): Pierre Paslier & Rodrigo García González
Location (County & City): London, England
Technology Focus Area: Seaweed-based edible packaging (sachets, films)
Company Description: Notpla creates innovative, biodegradable and even edible packaging made from seaweed, aiming to reduce single-use plastic in industries like beverage, cosmetics, and food delivery.
Funding Stage: Has raised multiple rounds (Seed/Series A) with notable investors
Public Funding Received (if applicable): Known Innovate UK and EU support early on; also major commercial partnerships
Website & Contact Info:
Website: https://notpla.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/notpla
7. CuanTec
Company Name: CuanTec
Founded Year: ~2017/2018
Founder(s): Dr. Ryan Taylor
Location (County & City): Often listed in Motherwell or Glasgow area, Scotland
Technology Focus Area: Circular economy biotech (chitin-based packaging from shellfish waste)
Company Description: CuanTec extracts chitin from seafood by-products to produce fully compostable and anti-microbial bioplastics—reducing plastic pollution and valorising waste streams.
Funding Stage: Seed (exploring Series A)
Public Funding Received (if applicable): Has received Innovate UK grants and other R&D funding
Website & Contact Info:
Website: https://cuantec.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/cuantec-ltd
8. Seawater Solutions
Company Name: Seawater Solutions
Founded Year: 2017
Founder(s): Yanik Nyberg
Location (County & City): Glasgow, Scotland
Technology Focus Area: Constructed wetlands & saltwater agriculture for climate resilience
Company Description: Seawater Solutions transforms degraded farmland into saltmarsh ecosystems, growing salt-tolerant crops while boosting biodiversity, sequestering carbon, and protecting coastal environments.
Funding Stage: Early stage (Seed/Angel)
Public Funding Received (if applicable): Possible Innovate UK and/or Zero Waste Scotland support
Website & Contact Info:
Website: https://www.seawatersolutions.org
9. NatureMetrics
Company Name: NatureMetrics
Founded Year: 2015 (significant scale-up ~2018 onward)
Founder(s): Dr. Kat Bruce & Dr. Natalie West
Location (County & City): Guildford, Surrey, England
Technology Focus Area: eDNA monitoring for marine/freshwater/terrestrial biodiversity
Company Description: NatureMetrics uses environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis to measure species presence and biodiversity health, helping conservationists, governments, and industries make informed decisions to protect ecosystems.
Funding Stage: Series A/B (has raised multi-million-pound rounds)
Public Funding Received (if applicable): Has received Innovate UK support and other grants; also part of major conservation initiatives
Website & Contact Info:
Website: https://www.naturemetrics.co.uk
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/naturemetrics
10. C Cell Renewables
Company Name: C Cell Renewables
Founded Year: ~2015
Founder(s): Will Bateman
Location (County & City): Buckinghamshire, England
Technology Focus Area: Electrically stimulated reef structures & coral restoration
Company Description:C Cell Renewables deploys a patented “mineral accretion” process that uses low-voltage electrical current on metal frames underwater, accelerating coral growth to restore reefs and protect coastlines.
Funding Stage: Early stage (Seed/Angel)
Public Funding Received (if applicable): Innovate UK - similar grant funding; details not widely disclosed
Website & Contact Info:
Website: https://www.ccell.co.uk
Thank you for reading this brief snapshot of some of the most exciting ocean conservation tech startups currently shaping the UK’s blue tech landscape. This blog is just a taste of what’s out there—I’m passionate about this sector and plan to continue sharing more in-depth market research on emerging tech and startups not only in the UK and EU but beyond. Stay tuned for more insights as we explore the dynamic world of blue tech innovation together.
PEACE OUT
H
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