Ulysses Pre-Seed Round, November 2024

Ulysses Ecosystem Engineering, a drone technology startup focused on marine habitat restoration, has raised $2 million in pre-seed funding. The round was led by Lowercarbon Capital, with participation from Superorganism and other sustainability-focused investors. Based in Ireland, Ulysses Ecosystem Engineering has developed low-cost, high-efficiency marine drones specifically designed to restore seagrass meadows at a fraction of traditional costs, which they aim to make 10 times cheaper and up to 100 times faster than conventional restoration methods.

Seagrass meadows are critical to ocean biodiversity and play a significant role in carbon sequestration. Although they cover only a small portion of the seafloor, these underwater ecosystems capture up to 35 times more carbon per acre than rainforests, supporting endangered species and stabilizing coastal areas. However, seagrass meadows are declining globally at a rate of 7% per year due to human activity, prompting a surge in interest in large-scale restoration. Ulysses Ecosystem Engineering’s drones automate and expedite the restoration process by collecting seeds from donor meadows, planting them in degraded areas, and monitoring growth remotely.

Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer Will O’Brien highlighted the limitations of traditional restoration, which relies on divers to manually collect and replant seeds. “Traditional methods involve divers who are constrained by time, safety regulations, and weather conditions. Our autonomous drones can operate continuously, unaffected by such limitations, significantly accelerating the restoration process,” O’Brien explained. The drones’ autonomous capabilities allow them to collect, plant, and monitor seagrass at depths of up to 300 meters, without the health risks or logistical constraints divers face.

Ulysses has already completed successful trials with the University of Western Australia, demonstrating higher growth and germination rates than manual methods. In collaboration with local government agencies and conservation organizations, the company is preparing for large-scale projects, including an initiative called "Gigameadow One," set to become one of the largest seagrass restoration projects globally. According to O’Brien, these trials aim to determine optimal planting conditions, such as seasonality and seeding density, to maximize the effectiveness of the restoration efforts.

The startup’s modular drone design is a key factor in reducing costs and scaling production. The drones incorporate parts and technology similar to those used in electric vehicles and robotics, allowing for mass manufacturing. “Our approach from the beginning was to design our drones with a modular architecture, making it easy to scale production and achieve economies of scale,” O’Brien noted.

Beyond ecosystem restoration, Ulysses Ecosystem Engineering’s projects align with international climate and biodiversity goals. The EU’s Nature Restoration Law and growing demand for “blue carbon” credits—carbon captured in coastal ecosystems like seagrass—create additional incentives for governments and corporations to invest in seagrass restoration. By partnering with organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and regional governments in Florida and Australia, Ulysses is positioned to make a significant impact on global conservation efforts.

This funding will enable Ulysses to scale its operations, expand its fleet of drones, and conduct further research in collaboration with academic and environmental organizations. With the backing of sustainability-focused investors, Ulysses Ecosystem Engineering is set to advance marine habitat restoration, leveraging technology to achieve large-scale, efficient, and impactful environmental recovery.