Italian startup Mirai Robotics raises $4.2M to develop autonomous maritime systems aimed at improving surveillance, safety and operations at sea.
Mirai Robotics, an Italian startup developing autonomous maritime systems, has raised $4.2 million in pre-seed funding to build robotic technologies designed to improve monitoring, safety and operations at sea.
The round — among the largest early-stage investments in Italy’s robotics and deep-tech sector — was led by Primo Ventures, Techshop and 40Jemz Ventures, with participation from several Italian and international angel investors.
The company is targeting a sector that underpins much of the global economy but remains technologically underdeveloped. More than 80 percent of global trade moves by sea, while over 90 percent of Europe’s foreign trade depends on maritime routes. At the same time, roughly 95 percent of international internet traffic travels through subsea cables.
Despite its importance, the maritime domain remains difficult to monitor and manage. High operating costs, limited visibility across large ocean areas and continued reliance on human operators present persistent challenges.
The industry also faces a growing workforce shortage, with many maritime roles becoming harder to fill and the average age of ship captains and operators steadily increasing.
Mirai Robotics says its technology is designed to address those gaps by deploying autonomous vehicles capable of conducting surveillance, monitoring and patrol operations across coastal and offshore environments.
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Building Robotics for the Ocean
The company focuses on integrating autonomous vehicles, advanced sensing systems, artificial intelligence and control software into platforms designed to operate continuously in harsh maritime conditions.
Mirai Robotics has already developed two autonomous vehicles intended for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions as well as maritime patrol operations.
The vehicles combine perception systems, autonomous navigation and remote control capabilities, allowing them to operate either independently or as part of coordinated fleets.
In addition to building its own robotic platforms, the company is developing autonomy and navigation technologies that can be integrated into third-party vessels. The approach is intended to allow commercial and government operators to adopt autonomous capabilities without redesigning their existing fleets.
Founded by Industry and Technology Veterans
Mirai Robotics was founded by Luciano Belviso, who serves as chief executive; Luca Mascaro, chief product and technology officer; and Davide Dattoli, a board member.
Belviso previously led Blackshape, an aircraft design and manufacturing company later acquired by Angel Holding. Mascaro founded Sketchin, a digital design firm later acquired by BIP Group, where he served as chief innovation officer. Dattoli is the founder of Talent Garden, a European network focused on technology and education.
The company draws on Italy’s long-standing maritime and shipbuilding expertise while incorporating newer advances in robotics, artificial intelligence and autonomous systems.
“The sea is one of the last major physical infrastructures not yet governed by software,” Belviso said. “Autonomy will play a critical role in making the oceans safer and more manageable, but it requires systems capable of operating reliably in extreme environments.”
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A Growing Opportunity in the “Blue Economy”
Investors say the maritime sector is entering a period of technological transformation.
“We’re looking at a massive global economy that still relies on operating models developed decades ago,” said Gianluca Dettori, partner at Primo Ventures. “Labor shortages and increasing operational risks make that model increasingly difficult to sustain.”
He added that technologies enabling autonomous monitoring and operations could become a foundational layer for the growing “blue economy,” which encompasses industries ranging from shipping and offshore energy to maritime security and environmental monitoring.
Mirai Robotics plans to use the new funding to accelerate product development, expand its engineering team and launch pilot projects with industrial and institutional partners.
