Hullbot Raises $16M to Scale Autonomous Hull-Cleaning Robots for Greener Shipping

Australia’s ocean robotics startup Hullbot has secured $16 million in Series A funding to expand production, develop larger robotic platforms, and grow its international service network.

The round was led by Regeneration.VC, with participation from Katapult Ocean, Climate Tech Partners, Folklore Ventures, Trinity Ventures, Rypples, NewSouth Innovations, Artesian, and Impact Ventures/Ocean Impact Collective.

Founded in Sydney, Hullbot builds autonomous underwater robots that clean and inspect ship hulls on a frequent, proactive schedule. By preventing marine biofouling—a buildup that can increase fuel burn by more than 20%—the company reports average fuel savings of 15%, and up to 26% in some fleets. This translates into lower operating costs, reduced emissions, and diminished spread of invasive species.

Shipping contributes roughly 1 billion tonnes of CO₂ annually, making hull efficiency a key target for decarbonization. Hullbot has already serviced more than 82 vessels across the US, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, from ferries to commercial and fishing fleets.

“We’re proving that Australian innovation can help decarbonize one of the world’s hardest-to-abate sectors,” said founder and CEO Tom Loefler. “This raise allows us to scale our impact at the intersection of shipping efficiency, decarbonization, and ocean health.”