Lili-marie Martin
Cassandre Letortu
Lucas Leblond
Arthur Leprévost
Toulouse Business School
LOPEZ DELPHINE
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Seaproven designs and operates autonomous electric vessels (Sphyrna ALV) to collect variable ocean data. This harvest is done from the coast to the deep sea.
The objective is to revolutionize ocean data collection to radically transform the knowledge of the oceans (which represent 70% of the planet's total surface). In this way, thanks to the data, maritime stakeholders will have support for an eco-responsible transition.
The company has developed an innovative solution to enhance the surveillance and monitoring of maritime spaces - the Sphyrna ALV. This autonomous vessel is designed to provide a more efficient and cost-effective presence in the sea, with three main features: extreme stability, high speed, and long-lasting autonomy. In addition, the goal of the Sphyrna is to collect lots of data (such as temperature, salinity, water quality, depth, etc.) to analyze these data with algorithms in order to provide information about the state of the marine ecosystem. With its autonomous capabilities, the vessel can operate 24/7 without needing crew relief due to its low power consumption. Sea Proven's commitment to eco-design also ensures that the Sphyrna ALV has a neutral environmental impact throughout its life cycle.
The company’s CEO and founder, Fabien de Varenne, used to be a sailor, explaining his strong relationship, respect for the sea, and fascination for marine species. Mr. De Varenne stated, "I grew up next to the sea. I have always been fascinated by marine species. I have seen pollution invade the beaches and deteriorate the sea. I wanted to act and realized that technology could help us solve these problems."
Thanks to the data collected by Sea Proven, more than 1000 km2 have been mapped. Therefore is scope for a better understanding of the state of the marine ecosystem and more effective conservation measures. For example, In 2020, during the worldwide lockdown, Sea Proven was able to go to sea, and they found out that the behavior of the animals changed due to the decrease in maritime traffic (noise). Mr. De Varenne remains modest regarding the impact of Sea Proven; "we collect data, but we are far from the final result." However, he admits that Sean Proven is a "link in the chain" and claims, "We hope to change things; we would like to change things."
Moreover, the impact of Sea Proven is beyond the maritime domain. Indeed the company's customer book is very varied. In fact, they often work with space companies; as he said during the interview, “It's a maritime project, but we have a lot of links with space, both in operation and with the market." The data collected by Sphyrna are used to complete the information that satellites miss since they have no calibration.
Sea Proven has been able to leverage its innovative drone technology to expand its customer base and establish a niche in the maritime industry. The company's focus on research and development has enabled it to develop cutting-edge products that are in high demand. Their drones have been used to inspect hulls, locate underwater leaks, and conduct surveys on oil rigs, among other things.
Sea Proven's economic viability and profitability are evident. Since its creation in 2017, the company has experienced steady growth, with an annual revenue of 500,000 euros in 2020, up 25% from the previous year. With a team of 10 passionate employees, Sea Proven continues to grow and innovate, offering innovative solutions for preserving marine life. The company has successfully partnered with major corporations such as Total to develop its marine drone project for ocean monitoring and exploration. This collaboration with large companies demonstrates Sea Proven's economic viability and ability to generate revenue while maintaining its objective of protecting marine life.
Furthermore, Sea Proven's approach to sustainability and environmental protection has helped it attract environmentally conscious customers and partners. By providing a solution that reduces the environmental impact of maritime operations, the company has been able to differentiate itself from its competitors and establish a reputation as a socially responsible business.
Sea Proven's drone technology has the potential to revolutionize the maritime industry by reducing the environmental impact of operations such as mass fishing. By providing a more efficient and effective alternative to traditional inspection methods, Sea Proven's drones can help minimize the carbon footprint of maritime operations, reduce the risk of accidents and spills, and protect marine ecosystems. Fabien de Varenne said, “A sustainable management of the sea (which represents 71% of the planet's surface) is key to protecting the planet. The generation of hydrocarbon pollution, chemical pollution, radioactivity, and noise pollution must be limited."
The company also makes these data accessible since 2018. A dozen scientific publications since 2018(after each departure at sea), and these scientific publications are often world firsts that can increase public awareness of marine preservation.
Additionally, Sea Proven's focus on sustainability has led to developing partnerships with organizations such as The Ocean Cleanup, an initiative to remove plastic from the ocean. The company has removed 5 tons of plastic since its creation in 2017. Also, they have implemented a recycling program for their plastic components, resulting in over 10 tons of plastic waste being recycled in 2020 alone. This program not only helps reduce plastic pollution in the ocean but also contributes to a more circular economy. Sea Proven has provided drones to assist with the cleanup effort, demonstrating its commitment to environmental protection.
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Fabien Burignot de Varenne, Founder
Sea Proven, a French company founded in 2016 by Fabien de Varenne, specializes in ocean mega-data collection. They use autonomous drones to collect ocean data to provide valuable insights into the health of marine ecosystems and the effects of climate change on the oceans. The company's goal is to raise awareness about ocean conservation for the sustainable management of marine resources. To do so, Sea Proven provides its services to various clients such as governments, environmental organizations, maritime industry companies, aquaculture businesses, and even space companies.