Sea Power and Silicon Valley: Entrepreneurs & VCs Driving America's Maritime Resurgence
Today, Americans heavily depend on maritime transport, responsible for 80% of global trade. We rarely consider maritime logistics until disruptions — like the 2021 Suez Canal blockage or Covid-era delays — remind us of its critical role. America’s naval dominance has historically safeguarded global trade, underpinning our economy and security. Yet, despite its significance, maritime innovation has lagged behind sectors like aerospace or quantum computing in attracting venture capital.
Recently this trend has started changing. Recognizing the strategic importance of maritime technology, venture capitalists have begun seriously investing in the sector. Reflecting this shift, Alumni Ventures and our U.S. Strategic Tech Fund organized the inaugural Atlantic Maritime Tech Conference (AMTC) at Brooklyn Navy Yard’s Building 128 — a site symbolizing both America’s industrial legacy and its high-tech future.
Historical Context
American maritime dominance wasn’t inevitable; it resulted from persistent entrepreneurship and strategic vision. Early U.S. investors — akin to modern venture capitalists — financed maritime ventures in ship designs, trade routes, and technology innovations such as copper sheathing and marine chronometers. The Industrial Revolution amplified these efforts, introducing clipper ships and steam-powered vessels, drastically improving speed and efficiency.
The Civil War ushered in ironclad ships, sparking a naval arms race. Later, President Teddy Roosevelt demonstrated America’s naval strength globally with the Great White Fleet. Building 128, AMTC’s venue at Brooklyn Navy Yard, became an icon of American naval prowess during WWII, rapidly building ships and showcasing industrial might. Post-war containerization transformed global trade logistics further solidifying U.S. maritime dominance.
However, America’s maritime edge faded post-WWII as foreign nations like Japan, South Korea, and later China — supported by substantial government subsidies — began dominating shipbuilding. U.S. maritime innovation suffered due to insufficient investments and competitive challenges, causing a prolonged decline.
Why U.S. Maritime Matters
Reviving American maritime innovation is critical economically and strategically.
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Economic Prosperity
Maritime trade reduces consumer costs by 27%. International commerce, facilitated largely by sea, now totals $32 trillion annually, comprising nearly 30% of global GDP. - Home
Employment Opportunities
The sector supports over 10 million U.S. jobs. A revival could create significant new employment opportunities, shifting traditional roles toward advanced jobs in AI, cybersecurity, robotics, and renewable energy. Modern maritime innovation means highly skilled, high-paying positions in engineering, logistics, and advanced manufacturing. - Home
National and Economic Security
Maritime control underpins economic stability and the global dominance of the U.S. dollar. Losing control of key shipping routes risks economic instability and opens vulnerabilities to rival currencies and geopolitical shocks. - Home
Physical Security and Geopolitics
With China rapidly expanding its naval capabilities and Russia targeting Arctic regions, securing maritime routes is critical. Events like potential disruptions near Taiwan — essential to global semiconductor supply chains— illustrate the urgent need for maritime innovation. The South China Sea, another potential geopolitical flashpoint, is a pathway for $3.38 trillion in annual shipments of goods. This accounts for a third of global maritime trade.
To regain its maritime edge, America must heavily invest in AI-driven systems, autonomous vessels, resilient logistics networks, and technological agility.
A Framework for Success
The Atlantic Maritime Tech Conference highlighted that three key elements will determine the success of maritime innovation.
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Learning from Global Conflicts
The war in Ukraine demonstrates how smaller, tech-driven capabilities (drones, unmanned vessels, precision missiles) effectively counter larger traditional fleets. The Ukrainian sinking of Russia’s Moskva by a combination of space-based location systems and subsonic cruise missiles, supported by unmanned and manned innovations, underscores that maritime dominance now requires agility, adaptability, and superior coordination. - Home
Ecosystem and Organizational Support
Traditional maritime and defense industries are slowed by lengthy procurement cycles. New organizations like Newlab (Brooklyn Navy Yard’s Building 128), the Defense Innovation Unit, and bipartisan congressional caucuses (Defense Modernization Caucuses in House and Senate) are bridging this gap, fostering a supportive environment from idea generation to contract deployment. - Home
Venture Capital Investment
Private investment remains crucial. Maritime-focused venture capitalists fund startups across advanced manufacturing, autonomous vessel technology, and port modernization. These investments bolster America's ability to compete globally and maintain its strategic advantage.
Examples of Leading Maritime Innovators
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Havoc AI
This pioneering provider of AI-driven maritime defense solutions is an AV portfolio company. It demonstrated live, remote autonomous vessel operations at the AMTC event that offer rapid decision-making advantages vital to modern maritime defense. - Home
Vatn
Led by CEO Mills, Vatn is revolutionizing underwater vessel technology with advanced navigation software and energy-efficient waterjet propulsion. Its enhanced capabilities have covert operations and commercial applications. - Home
Saronic
Recently achieving unicorn status, Saronic raised significant capital to build Port Alpha. This high-capacity shipyard is designed to rapidly produce autonomous ships for defense purposes, showcasing the growing investor confidence in maritime tech. - Home
Blue Water Autonomy
Introduced publicly at the Atlantic Maritime Tech Conference, Blue Water automates large defense and cargo vessels. The company’s achievements represent major advancements in maritime technology and logistics efficiency.
Call to Action: Join America’s Maritime Future
The resurgence of American maritime power relies on collaboration between innovative companies and venture capitalists. AV’s Atlantic Maritime Tech Conference (AMTC) highlighted this potential, showcasing pioneering companies and key stakeholders dedicated to revitalizing America’s maritime industry.
To actively participate:
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Attend Our Events
Learn from experts on how emerging technology is reshaping naval and commercial maritime operations. - Home
Engage With Our Community
Connect with maritime leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors to foster meaningful partnerships. - Home
Consider Investing
Explore opportunities to invest in cutting-edge defense and security technologies, including maritime innovations, alongside Alumni Ventures.
America faces urgent maritime threats and opportunities. By bridging defense needs and private innovation, we can sustain economic growth, security, and technological leadership. The moment to act is now. Join us in securing America’s maritime future.
Learn More About the U.S. Strategic Tech Fund
We are seeing strong interest in our U.S. Strategic Tech Fund. If you’d like to join us, we recommend securing a spot promptly.
Invest in technologies vital to U.S. national interests in a portfolio of ~15-20 venture investments made over ~12-18 months — diversified by stage, sector, geography, lead investor.
Max Accredited Investor Limit: 249
Ryan Musto
Senior Associate, Blue Ivy & Nassau Street VenturesPrior to joining Alumni Ventures, Ryan co-founded and served as Chief Operating Officer of Cityline Technologies (acquired by RentButter), an AI underwriting software in the real estate space. He scaled the business across North America, spearheading all fundraising and business operations. Ryan holds a MSc with Distinction from the University of Oxford, where his research focused on Saudi Arabian developmental economics, and a BA from Cornell University, where he double majored in Near Eastern Studies and History. He loves learning languages (fluent Arabic, intermediate Italian, and beginner Korean) and is an avid skier and guitar player.
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