Hyperkelp

HyperKelp Inc. is a developer of ocean data technology focused on providing access to real-time information from any point on the ocean's surface. Founded in 2021 by CEO Dr. Graeme Rae, the Encinitas, California-based company addresses the critical gap in ocean monitoring. Dr. Rae, with a Ph.D. in Ocean Engineering and decades of experience, including creating forecasting models for Surfline and consulting for military and environmental sectors, leads the company. He is joined by CTO Costas Soler, whose background spans NASA's Space Sciences Laboratory and developing robotic control software, and Operations Director Lisa Flower-Rae, who brings 25 years of experience in healthcare, operations, and project management.

The company operates on a dual-use platform model, serving both government and commercial markets. The business model involves deploying its proprietary buoys, gathering extensive ocean data, and then selling subscriptions to these data feeds. Although this requires an initial hardware investment, the long-term strategy mirrors space-based earth observation companies, offering comprehensive Ocean Data as a Service (ODaaS). Key government clients include the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force, with a focus on maritime domain awareness, such as missile detection and surveillance. Commercial markets include weather forecasting, climate science, ports and harbors, and the aquaculture industry. The company has secured significant contracts, including a $1.8 million contract from the U.S. Air Force and a $1.3 million contract from the U.S. Navy to advance buoy-based counter-hypersonic sensing technology.

HyperKelp's core product is the Kelp Smart Buoy (KSB), a solar-powered, sensor-agnostic platform. These buoys are designed to collect, process, and transmit a wide array of data in real-time to an internet-accessible dashboard. The modular architecture of the KSB supports over 150 sensor types, allowing customization for various missions, from monitoring water quality and sea-level rise to detecting airborne dust. The KSB-A (A-Class) model provides a payload capacity of 100 lbs for missions lasting up to three years, while the KSB-M (M-Class) is a smaller, sonobuoy-deployable version designed for rapid, large-scale deployment by existing naval systems for defense purposes. This technology offers a more efficient and reliable method for gathering accurate data compared to traditional satellite readings or underwater hardware.

Keywords: ocean data, smart buoys, maritime intelligence, environmental monitoring, data-as-a-service, defense technology, climate science, aquaculture technology, real-time data, sensor platforms