Minnowtech

Minnowtech, founded in 2018, is a Baltimore-based aquaculture technology company addressing a critical challenge in the global shrimp farming market, an industry valued at over $50 billion. The company provides a solution for shrimp farmers who have historically been unable to accurately measure the population and biomass in their turbid ponds.

The company was co-founded by Dr. Suzan Shahrestani, Ken Malone, and Kelli Booth. Dr. Shahrestani, the CEO, developed the foundational expertise for Minnowtech during her PhD in Fisheries Science, where she used sonar to estimate jellyfish biomass in the murky waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Recognizing the commercial application of this skill, she partnered with Malone and Booth of the startup studio Early Charm to establish the company. This journey began after Shahrestani participated in the REEF entrepreneurship program at the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology in Baltimore.

Minnowtech’s core product is the BRS-1, a sonar-based system that provides real-time insights into shrimp populations. This device is placed under the pond's surface to collect data using sonar. The raw data is then processed in the cloud using machine learning and species-specific algorithms to deliver biomass estimations with up to 95% accuracy. This non-invasive method allows farmers to see their stock without disturbing the animals or relying on manual netting samples. The system is particularly effective for intensive farming operations with high stocking densities.

By providing accurate biomass data through an online portal or API, Minnowtech enables farmers to optimize their operations significantly. Clients can adjust feeding strategies to reduce costs and waste, plan harvest times to maximize revenue, and monitor mortality rates for early disease detection. The business model involves selling the hardware and charging a monthly fee for data reporting. The company has engaged in global operations, with trials and sales in Hawaii, Ecuador, Vietnam, and Australia, and is expanding into markets like Indonesia, Thailand, Peru, and Saudi Arabia.

Keywords: aquaculture technology, shrimp farming, biomass estimation, sonar imaging, machine learning, agritech, precision aquaculture, shrimp population monitoring, feed optimization, harvest planning, disease detection, marine technology, data-driven farming, sustainable aquaculture, aquatech, livestock monitoring, water turbidity, non-invasive assessment, farm optimization, real-time data