Navier

Navier is a maritime technology company founded in 2020 by MIT alumni Sampriti Bhattacharyya (CEO) and Reo Baird (former CTO), and is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. Bhattacharyya brings a background in aerospace engineering, with experience at NASA, and a Ph.D. from MIT in mechanical engineering, specializing in autonomous marine robotics. Her journey from an aspiring physicist in India to a tech entrepreneur includes founding a previous startup, Hydroswarm, which developed underwater drones. Baird is a lifelong marine enthusiast with a background in aerospace, computer science, and robotics.

The company is focused on decarbonizing the maritime industry by producing high-performance, all-electric hydrofoiling vessels designed to significantly reduce operational costs. Navier's business model targets both the recreational boating market and commercial clients, including ferry services and water taxi companies. A pilot program with Stripe to transport employees in the San Francisco Bay Area showcases its application for corporate mobility. The long-term vision is to establish a new mode of mass transportation through a network of water taxis in congested coastal cities, aiming to make waterways as accessible as highways.

Navier's flagship product is the N30, a 30-foot boat that utilizes hydrofoils to lift the hull out of the water, reducing hydrodynamic drag by up to 90%. This design, built with a lightweight carbon-fiber hull, allows the vessel to achieve a range of over 75 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 20 knots, making it one of the longest-range electric boats on the market. The N30 is powered by twin 90kW electric motors and can reach a top speed of 35 knots. A key technological component is HIRO, a proprietary flight control software that uses sensors to adjust the foils in real-time, ensuring a smooth ride over waves and minimizing seasickness. The vessel also features advanced autonomous capabilities, including waypoint following, hazard alerts, and an auto-docking function. Production of the N30 began in partnership with boatbuilder Lyman-Morse in Maine, with the first customer delivery occurring in October 2024.

Keywords: electric boats, hydrofoil technology, maritime transportation, Sampriti Bhattacharyya, N30, sustainable boating, marine robotics, water taxi, autonomous vessels, marine electrification, carbon fiber hull, flight control system, long-range electric vessel, Reo Baird, Lyman-Morse, HIRO software, advanced composites, zero-emission marine, coastal transport, venture capital