Ocean Untapped Opportunity

Will O'Brien believes the ocean represents a massive untapped opportunity for startups, similar to how space has been for companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin. While everyone is looking toward the stars, the ocean remains underrated despite its enormous economic potential and need for technological innovation.

Key Points:

• The Ocean Economy is Already Massive:

  • Currently valued at approximately $3 trillion in annual spending
  • Covers 70% of the planet
  • 3 billion people rely on it as their primary food source
  • 1 billion people depend on it as their primary income source

• Technology in the Ocean is Outdated:

  • While we have robots on Mars and advanced drones in our skies, ocean technology lags behind
  • Ships use technology similar to what existed years ago
  • Underwater drones haven't evolved significantly
  • Core technology stacks supporting ocean industries remain stagnant

• Major Ocean Industries Ripe for Disruption:

  • Transport
  • Fisheries
  • Defense
  • Energy
  • Biodiversity

• Current State of Ocean Tech:

  • Dominated by large-scale incumbents
  • Running on ancient software
  • Very little innovation happening
  • Lacks "sexy" startups that capture public imagination (unlike SpaceX for space)

• Growing Strategic Importance:

  • Warfare is shifting to ocean theaters after decades of desert conflicts
  • Climate questions are ultimately ocean questions (ocean is the world's largest natural carbon sink)
  • AI infrastructure buildout requires underwater data cables and potentially ocean-based data centers

• Data Infrastructure Opportunities:

  • Most internet connections already travel through underwater cables
  • Initially built by telecom companies in the 1980s
  • Now being expanded by big tech companies (FAANG)
  • AI companies likely to be the next major investors
  • Ocean-based data centers offer significant cooling cost reductions

• Security Concerns Creating Opportunities:

  • Approximately 11 underwater cables have been cut by foreign actors in the past year
  • Protection of this critical infrastructure represents a major business opportunity