Local Monopoly Strategy

Will O'Brien's company focuses on using underwater robots (AUVs) to restore seagrass in the ocean, establishing a local monopoly in an unexplored niche before expanding to other marine applications.

Business Strategy

• Start with a Local Monopoly:

  • Find a space "where there's nobody else doing stuff with technology"
  • Target an area "nobody's ever heard of what you're even doing initially"
  • Choose a market that's "pretty big" where you can "bring cash into your business"

• Seagrass Restoration as Entry Point:

  • Identified seagrass as the initial focus area
  • Discovered through a co-founder who learned about seagrass from a marine biologist during a surf trip
  • Researched deeply at institutions like Duke University

• Technology Development:

  • Built underwater autonomous vehicles (AUVs)
  • Designed robots specifically for ocean applications
  • Co-founder designed their AUV after exploring underwater caves

• Business Validation:

  • "We wouldn't have a million dollars in our bank account without it"
  • Accomplished significant milestones in just five months

• Expansion Strategy:

  • Using seagrass restoration as a "launching pad to do other interesting things in the ocean"
  • Planning to leverage initial success to move into other marine applications