- Founded in 2015 by the Galic brothers, Unseen Labs uses satellites to detect radio frequencies from ships trying to avoid detection, offering real-time maritime surveillance across the globe.
- Their system tracks vessels using a single satellite, even when ships disable their tracking systems, providing faster and more precise data than competitors, regardless of weather conditions.
- With €112.5 million in funding and 13 satellites launched, it is expanding to provide global maritime monitoring by 2026, serving industries like environmental protection and defense.
Imagine a kingdom where a vigilant king can oversee the entire realm without being seen, ensuring that every ship entering his waters is accounted for.
This kingdom is vast - aerospace, covering more than 360 million square kilometers of ocean. Yet, many ships choose to sail in secrecy, hiding their true identities.
Unseen Labs plays the role of this all-seeing king. It was founded in 2015 by two brothers with a deep passion for space.
The Empire's Origins: Founders and Vision
The Galic brothers, Clément and Jonathan, envisioned a way to bring precise surveillance to the seas. Clément, the CEO, is a specialist in high-capacity systems, while Jonathan, the CTO, is an expert in satellite observation.
What did they do?
They built a proprietary satellite constellation, aiming to detect radio frequencies from ships that have turned off their tracking systems.
A Kingdom Guarded by Advanced Products & Technology
Unseen Labs' products function like a silent observer, able to detect and track any ship using its passive electromagnetic signature.
Even when ships turn off their Automatic Identification System (AIS)—the primary method for identifying vessels—Unseen Labs can find them.
This technology enables them to address a significant gap in maritime surveillance, as traditional systems can be tampered with or simply disabled by the ships themselves.
What makes it unique is its ability to detect RF emissions from ships using just a single satellite. This method contrasts with competitors who rely on satellite clusters.
By doing so, they achieve faster and more precise data collection, regardless of weather conditions or time of day.
This breakthrough is poised to change the dynamics of the maritime industry, allowing governments, environmental organizations, and shipping companies to monitor sensitive sea areas with unprecedented accuracy.
The Expanding Kingdom: Funding & Growth
Unseen Labs is not only making waves in the maritime world but also in the investment sphere. With €112.5 million raised over four funding rounds, the startup has attracted high-profile investors, including S2G Ventures and ISALT.
Their most recent Series C round was in February 2024, signaling strong confidence in their future.
By the end of 2025, it aims to offer near-real-time maritime surveillance services globally, further cementing its place as a leader in the industry.
Why This Kingdom is Different
Their satellites track ships based on their electromagnetic "fingerprints," ensuring that no vessel, whether involved in illegal fishing, pollution, or smuggling, goes undetected.
Below are some of the standout features of their technology:
- Global Coverage: Continuous expansion of their satellite constellation will enable full coverage of the globe with half-hour revisit times by 2026.
- Near Real-Time Tracking: Unseen Labs’ technology delivers data faster than traditional systems, ensuring quicker response times.
- Unrivaled Accuracy: Ships can no longer hide. With tamper-proof data and precise geolocation, Unseen Labs identifies and tracks ships anywhere in the world, regardless of whether their AIS is turned off.
- Applications Across Sectors: From maritime traffic and environmental protection to security and defense, the technology serves a wide range of industries.
The Future of the Maritime Kingdom
As of May 2024, Unseen Labs has launched 13 CubeSats with plans to launch four more by the end of the year.
The company is also investing in a new generation of 150-kilogram satellites, which will further expand its capabilities by 2026.
These new satellites will track not just maritime vessels but also emitters on land, in the air, and space, making Unseen Labs a critical player in global RF surveillance.
Their commitment to safeguarding the oceans makes them not just a leader in their field but also a guardian of the world's most vital resource.
Edited By Annette George
