Cosma, the Nice-based DeepTech startup specializing in deep-sea ecosystem mapping, has just secured a €2.5 million funding round, marking a significant step in its mission to industrialize its autonomous drone fleet. The round was spearheaded by WIND and Ternel, with additional backing from 50 Partners, Caisse d’Épargne Côte d’Azur, and IFREMER, the scientific institution that originally launched the project. The funding is further bolstered by substantial non-dilutive public funding, including France 2030, which could potentially double the total amount raised.
Frédéric Mittaine, CEO of Cosma, underscored the company’s vision: “Cosma was born from the conviction that biological data should be just as accessible and reliable as physical measurements in marine projects. Our technology enables large-scale operations while placing biodiversity at the heart of decision-making.” Founded in 2022, Cosma is on a mission to industrialize the inventory and monitoring of benthic ecosystems, aiming to contribute to the preservation of ocean biodiversity. Their autonomous underwater robots collect up to 100,000 images per hectare of seabed, paired with a 3D photogrammetry system and algorithms capable of recognizing habitats and species. The resulting digital twin provides repeatable, reliable, and easy-to-interpret data, particularly for benthic ecosystems.
Romain Charraudeau, Director of Technology Transfer at IFREMER, highlighted the urgency of Cosma’s work: “To date, only 25% of the ocean floor has been mapped with high precision (less than 100 m x 100 m), and less than 1% of marine species are known. The need for knowledge is immense, and COSMA opens up new perspectives to better observe, understand, and protect our ocean.” Cosma’s technology is already proving its worth in scientific studies, helping to avoid sensitive species during offshore construction, ensuring the integrity of critical underwater infrastructure, and better understanding the role of seagrass meadows in coastal erosion.
Olivier Mougenot, General Partner at WIND, expressed enthusiasm for Cosma’s potential: “WIND was convinced by Cosma’s groundbreaking technology, its potential to become the ‘Google Maps’ of the seafloor, and its ability to protect both marine ecosystems and critical infrastructure.” The company’s early clients include heavyweights like RWE, EGIS, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and the French Navy (Marine Nationale). Timothée Poulain, Partner at Ternel, added: “Cosma embodies exactly the kind of innovation we want to support: an exceptional team, a transformational project for the ocean, and a clear vision for impact. We’re proud to co-lead this round alongside WIND.”
This new funding will enable Cosma to industrialize its drone fleet for deep-sea environments, strengthen its software platform and AI-powered analysis tools, and structure its operations to serve both public and private clients across Europe. Cosma believes its high-resolution, surface-level seafloor data meets a growing demand from public and industrial players for reliable measurement technologies, especially as security and biodiversity become new standards in major maritime infrastructure projects.
The implications of this development are far-reaching. As offshore renewable energy projects, underwater infrastructure, and marine conservation efforts expand, the need for precise, accessible, and actionable data on deep-sea ecosystems will only grow. Cosma’s technology could set a new standard for marine data collection, influencing how industries and governments approach ocean conservation and development. The company’s ability to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical applications could also accelerate advancements in marine technology, fostering a more sustainable and informed approach to ocean management.