A robotics startup from Cumbria has secured a major investment to advance its innovative solution for cleaning the world's ships. ScrubMarine, based in Whitehaven, has raised more than $1 million in a pre-seed funding round led by PXN Ventures and SFC Capital.
The Biofouling Problem and a Robotic Solution
Founded by robotics engineer Rohith Devanathan when he was just 21, alongside co-founder Clyne Albertelli, ScrubMarine targets the costly issue of 'biofouling'. This is the accumulation of molluscs, crustaceans, and slime on ships' hulls during voyages. The company states this growth can increase a vessel's fuel consumption by up to 40%, boosting harmful emissions and costing the global shipping industry over $100 billion every year.
To solve this, ScrubMarine is developing an autonomous two-part system. The core is a submersible robot named the Turtle, designed to remove fouling and capture inspection data. This is deployed and managed by an autonomous surface platform called the Whale, enabling operations without the need for divers or specialised port infrastructure.
Fueling Growth and Pilot Projects
The new capital, which closed on 21 December 2025, will be pivotal for ScrubMarine's next phase. The funding will be used to complete a working prototype, expand the engineering team across its bases in Whitehaven, Cumbria, and Edinburgh, and progress towards initial pilot deployments with commercial ship operators.
The investment round was spearheaded by PXN Ventures, investing via the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II), with significant support from SFC Capital. Notable angel investors include Graham Westgarth, former president of the UK Chamber of Shipping, and former Apple regional chief Colin Greene.
Backing Innovation from the North
Rohith Devanathan highlighted the timing and location of the venture: "With fuel costs rising and emissions regulations tightening, hull maintenance has become a critical issue for operators worldwide. Being based in Whitehaven gives us access to strong engineering capability while building technology that can be deployed globally."
Jess Jackson, PraeSeed lead at PXN Ventures, commented: "ScrubMarine is a strong example of the kind of innovative, globally scalable business emerging from the North. With Northern Powerhouse backing, the team is well placed to build advanced robotics capability in Cumbria while serving international markets."
Ed Stevenson of SFC Capital praised the team's "strong engineering talent with a clear understanding of the operational realities of global shipping," while Sue Barnard of the British Business Bank said the NPIF II funding would help ScrubMarine develop its product, create skilled jobs, and move towards commercial pilots.
