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https://thedriven.io/2026/08/27/electric-hydrofoiling-boat-maker-raises-27-million-to-meet-strong-demand-from-australian-cities/>
"New Zealand marine company Vessev has secured $A27 million in financing to
help it scale production of its electric hydrofoiling vessels, with Australia
quickly cementing itself as a promising market for the technology.
Vessev – founded in 2017 and headquartered in Auckland – has designed and built
what it believes is the most durable and efficient electric hydrofoiling
technology “in the world”, launching the VS-9 in 2024 with a cruise range of 40
nautical miles at 25 knots, and more recently another model called the VS-12.
Since then, Vessev has racked up numerous investors and partners, delivered
commercial vessels into service, and signed plans to deliver multiple VS-9 and
the newer VS-12 to customers in Sydney, Perth, and Tasmania, as well as its
first US customer.
It already has agreements to deliver multiple VS-12 vessels for a future water
transport network on Sydney Harbour, as well as orders for V-9 vessels for a
ferry network operating on the Swan River.
And it says Tasmanian newcomer Fly Derwent recently doubled its reservations to
ten vessels. Fly Derwent and Vessev announced their first partnership back in
April.
Vessev co-founder and CEO Eric Laakmann says Australia has quickly become one
of the most exciting markets for electric hydrofoiling.
“Australia currently has more planned electric hydrofoiling transport networks
than any other country,” said Laakmann, a former Apple lead engineer who helped
deliver the world’s first Apple Watch.
“Its cities are built around waterways that are still underused as transport
corridors and we’re seeing strong demand for a new kind of water transport that
is quiet, efficient, sustainable and commercially practical. This funding
allows us to scale production and continue building the vessels and technology
needed to get there faster.”
Vessev also named FlyTahoe, an emerging sustainable water transit network
operator in Lake Tahoe, California, as its first US customer. Vessev will
undertake a series of US demonstrations this year."
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*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
