Whale Seeker
Whale Seeker is a Montreal-based AI company that builds computer vision tools for detecting marine mammals and birds from aerial, drone, satellite, and infrared imagery, serving government agencies, offshore energy, shipping, fishing, and conservation organizations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersMontréal, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Whale Seeker does
Whale Seeker, Inc. is a Montreal-based AI company founded in 2018 that builds computer vision systems for detecting marine mammals and birds from aerial, drone, satellite, and infrared imagery. The company sells to government wildlife and transport agencies (Transport Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada), offshore energy and maritime operators, fishing companies, and conservation NGOs, addressing regulatory compliance, vessel-strike prevention, and species-at-risk monitoring. Its product portfolio includes Möbius (aerial imagery analysis with human-in-the-loop validation), Möbius Observer (real-time drone-based alerts), Cetus (satellite-powered detection for vast ocean areas), and Arc (infrared forward-facing detection under development for shipboard and nighttime use).
The underlying technology is proprietary computer vision and deep learning models trained on a continuously expanding labeled dataset of 165,000+ marine mammal detections, with expert biologists validating model outputs to ensure biological accuracy. The company cites a 97% reduction in detection time compared with fully manual methods, and its products detect species ranging from porpoises to large cetaceans, as well as seals, walrus, sharks, penguins, and polar bears. The company is B Corp certified, has earned two IRCAI-UNESCO Global Top 100 recognitions (2022 for Möbius, 2024 for Cetus), and is backed by Techstars, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, and multiple Canadian federal grants.
The business model is enterprise sales-led with quote-based pricing. Revenue streams include subscription/recurring SaaS for the AI detection platforms, professional services (training, support, custom implementation), and project-based detection services (analysis of satellite, aerial, and historical data). Whale Seeker sells directly to large institutional clients, resells through environmental consulting partners such as Edgewise Environmental, and uses industry associations (Marine Renewables Canada, MMOA, RWSC) as channels into offshore wind, fishing, and conservation segments. The company operates as a B Corporation with a remote-first model and was founded by Emily Charry Tissier (CEO), Antoine Gagné-Turcotte (CTO), and Bertrand Charry (Lead Biologist).
Whale Seeker firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Whale Seeker
- Legal name
- Whale Seeker, Inc.
- Website
- https://whaleseeker.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Whale Seeker is a Montreal-based AI company that builds computer vision tools for detecting marine mammals and birds from aerial, drone, satellite, and infrared imagery, serving government agencies, offshore energy, shipping, fishing, and conservation organizations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Whale Seeker industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine Wildlife Detection Software
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Drone/UAV Data Capture & Processing Software (AFAAAFAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Marine & Underwater Robotics (USVs/UUVs) (HDAAAIAH)
Keywords
Where Whale Seeker is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Montréal
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Whale Seeker business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- AI Detection Software Subscriptions: SaaS-based AI detection tools (Möbius, Möbius Observer, Cetus) provided to energy, shipping, government and non-profit organizations. End-to-end solutions including software, training and support.
- Professional Services: Training and support through partner network, data collection and analysis services, custom implementation for enterprise clients.
- Project-based Detection Services: Analysis of satellite imagery, aerial drone footage, and historical data for specific conservation or regulatory compliance projects.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Enterprise and Government Custom Solutions |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Whale Seeker product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Whale Seeker develops AI-powered computer vision software that detects, classifies, and monitors marine mammals and birds from aerial (drone/aircraft), satellite, and infrared imagery. Its product suite — Möbius (aerial analysis), Möbius Observer (real-time drone detection), Cetus (satellite detection), and Arc (forward-facing infrared, under development) — combines proprietary deep learning models with human-in-the-loop biologist validation to deliver near-real-time monitoring for energy, shipping, government, and conservation clients.
Product overview
Whale Seeker offers a portfolio of AI-powered marine mammal and bird detection tools spanning aerial, satellite, and forward-facing camera platforms. The core offerings include Möbius (aerial imagery analysis combining human and machine judgments), Möbius Observer (real-time drone-based detection with immediate alerts), and Cetus (satellite-powered detection across vast ocean areas). Arc, under development, will add nighttime detection via infrared forward-facing cameras. All products leverage proprietary computer vision AI models validated by expert biologists, enabling monitoring anywhere, anytime, for any species of interest. The tools serve energy, shipping, government, and non-profit organizations requiring efficient, accurate marine mammal detection for mitigation and conservation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Möbius: AI-powered aerial imagery detection tool for marine mammals, coastlines, ice, snow and more, combining human and machine judgements to enhance efficiency while maintaining reliability.
- Möbius Observer
- Cetus
- Arc
Products and services
- Möbius Aerial imagery analysis platform that detects marine mammals, coastlines, ice, snow, and other environmental features by combining human expert judgment with proprietary machine learning. Used by energy, shipping, government, and non-profit organizations for marine mammal monitoring, permit compliance, and conservation studies.
- Möbius Observer Real-time detection system that provides immediate alerts for marine mammal observers and stakeholders using drones, enabling on-the-spot mitigation during offshore operations and fieldwork.
- Cetus Satellite-powered system that detects and classifies marine mammals from space across vast and remote ocean areas, supporting migration corridor analysis and climate adaptation research.
- Arc Infrared forward-facing technology for real-time marine mammal detection during nighttime and across wider environmental conditions, designed to integrate with standard cameras mounted on ships and on land. Currently under development.
Quantifiable outcome
- 97% faster detection compared to full manual detection
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Whale Seeker
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Whale Seeker technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
AI capability6 records
Feature5 records
Whale Seeker partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and partner.
- Transport CanadacoreSince 2021, Transport Canada has supported Whale Seeker as the primary detection method for North Atlantic right whales using remotely piloted aircraft, camera sensors, and AI. Collaboration continued into 2024 with MDA Ltd. and Overwatch Imaging.
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)coreCollaborative projects including AI for narwhal and beluga monitoring in Northern Hudson Bay, and Cumberland Sound beluga whale abundance studies using satellite imagery.
- Edgewise EnvironmentalcoreNewfoundland-based marine environmental consultancy providing Whale Seeker technology to fishing and marine industry clients. Primary partner for CNFASAR-funded Southern Newfoundland project.
- OceanitesmajorNon-profit organization collaborating with Whale Seeker on penguin population monitoring in Antarctica, combining traditional conservation with AI technology.
- WWF (World Wildlife Fund)majorWorking with WWF to understand bowhead whale migration timing for conservation planning purposes.
- UpLink (World Economic Forum)majorOpen innovation platform of the World Economic Forum that surfaced Whale Seeker as a winner of the Great Blue Wall Challenge, providing visibility and ecosystem connections.
- Canada's Ocean SuperclustercoreNational ocean industry cluster bringing together startups, scaleups, and organizations across fishery, aquaculture, offshore resources, and marine technology sectors. Supports Whale Seeker with commercialization access and network connections.
- MarblepartnerMarble builds cutting-edge hardware and software to protect maritime environments. Partner company developing marine protection technology.
- SinaypartnerSinay offers data-driven solutions for maritime freight and offshore industries, enabling efficient optimization of operations. Potential integration partner for marine monitoring.
- WAVS TaskforcepartnerWAVS Taskforce mission is to identify, develop, and implement technology and monitoring tools in the marine industry to mitigate vessel strike risk to marine mammals, with special attention to North Atlantic Right Whales.
- Spoor AIpartnerSpoor AI provides advanced software using computer vision and AI to detect, track, and classify birds in wind farms. Potential integration partner for wildlife detection.
- MDA Ltd.partnerSpace technology company. Collaborating with Whale Seeker and Transport Canada on satellite-based marine mammal detection capabilities.
- Overwatch ImagingpartnerTechnology partner in continued collaboration with Whale Seeker and Transport Canada for marine conservation efforts.
- Marine Renewables CanadapartnerNational association for tidal, offshore wind, wave and river current energy. Represents technology developers, suppliers, utilities, and researchers - potential channel for Whale Seeker solutions.
- RWSC (Regional Wildlife Science Collaborative for Offshore Wind)partnerCoordination hub for offshore wind research to increase collaboration, limit redundancy, suggest common data standards, and increase data sharing. Relevant for marine wildlife monitoring in wind farm contexts.
- Marine Mammal Observer Association (MMOA)partnerMembership-based association representing Marine Mammal Observers and PAM Operators. Potential channel partner for distributing Whale Seeker tools to MMO professionals.
- Blue Green FuturepartnerWorks with conservation groups, academic institutions, foundations, enterprises, and governments to build markets and provide policy advice around nature protection and regeneration.
- Marine Mammals Community of PracticepartnerNetwork of MPA managers, practitioners and stakeholders working with marine mammals and MPAs. Promotes collaboration and knowledge exchange for improved marine mammal management.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Whale Seeker competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Sinay: Sinay provides data-driven solutions for maritime freight and offshore industries, including vessel tracking and operational optimisation. It is an adjacent emerging player serving the same maritime operators Whale Seeker targets and is a listed integration partner.
- Marble: Marble builds hardware and software to monitor and protect maritime environments. It is an emerging peer in the maritime wildlife-protection space with overlapping customers (shipping, regulators) and a complementary technology partnership with Whale Seeker.
- Overwatch Imaging: Overwatch Imaging designs airborne sensor systems and automated image processing for wide-area surveillance and wildlife detection. It is an emerging peer and confirmed technology partner in Transport Canada's right whale detection workflow alongside Whale Seeker.
Broad incumbents
- Planet Labs: Planet Labs operates a large constellation of Earth observation satellites providing daily imagery and analytics. It is a broad incumbent whose satellite imagery and detection analytics could compete with or enable Whale Seeker's Cetus satellite product at planetary scale.
- MDA Ltd. MDA Ltd. is a Canadian space technology company operating commercial Earth observation satellites and geospatial analytics. It is a broad incumbent partner collaborating with Whale Seeker on satellite-based marine mammal detection and represents the kind of EO incumbent whose data Whale Seeker depends on at scale.
Direct peers
- EarthRanger: EarthRanger (a Vulcan Inc. initiative) is a software platform that collects, integrates, and displays real-time data on wildlife, patrols, and sensor alerts for protected area management. It is comparable to Whale Seeker in serving wildlife and protected-area management agencies with technology for species monitoring and threat response.
- Conservation Metrics: Conservation Metrics develops AI and sensor-based solutions for wildlife population monitoring across aerial, acoustic, and camera-trap data. It overlaps with Whale Seeker in applying machine learning to ecological survey data for conservation and government customers.
- Wild Me: Wild Me builds the Wildbook platform, applying computer vision and AI to identify and track individual wildlife (whales, sharks, zebras) from photographs. It is a direct peer in using AI image recognition for marine mammal and wildlife population science, often partnering with conservation NGOs and government scientists.
- Spoor AI: Spoor AI applies computer vision and AI to detect, track, and classify birds and bats at wind farms. It is a direct comparable to Whale Seeker in using AI-powered vision models for wildlife detection around renewable energy infrastructure, with overlapping buyer personas (offshore wind developers, regulators).
Regional players
- Edgewise Environmental: Edgewise Environmental is a Newfoundland-based marine environmental consultancy that resells and operates Whale Seeker technology for fishing and offshore clients. It is a regional channel partner with comparable end-customer expertise but a consultancy rather than pure-software model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Whale Seeker social profiles
Digital presenceWhale Seeker compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Whale Seeker financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Whale Seeker leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Whale Seeker funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Whale Seeker M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Whale Seeker
What does Whale Seeker do?
Whale Seeker develops AI-powered computer vision software that detects, classifies, and monitors marine mammals and birds from aerial (drone/aircraft), satellite, and infrared imagery. Its product suite — Möbius (aerial analysis), Möbius Observer (real-time drone detection), Cetus (satellite detection), and Arc (forward-facing infrared, under development) — combines proprietary deep learning models with human-in-the-loop biologist validation to deliver near-real-time monitoring for energy, shipping, government, and conservation clients.
Is Whale Seeker a public or private company?
Whale Seeker is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Whale Seeker founded?
Whale Seeker was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Whale Seeker based?
Whale Seeker is headquartered in Montréal, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Whale Seeker make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. AI Detection Software Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are professional Services and project-based Detection Services.
Who are Whale Seeker's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Sinay, Marble and Overwatch Imaging. Broad incumbents are Planet Labs and MDA Ltd.. Direct peers are EarthRanger, Conservation Metrics, Wild Me and Spoor AI. Edgewise Environmental is listed as a regional player.
Does Whale Seeker have an API?
No public API is recorded for Whale Seeker.
What industry is Whale Seeker in?
Whale Seeker's product category is Marine Wildlife Detection Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAAAFAH, Drone/UAV Data Capture & Processing Software, with a secondary code of HDAAAIAH, Marine & Underwater Robotics (USVs/UUVs). Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.