BlueNav
BlueNav is a French manufacturer of hybrid electric outboard and inboard boat motors (8–15 kW) paired with proprietary Smart Navigation software including a patented Virtual Anchor. The Arcachon-based company serves recreational boaters and professional marine operators across 10 countries via European distributors and direct sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersArcachon, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What BlueNav does
BlueNav is a French manufacturer of hybrid electric propulsion systems for marine vessels, headquartered in La Teste-de-Buch in the Arcachon region. Founded in 2019 and operationally active since at least October 2022, the company designs and assembles the BlueSpin motor lineup, comprising 8 kW, 11 kW, and 15 kW outboard variants and a 15 kW inboard configuration, alongside an integrated Smart Navigation software platform. Its products serve two primary customer segments: recreational boaters ("Plaisance") and professional marine operators ("Professionnels") such as whale-watching, professional fishing, passenger transport, diving, and scientific research vessels. BlueNav monetizes primarily through one-time hardware sales of motor units bundled with Smart Navigation, with listed prices ranging from approximately €13,950 to €42,600 ex. VAT and excluding installation, batteries, and shipping.
BlueNav's technology stack rests on two registered patents — the proprietary 11 kW Pod Motor (zero-cavitation architecture) and the Ancre Virtuelle (Virtual Anchor) automatic position-holding system — supplemented by Whale Design biomimicry propeller blades claimed to deliver +30% forward and +107% reverse thrust versus conventional designs. The Smart Navigation suite bundles positioning (Virtual Anchor, DPS, Drift Lock), docking (360° Docking, Lateral Docking), and autopilot functions (Heading Hold, Route Maintenance, Waypoint Tracking, Speed Regulator), controlled via the BlueNav smartphone app with NMEA 2000 compatibility for integration with existing onboard electronics. Approximately 98% of components are sourced in Europe and manufacturing is localized in France; the company reports 80+ motors deployed across 10 countries.
BlueNav distributes through a European reseller network with active dealer onboarding, direct enterprise sales targeting shipyards and professional operators, and OEM partnerships with boat manufacturers for factory installations. Its commercial narrative emphasizes silent operation, zero local emissions, a 30% fuel consumption reduction, and a roughly 10-month ROI for high-utilization professional operators, supported by documented outcomes such as €40K in annual operating savings and 38 tons of CO2 avoided per professional operator. The company raised €1.3 million in seed funding in October 2022 from Ardev, Blue Oceans Partners (lead), and DeepIE Ventures Management Co.
BlueNav firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BlueNav
- Legal name
- BlueNav
- Website
- https://bluenav.fr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- BlueNav is a French manufacturer of hybrid electric outboard and inboard boat motors (8–15 kW) paired with proprietary Smart Navigation software including a patented Virtual Anchor. The Arcachon-based company serves recreational boaters and professional marine operators across 10 countries via European distributors and direct sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
BlueNav industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine Electric Propulsion
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)
- SIC
- Engines & Turbines (3510), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Electric & Hybrid Leisure Craft Manufacturing (IMAJAEAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Integrated Marine Electrical Systems & Switchboards (IMAJAJAA)
Keywords
Where BlueNav is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Arcachon
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
BlueNav business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Electric Motor Sales: Sale of BlueSpin electric outboard and inboard motors (8kW, 11kW, 15kW) with integrated Smart Navigation system. Pricing varies by power level and configuration (single vs twin).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | BlueSpin Outboard 8 kW - Entry-level configuration for boats up to 4 tons |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | BlueSpin Outboard 11 kW - Mid-power configuration for boats up to 12 tons |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | BlueSpin Outboard 15 kW - High-power twin configuration for boats up to 18 tons |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | BlueSpin Inboard 15 kW - Inboard configuration for integrated installations |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
BlueNav product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BlueNav designs, manufactures and sells hybrid and electric outboard and inboard motors under the BlueSpin brand (8 kW, 11 kW, 15 kW) for boats up to 18 tons and 7–22 m in length. Each motor is paired with the proprietary Smart Navigation software platform, which provides automated positioning (Virtual Anchor, DPS, Drift Lock), docking (360° Docking, Lateral Docking) and autopilot features, controllable via the BlueNav smartphone app and NMEA 2000-compatible onboard electronics. The motors are sold primarily through a European dealer/distributor network and direct enterprise sales to shipyards, professional marine operators, and boat owners.
Product overview
BlueNav offers a unified hybrid electric propulsion platform for boats, centered on the BlueSpin motor lineup (Outboard 8 kW, 11 kW, 15 kW, and Inboard 15 kW) paired with the Smart Navigation system. The Smart Navigation software provides intelligent positioning (Virtual Anchor, DPS, Drift Lock), docking (360° Docking, Lateral Docking), and autopilot features (Heading Hold, Route Maintenance, Waypoint Tracking, Speed Regulator). The BlueNav App enables smartphone control and monitoring. All components are designed for boats from 7 to 22 meters, with 98% of components sourced in Europe and manufacturing based in Arcachon, France.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BlueSpin: Product line of electric and hybrid outboard and inboard motors for boats, available in 8 kW, 11 kW, and 15 kW configurations
Products and services
- BlueSpin Outboard 8 kW
Quantifiable outcome
- 30% fuel consumption reduction for professional operators
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use BlueNav
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
BlueNav technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability1 record
Feature5 records
BlueNav partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Distributor Network (unspecified)coreEuropean distributor network for reselling BlueNav motors and providing local support. The company actively recruits dealers and offers dedicated accompaniment for partners joining the network.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
BlueNav competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Vita Marine: UK-based electric propulsion company offering integrated electric powertrains for boats, with a focus on yacht tenders and leisure craft. Directly comparable on integrated electric drivetrains for the same vessel types BlueNav serves.
- Evoy: Norwegian developer of high-power electric inboard and outboard systems for professional and leisure boats, with integrated motor + battery + software packages. Directly comparable to BlueNav's turnkey electric drivetrain approach.
- ZeroJet: New Zealand company building electric jet propulsion systems for small boats and tenders. Comparable as a niche electric marine propulsion specialist focused on safe, battery-friendly 48V systems similar to BlueNav's architecture.
- Elco Motor Yachts: US-based manufacturer of electric inboard and outboard propulsion systems for leisure boats, with deep dealer networks in North America. Overlaps BlueNav's electric leisure propulsion offering and target customer.
- Torqeedo: German manufacturer of electric outboard and inboard motors for boats, with power outputs overlapping BlueNav's 8–15 kW range and a strong European distribution footprint. Torqeedo is the most direct electric marine propulsion competitor in BlueNav's price-performance segment.
- ePropulsion: China-based maker of electric outboard motors (e.g., Navy, Spirit, Pod series) targeting leisure and light commercial boats. Competes head-to-head with BlueNav on integrated electric propulsion for small to mid-size vessels.
- Remigo: Slovenian manufacturer of lightweight electric outboard motors for small boats and tenders. Targets the same entry-level and mid-power electric propulsion segment as BlueNav's BlueSpin 8 kW and 11 kW models.
- Aquamot: Austrian manufacturer of electric inboard and outboard motors for leisure and commercial boats across multiple power classes. Overlaps BlueNav's drivetrain focus and customer segments.
Broad incumbents
- Yamaha Marine: Global marine propulsion incumbent offering outboards, inboards, and wave runners, with prototype electric outboard programs. Operates broadly across the marine market and overlaps BlueNav's electric propulsion roadmap as a scaled competitor.
- Mercury Marine: US-based global leader in marine propulsion (outboards, inboards, sterndrives) with a growing electric portfolio (Avator series). A broad incumbent entering the same electric outboard category BlueNav competes in, with vastly greater scale and dealer reach.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
BlueNav social profiles
Digital presenceBlueNav financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BlueNav leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
BlueNav funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BlueNav 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 BlueNav
What does BlueNav do?
BlueNav designs, manufactures and sells hybrid and electric outboard and inboard motors under the BlueSpin brand (8 kW, 11 kW, 15 kW) for boats up to 18 tons and 7–22 m in length. Each motor is paired with the proprietary Smart Navigation software platform, which provides automated positioning (Virtual Anchor, DPS, Drift Lock), docking (360° Docking, Lateral Docking) and autopilot features, controllable via the BlueNav smartphone app and NMEA 2000-compatible onboard electronics. The motors are sold primarily through a European dealer/distributor network and direct enterprise sales to shipyards, professional marine operators, and boat owners.
Is BlueNav a public or private company?
BlueNav is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was BlueNav founded?
BlueNav was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is BlueNav based?
BlueNav is headquartered in Arcachon, France, in the Europe region.
How does BlueNav make money?
One revenue line is on record: electric Motor Sales.
Who are BlueNav's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Vita Marine, Evoy, ZeroJet, Elco Motor Yachts, Torqeedo, ePropulsion, Remigo and Aquamot. Broad incumbents are Yamaha Marine and Mercury Marine.
Does BlueNav have an API?
No public API is recorded for BlueNav.
What industry is BlueNav in?
BlueNav's product category is Marine Electric Propulsion. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAJAEAK, Electric & Hybrid Leisure Craft Manufacturing, with a secondary code of IMAJAJAA, Integrated Marine Electrical Systems & Switchboards. Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3510.