Graal Tech

What Graal Tech does

Graal Tech Srl is a Genoa-based company founded in 1998 as a spin-off from the University of Genova, specializing in the design, development, and production of underwater mechatronic robotic systems. The company serves defense institutions (including the Italian Navy's CSSN and the Portuguese Navy Hydrographic Institute), oil & gas majors (ENI, CGG, Seabed Geosolutions), space and defense primes (Thales Alenia Space), and oceanographic research institutions across EMEA and selected Middle East markets (KACST). Its customer base spans government, enterprise, and academic segments, with a portfolio weighted toward technical co-development projects requiring custom-configured autonomous underwater capabilities.

The company's product portfolio is built around the X-300 family of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), featuring a hybrid multi-mode navigation architecture that operates as AUV, glider, profiler, and hovering vehicle from a single platform. All systems share a reconfigurable modular architecture that allows payload, propulsion, and sensor customization without affecting navigation parameters. Core offerings include the X-300 AUV, X-300 MCM Compact for mine countermeasures, the X-300 Explorer variant for inspection, the R-300 hybrid AUV/ROV (combining three X-300 units on a triangular frame for 60 kg payload capacity and 15-thruster omnidirectional maneuverability), the MGB-300 surface gateway buoy, the UMA-1500 modular underwater manipulator (1–7+ configurable axes, 1500 msw depth), and the X-300 Simulator for training. An open control system compatible with Arduino, ARM, and x86 platforms enables customer-developed algorithms. Supporting in-house facilities include a mechanical workshop, electronic laboratories, a 50-bar pressure chamber, a 150 m³ water tank, CFD-based hydrodynamic modeling, and 6-axis underwater force sensor test rigs for Hardware-in-the-Loop validation.

Graal Tech generates revenue through three streams: (1) hardware sales of AUVs, ROVs, USVs, and manipulators to enterprise and government customers on a custom quote basis; (2) R&D partnership services with multinational corporations, EU-funded project consortia, and governmental research centers across oil & gas, defense, oceanography, and environmental monitoring; and (3) equipment rental of mechatronic systems and test facilities, plus dynamic modeling and simulation services. The company holds ISO 9001, RINA, and IQNet certifications, employs more than 20 multidisciplinary researchers and technicians, and is led by CEO Andrea Caffaz. In July 2026, Fincantieri announced the acquisition of Graal Tech as part of a €600 million four-company underwater technology package projected to contribute over €60 million of group net profit in 2026.

Name

Graal Tech

Legal name

Graal Tech Srl

Website

https://graaltech.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Graal Tech Srl is a Genoa-based underwater robotics company founded in 1998, specializing in modular autonomous underwater vehicles, manipulators, and R&D services for defense, oil & gas, and oceanographic research clients across EMEA.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Underwater Robotics Systems

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHDAAAIAH

Marine & Underwater Robotics (USVs/UUVs)

Hardware, Technology & Telecom/Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning/Robotics & Autonomous Systems

SECONDARYIMAJAOAC

Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) & Autonomous Submersible Manufacturing

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Marine & Shipbuilding/Submarine Manufacturing

SECONDARYIMABAKAJ

Maritime Unmanned Systems (USV/UUV) & Control Stations

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing/Naval Defense Systems & Military Ship Components

SECONDARYIMAJABAH

Unmanned Naval Vessels (USV/UUV)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Marine & Shipbuilding/Naval & Defense Shipbuilding

SECONDARYIMABAIAF

Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) & Autonomous Subsea Platforms

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing/Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drones) & Autonomous Platforms

Keywords

• Underwater robotics
• Autonomous underwater vehicles
• Remotely operated vehicles
• Underwater manipulators
• Marine mechatronics

Headquarters

HQ city

Genova

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Underwater Robotic Systems Sales: Sale of AUVs, ROVs, USVs, and underwater manipulators including X-300, R-300, MGB-300, UMA-1500, and X-300 Simulator. Products are sold directly to enterprise and government customers with customizable configurations.
2. Equipment Rental: Rental of mechatronic systems, autonomous vehicles, and test facilities (150 m³ water tank, 50-bar pressure chamber) on weekly or daily basis. Includes optional pilot/engineer support during rental periods.
3. Research & Development Services: R&D partnership services for multinational corporations, governmental institutions, research centers, and academies in oil & gas, defense, oceanography, and environmental monitoring. Includes EU-funded project participation and co-development agreements.
4. Dynamic Modelling & Simulation Services: Hydrodynamic modeling, virtual experiment preparation, Hardware-in-the-Loop simulation services, and CFD-based analysis for unmanned underwater vehicles, provided as professional engineering services.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Graal Tech designs, develops, and manufactures modular, reconfigurable underwater mechatronic robotic systems including autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), and modular underwater manipulators. The company also provides equipment rental, dynamic modelling and simulation services, and R&D partnership programs primarily to defense institutions, oil & gas companies, oceanographic research centers, and government agencies.

Product overview

Graal Tech is a Genoa-based underwater robotics company founded in 1998 as a University of Genoa spin-off, specializing in modular, reconfigurable mechatronic systems with over 20 years of in-house development. The product portfolio centers on the X-300 family of autonomous underwater vehicles, including the core X-300 AUV platform with hybrid navigation modes (AUV, glider, profiler), specialized variants (X-300 Explorer for inspection, X-300 MCM Compact for mine countermeasures), and composite systems (R-300 combining three X-300 units for heavy payloads). Supporting the AUV lineup are the MGB-300 surface gateway buoy for data relay between underwater and surface networks, the UMA-1500 modular underwater manipulator arm, and the X-300 Simulator for training. The company also offers equipment rental services (vehicles, sensors, test facilities including pressure chambers and water tanks) and R&D partnership programs, all built around a reconfigurable modular architecture enabling customization for diverse applications in defense, oil & gas, oceanography, and environmental monitoring.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• X-300 MCM Compact Compact autonomous underwater vehicle designed for mine countermeasures (MCM) operations, featuring 8-10 hours endurance, 300m depth rating, side scan sonar (900/1800Khz), and multiple navigation systems including USBL evologics and GPS. Versatile for scientific research, marine biology studies, underwater inspections, and search and rescue missions.
• X-300 – AUV Torpedo-shaped autonomous underwater vehicle derived from the Folaga system, featuring hybrid navigation capabilities (AUV, glider, and profiler modes), modular payload design, open control system, and advanced maneuverability without moving control surfaces. Rated for 300m depth (AUV mode) or 150m (glider mode) with 14+ hours endurance.
• X-300 Explorer – AUV Customized short-configuration X-300 variant specifically designed for underwater inspection and seabed object search operations. Equipped with 5 cameras (front, up, down, left, right for 360-degree view), frontal and side scan sonar, and fiber optic tether for real-time image transmission and manual ROV-style control when needed.
• R-300 – AUV/ROV Multi-X-300 modular vehicle combining three short X-300 units on a triangular aluminum frame for heavy payload transport. Offers 15 thrusters providing exceptional maneuverability, operates as both autonomous AUV and tethered ROV, and can host bulky equipment like the 7-axis UMA-1500 manipulator for intervention and maintenance tasks.
• MGB-300 – USV (Mobile Gateway Buoy) Autonomous surface vehicle belonging to the X-300 family, designed as a data gateway between underwater vehicles and surface control stations. Features two retractable rods (UHF radio modem for long-range surface communication and underwater acoustic modem for submerged asset connectivity), with 12 hours endurance and flexible payload modularity.
• UMA-1500 – Manipulator Modular underwater robotic manipulator featuring 6 configurable axes, brushless motors with embedded servo control at 200Hz, CAN-bus architecture for integration, and depth rating up to 1500msw. Designed for intervention, maintenance, and recovery operations in oil & gas, defense, and oceanography applications.
• X-300 Simulator Standalone desktop simulation tool that replicates the X-300 AUV behavior in a digital environment using the same software and processing units as the actual vehicle. Enables customers to experience and test X-300 capabilities before deployment, with Hardware-in-the-Loop simulation support via open control system.
• Equipment Rental Service Rental service providing Graal Tech's mechatronic systems, underwater vehicles, and test facilities (150 cubic meter water tank, 50-bar pressure chamber) for data acquisition missions, underwater experiments, and equipment validation. Includes underwater data collection and delivery, robot rental on daily/weekly basis, and test facility access.
• Dynamic Modelling & Simulation Services CFD-based hydrodynamic modeling and 3D virtual simulation services for unmanned underwater vehicles, enabling characterization of dynamic parameters, control algorithm validation, and mission testing before sea trials. Includes 6-axis underwater force sensors and flow generator capabilities.
• Research and Development Partnership Multidisciplinary R&D support services for maritime and underwater technology development, from concept through sea validation. Covers oil & gas, defense/military, oceanography, and environmental monitoring sectors with extensive EU project track record (MEPEMS, WiMUST, ROBUST, ENDURUNS, etc.).

Quantifiable outcome

• AUV equipped with micro-chemical laboratory capable of detecting metal concentrations in seawater at various depths and triggering alarms for pollution anomalies
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fincantieri (through Ingegneria dei Sistemi)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 July 2026Fincantieri, through its subsidiary Ingegneria dei Sistemi, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Graal Tech for exclusive co-development of medium and small-sized underwater unmanned vehicles (drones), including related control systems, dynamic models, simulation platforms, payloads, and dedicated monitoring, measurement, and intervention equipment. The partnership also includes establishment of a testing and pilot training center for underwater unmanned vehicles. Fincantieri announced a €600 million acquisition program including Graal Tech in July 2026.
• DIGI4ECO Consortium (HORIZON-MISS-2022-OCEAN-01-07)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Graal Tech participates in the DIGI4ECO project funded under HORIZON-MISS-2022-OCEAN-01-07, contributing underwater autonomous vehicles equipped with sensor suites to collect data for the Digital Twin Ocean.
• NERITES Project ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Graal Tech is a project partner of NERITES, a transportable framework for cost-effective remote surveying of Underwater Cultural Heritage assets using autonomous underwater remote multi-sensing platforms.
• ENIminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023ENI provided logistic assistance for Graal Tech's environmental monitoring project detecting metals in marine water near oil/gas extraction platforms in the Adriatic Sea, where Graal Tech's AUV-UpH20 performed autonomous seawater analysis.
• KACST (King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Since 2011, Graal Tech has been working on ambitious R&D programs with KACST for the development of seismic AUV fleets for ocean bottom node acquisition.
• Thales Alenia SpaceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005First R&D contract signed in 2005 with Thales Alenia Space, marking Graal Tech's entry into industrial R&D services beyond academic research centers.
• CSSN (Centro di Sostegno e Sperimentazione della Marina Italiana)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSSN (Centre for Support and Experimentation of the Italian Navy) operates Graal Tech AUVs and is continuously seeking additional assets to strengthen and innovate test and evaluation capabilities in underwater warfare. Graal Tech is engaged in multiple research initiatives in collaboration with CSSN, providing vehicles for testing and evaluation programs.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Subsea Tech: Smaller European manufacturer of mini-AUVs and underwater inspection systems with overlap in the modular, reconfigurable segment that Graal Tech pioneered.
• OceanScan - Light Underwater Mobile Agents (LUMA): Portuguese developer of small, low-cost AUVs (LAUV) for survey and environmental monitoring — comparable product class to X-300 MCM Compact, with focus on accessibility.
• WaveDroid / Wavefront Systems: European specialist in small autonomous underwater vehicles and acoustic systems. Comparable in modular philosophy and serves similar defense and survey customers in EMEA.

Direct peers

• ECA Group: French unmanned maritime systems integrator supplying AUVs (A18, ALISTAR) and ROVs for MCM, naval, and survey — directly overlapping Graal Tech's defense and survey applications.
• Saab Seaeye: Manufactures electric and hydraulic ROVs and AUV systems used in defense (mine countermeasures), oil & gas, and survey applications — a direct head-to-head competitor in the same customer segments Graal Tech addresses.
• Exail (iXblue): Provides AUVs (A9, A18) and inertial navigation for defense, hydrography, and ocean science. Comparable to Graal Tech in modular hybrid underwater platforms and has stronger European defense positioning.
• L3Harris OceanServer: Producer of Iver AUVs for defense, hydrography, and survey — directly comparable in form factor, mission profile, and customer set to Graal Tech's X-300 line.

Broad incumbents

• Kongsberg Maritime: Major supplier of AUVs (HUGIN family), subsea sensors, and naval underwater systems. Competes with Graal Tech in defense and offshore AUV markets but offers a much broader portfolio and global service network.
• Atlas Elektronik: Naval systems prime supplying unmanned underwater vehicles (SeaFox, AUV systems) and mine countermeasures. Direct competitor in defense MCM and naval AUV programs where Graal Tech also sells.
• Teledyne Marine: Diversified underwater imaging, sonar, and vehicle manufacturer (Gavia AUV, Slocum glider family). Competes across many of Graal Tech's use cases with broader sensor and platform offerings.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCwQfpfu7Mp7b5KXKRGKBnZQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/graal-tech-srl

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Graal Tech