Zeabuz AS has secured a NOK 40 million funding round, led by Grieg Kapital AS, with participation from Eitzen AS and Barclay Holding AS, alongside existing shareholders.

The funding represents the company’s largest capital raise to date and comes as 2026 is already shaping up to be the strongest year in Zeabuz’s history, with multiple new contracts secured across both civilian and defense & security applications. As part of the transaction, Eirik Barclay, owner of Barclay Holdings AS, will join Zeabuz as Executive Chair.

The new capital will be used to expand the organization, strengthen delivery capacity, and support a growing number of deployments across international markets.

“This investment comes at a defining moment for Zeabuz,” said Øyvind Smogeli, CEO & Co-Founder of Zeabuz. “We are seeing a clear shift from pilot projects to full-scale deployment across both commercial and defense applications. This funding enables us to scale in line with growing demand from partners who are now ready to move into operational use of autonomous systems.”

Grieg Kapital AS, as lead investor, brings strong maritime and industrial expertise and will play an active role in supporting Zeabuz’s continued growth.

“We are proud to lead this round alongside Eitzen and a strong group of co-investors, and we look forward to supporting Zeabuz as they scale. The company has demonstrated an impressive ability to move from technology development to real-world deployment,” said Magnus Sørensen Ullereng of Grieg Kapital, adding that:

“We see strong potential in the company’s dual-use strategy and its position in a rapidly developing market for autonomous maritime solutions. As lead investor in this round, we have had the privilege of getting to know Zeabuz up close – their technology, their team, and their commercial ambitions. What we found is a company that is genuinely ahead of the curve in maritime autonomy, operating in two markets that are both growing fast.”

Fridtjof Eitzen, of Eitzen AS, commented: “At Eitzen, we have made a clear strategic commitment to electrification and autonomous vessel operations — two technologies we believe will drive a step-change in how ships are designed and operated. Zeabuz is among the few companies at the forefront of this development, and this investment reflects our strong conviction in their ability to lead the transition. We are pleased to support their continued growth and global ambitions.”

Eirik Barclay, incoming Executive Chair, added: “Zeabuz is entering a pivotal phase where proven technology meets accelerating market demand. What stands out is the company’s ability to translate autonomy into scalable, real-world operations. This capital raise strengthens the foundation for disciplined growth. I look forward to working closely with the team and Board to scale the company internationally, strengthen governance, and support the next phase of commercial expansion.”

Looking ahead, Zeabuz will continue to build on its dual-use strategy, working closely with partners across industries to accelerate adoption and unlock new operational models for autonomous maritime systems. As regulatory frameworks evolve and market confidence strengthens, the company is well positioned to play a central role in shaping the future of maritime operations.

The round reflects strong conviction from both new and existing investors, reinforcing confidence in Zeabuz’s commercial momentum, scalable technology platform, and global ambitions.

 

About Zeabuz AS
Zeabuz is a Norwegian technology company developing autonomous maritime solutions for civilian and defense applications. The company enables scalable, safe, and cost-efficient operations through advanced autonomy systems designed for real-world deployment.