In a jaw-dropping funding sprint, AndrenaM, a California-based startup founded by ex‑SpaceX engineers, raised $10 million in just 36 hours to revolutionize how we monitor the world beneath the ocean surface. The company, led by CEO Matej Cernosek and CTO Alex Chu, is building a real-time underwater surveillance network using AI-powered sonar technology—something that could change the game for naval defense, port security, and environmental monitoring.
The startup’s mission is both bold and urgent: to modernize sonar technology, which hasn’t seen fundamental changes in decades. For years, underwater surveillance has relied on bulky hydrophones and grainy acoustic readouts deciphered manually in soundproof rooms. AndrenaM wants to flip the script. By combining advanced sensors, a custom-built buoy network, and machine learning, they’re making underwater threat detection instant, smart, and scalable.
At the core of AndrenaM’s innovation is the concept of “sonar meshing”—a distributed network of AI-enabled hydrophones working together in real time. Instead of analyzing sound one node at a time, the mesh collects and processes audio data across a wide area. This enables faster and more accurate detection of submarines, underwater drones, and other potentially hostile activity. According to Cernosek, this system will allow ocean monitoring with the same fluidity and efficiency as video surveillance above water.
The idea isn’t just theoretical. AndrenaM has already deployed working prototypes off the California coast, and early results caught the attention of top investors. Their system doesn’t just detect activity—it uses AI to analyze acoustic signatures, recognize patterns, and make real-time classifications. This kind of intelligence is particularly valuable in today’s evolving security landscape, where undersea threats—from autonomous submersibles to stealthy sabotage missions—are growing in both number and complexity.
The funding round was led by First Round Capital, with participation from Also Capital, Long Journey Ventures, Homebrew, and the Colorado School of Mines Venture Fund, among others. First Round’s general partner Meka Asonye was so impressed by the pitch that he flew out to meet the team in person before committing. And it wasn’t just the tech that wowed him—it was the clarity of vision and the scrappy determination that’s already taken AndrenaM from garage builds to real-world ocean testing.
Cernosek, who comes from a mechanical engineering background and once built spacecraft components at SpaceX, brings that same precision and ambition to the world of sonar. Chu, a robotics and software expert, leads the data infrastructure and AI side. Together, they’ve built a team of eight engineers from SpaceX, Palantir, Anduril, and other high-caliber tech and defense outfits. With the new funding, they plan to double the headcount, scale production, and purchase a research boat to expand ocean deployments.
Why is this such a big deal right now? For one, global interest in underwater surveillance is growing fast. As the world’s oceans become strategic hotspots, governments and private sector players alike are looking for better ways to detect and track activity. The maritime surveillance market is projected to exceed $4 billion in value, fueled by the need for more advanced tools to monitor borders, protect ports, and ensure the security of offshore energy assets.
AndrenaM’s approach offers advantages far beyond the military. The same tech that can detect a submarine can also identify illegal fishing operations, monitor endangered species, and track marine pollution in real time. That’s what gives the startup its dual-use appeal—an increasingly valuable trait for investors seeking returns with real-world impact.
Critically, the company isn’t building its system with off-the-shelf parts. Their buoys, sensors, and software stack are all designed in-house, giving them tighter integration and better data quality. This vertically integrated approach also makes the system more cost-effective in the long run—essential for scaling to large, open-water deployments.
AndrenaM’s rise also carries a strong human story. Cernosek, whose family immigrated from the Czech Republic, embodies the grit and vision often found at the heart of great American tech companies. Starting from scratch, the team built their first prototypes in a garage. Today, they’re being trusted with millions to patrol the oceans—an extraordinary leap in less than a year.
Looking ahead, AndrenaM plans to expand its operations to key U.S. ports and maritime borders. They’re building out new features in their AI software, refining their buoy design, and exploring partnerships with defense agencies, coastal authorities, and environmental organizations. The goal is clear: to become the go-to solution for real-time underwater situational awareness.
In a world increasingly reliant on smart, responsive tech to manage security and sustainability, AndrenaM is making waves—literally. Their rapid rise from stealth mode to a multimillion-dollar funding round in just 36 hours is more than impressive; it signals that the future of ocean surveillance is not only here but accelerating fast.