Croatian start-up SeaCras making big waves in sea protection
- by croatiaweek
- in Business
As climate change and pollution put increasing pressure on the world’s oceans and seas, a Croatian start-up is showing how science and technology can work together to protect the marine environment.
SeaCras, founded in 2020 by Croatian physicist Mario Špadina, has grown from an academic idea into one of the region’s leading providers of ocean data.
Using a combination of satellite imagery and artificial intelligence (AI), the company helps detect oil spills, monitor human activity, and track environmental risks in the sea.
Špadina’s journey began in academia, with a Ph.D. from the French Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission and the University of Montpellier, followed by postdoctoral work at the Ruđer Bošković Institute and the University of Ljubljana.
He authored over a dozen scientific papers before turning his attention to entrepreneurship.
Motivated to put science into action, he launched SeaCras with just €50,000 in early funding and support from the EU’s BlueInvest initiative, EU Ocean & Fisheries said.
In only a few years, the start-up has become the third-largest ocean data provider in its region.
Traditional marine monitoring often misses critical issues such as fuel leaks, illegal fishing, or damage to protected areas. SeaCras’ technology provides a clearer picture by combining open data from the Copernicus programme with commercial high-resolution satellite sources.
Mario Špadina (Photo: SeaCras/LinkedIn)
Its AI-powered platform is already proving its worth. In April 2025, for example, the system identified an oil spill near Hvar port, enabling authorities to respond rapidly.
The technology is being applied across multiple industries, including shipping, tourism, aquaculture, and energy, while also supporting public bodies responsible for marine protection.
Špadina himself has been recognised internationally, earning a place among the ‘Emerging Leaders under 40’ at the European Forum Alpbach and among the ‘Top Executives and Innovators’ at the World Economic Forum in 2024.
He also contributes to national and EU policy discussions on maritime transport and coastal tourism.
SeaCras has been closely linked with the BlueInvest platform, which supports innovative companies in the blue economy.
After being highlighted at the BlueInvest Awards 2022, the team benefited from specialised coaching that helped refine both investment strategies and client engagement.
SeaCras now employs a team of 15 and is preparing for its next growth phase. The company is in the process of securing funding through the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development in collaboration with the European Investment Bank (EIB).
