As pollution and climate change threaten our ocean, Croatian start-up SeaCras is stepping up with smart technology to help protect marine environments. Behind this innovation is a compelling story of scientific ambition turned entrepreneurial success and backed by the EU BlueInvest initiative.
From lab to launchpad
SeaCras was founded by Mario Špadina, a physicist with impressive academic credentials, including a Ph.D. from the French Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission and the University of Montpellier. After postdoctoral research at the Ruđer Bošković Institute and the University of Ljubljana, and authoring over 13 scientific papers, Mario transitioned from academia to entrepreneurship.
Motivated to apply science to real-world problems, he founded SeaCras in 2020 to monitor marine health using satellite images and artificial intelligence (AI). What began as a research idea quickly grew into a business with global ambitions.
Turning satellite data into impact
Traditional marine monitoring methods often overlook issues like fuel spills, illegal fishing, and damage to protected marine areas. SeaCras combines high-resolution satellite data from commercial sources and open sources like the EU’s Copernicus programme. Their AI-powered platform detects pollution, emissions, and human impact on the sea, helping industries like shipping, tourism, aquaculture, and energy as well as public authorities detect and respond to environmental risks.
For example, in April 2025, SeaCras detected an oil spill near Hvar port, allowing the government to act quickly.
With just €50,000 in early funding and support from BlueInvest, Mario and his team turned their research into a successful business. SeaCras is now the third-largest ocean data provider in its region.
BlueInvest in action
SeaCras’ journey with BlueInvest began several years ago. They were featured at the BlueInvest Awards 2022 and received expert coaching through the Investment Readiness and Fundraising Assistance programmes.
“Both coaches were truly brilliant,” says CEO Mario Špadina. “They brought valuable perspectives not only on investment, but also on how to approach our core clients and to develop new marketing strategies.”
The coaching helped the team shift from an academic mindset to a business-focused strategy, improving how they connect with clients and market their services. With the support of BlueInvest, SeaCras raised €3 million to expand globally and offer their innovative services to more regions.
Recognition and leadership
Mario’s leadership has earned him recognition as one of the ‘Emerging Leaders under 40’ by the European Forum Alpbach and a spot among the ‘Top Executives and Innovators’ by the World Economic Forum in 2024. Beyond SeaCras, he regularly contributes to the national and EU strategic planning in the field of maritime transport and coastal tourism sectors.
Scaling up for the future
SeaCras recently secured new funding from the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development finance instrument in collaboration with the European Investment Bank (EIB). This will boost their research and help grow their team of 15, as they prepare to expand into new markets and make a global impact.
About BlueInvest
BlueInvest is the EU’s innovation and investment platform for the blue economy, offering business coaching, fundraising support, and networking opportunities for ocean technology companies. If you are interested in joining the BlueInvest Community and exploring its features, visit the website or reach out to lu-blueinvest
pwc [dot] lu (lu-blueinvest[at]pwc[dot]lu).
More information
Website: SeaCras
SeaCras detected an oil spill near the port of Hvar
Social media: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seacras/