Cosma Secures €2.5 Million Funding to Advance Deep-Sea Ecosystem Mapping Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

Cosma, a DeepTech company based in Nice specializing in autonomous vehicle mapping of deep-sea ecosystems, has announced a €2.5 million funding round aimed at industrializing its drone fleet. This initiative directly supports several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

Funding and Support

1. The funding round was led by WIND and Ternel.
2. Additional investors include 50 Partners, Caisse d’Épargne Côte d’Azur, and IFREMER, the scientific institution that originally launched the project.
3. Significant non-dilutive public funding, including France 2030, may potentially double the total amount secured.

Company Vision and Technology

Founded in 2022, Cosma is committed to the preservation of ocean biodiversity by industrializing the inventory and monitoring of benthic ecosystems. Their technology aligns with SDG 14 by promoting sustainable use of marine resources through innovative data collection and analysis methods.

• Deployment of autonomous underwater robots capturing up to 100,000 images per hectare of seabed.
• Use of 3D photogrammetry systems and AI algorithms to recognize habitats and species.
• Cloud-native processing platform and AI toolbox generating photographic seabed models and locating protected species.

Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

Cosma’s work contributes significantly to multiple SDGs:

• SDG 14 (Life Below Water): Enhances knowledge and protection of marine biodiversity by providing high-resolution data on benthic ecosystems.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): Advances innovative technologies for environmental monitoring and sustainable maritime infrastructure.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): Supports understanding of seagrass meadows’ role in coastal erosion, aiding climate resilience efforts.

Scientific and Industrial Relevance

According to Romain Charraudeau, Director of Technology Transfer at IFREMER, only 25% of the ocean floor has been mapped with high precision, and less than 1% of marine species are known. Cosma’s technology opens new perspectives for better observation, understanding, and protection of oceans, aligning with SDG 14 targets.

The data generated is instrumental for:

• Conducting scientific research.
• Avoiding sensitive species during offshore construction.
• Ensuring the integrity of critical underwater infrastructure.
• Understanding coastal erosion dynamics.

Stakeholder Engagement and Clientele

• Early clients include RWE (renewable energy leader), EGIS (engineering firm), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and the French Navy (Marine Nationale).
• Investors emphasize Cosma’s potential to become the “Google Maps” of the seafloor, protecting marine ecosystems and infrastructure.

Future Plans and Utilization of Funds

The new funding will enable Cosma to:

• Industrialize its drone fleet for deep-sea operations.
• Enhance its software platform and AI-powered analysis tools for processing large-scale datasets.
• Expand operational capacity to serve public and private clients across Europe.

Conclusion

Cosma’s innovative approach to mapping and monitoring deep-sea ecosystems exemplifies a transformative project that supports sustainable ocean management and biodiversity preservation. The company’s efforts are closely aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 14, contributing to global objectives for life below water and sustainable industrial innovation.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water – The article focuses on mapping deep-sea ecosystems, preserving ocean biodiversity, and protecting marine species, which directly relates to the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas, and marine resources.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – The development and industrialisation of autonomous underwater drones and AI-powered analysis tools reflect innovation and infrastructure development.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action – By better understanding seagrass meadows’ role in coastal erosion and protecting marine ecosystems, the project indirectly supports climate resilience and mitigation efforts.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The collaboration between private investors, public funding (France 2030), scientific institutions (IFREMER), and various stakeholders illustrates partnerships to achieve sustainable development goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 14 Targets:
   • Target 14.2: Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts.
   • Target 14.3: Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation.
   • Target 14.5: Conserve at least 10% of coastal and marine areas.
2. SDG 9 Targets:
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade technological capabilities of industrial sectors, including encouraging innovation.
3. SDG 13 Targets:
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
4. SDG 17 Targets:
   • Target 17.16: Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators related to SDG 14:
   • Percentage of ocean floor mapped with high precision (currently 25%) – relevant to monitoring marine ecosystem knowledge and conservation.
   • Number or percentage of marine species identified and monitored (less than 1% known currently).
   • Area of marine protected zones identified and monitored using autonomous underwater vehicles.
2. Indicators related to SDG 9:
   • Number of autonomous underwater drones deployed and operational in industrial applications.
   • Volume and scale of data processed using AI and cloud-native platforms for marine ecosystem monitoring.
3. Indicators related to SDG 13:
   • Extent of coastal areas protected or restored through better understanding of seagrass meadows and erosion control.
4. Indicators related to SDG 17:
   • Number and diversity of partnerships between private sector, public institutions, and scientific organizations supporting marine conservation.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: eu-startups.com