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For decades, the immense, predictable power of ocean waves has been a coveted prize in the renewable energy sector. While wind and solar have become mainstream, harnessing the ocean's relentless energy has proven incredibly difficult. Fetch Energy, a UK-based climatetech startup, has emerged with a breakthrough design poised to finally make wave power not just viable, but commercially competitive.
The primary reason wave power has failed to launch commercially is twofold: survivability and cost. Previous attempts often involved large, complex, and expensive devices that could not withstand the harsh marine environment, leading to prohibitive maintenance and operational costs.
Fetch Energy's founders, CEO Laura Duggan and CTO Harry Smith have developed a new philosophy: shrink the technology to make it robust, scalable, cost-effective, and adaptable to new markets. The design is built around a new type of generator that Harry devised during prior work for the automotive industry that is well-suited to generating wave power.
Fetch Energy's core innovation lies in a breakthrough design for wave power generators that is smaller, simpler, and more efficient. Instead of competing with large-scale grid energy from the outset, the company is focusing on micro-generation for customers in sectors such as:
Recreational maritime
Electric and hybrid vessels
Marine operations and research
By providing clean, reliable power directly at the source, Fetch Energy is creating a new niche and demonstrating its technology's value in real-world applications without needing massive grid infrastructure.
Developing and deploying pioneering hardware in the unforgiving marine environment is a massive technical and financial challenge. This is where a venture builder like Carbon13 becomes essential. Fetch Energy was launched via Carbon13's Venture Builder program, which is designed to support deep-tech ventures that can mitigate millions of tonnes of CO₂e emissions.
This partnership provided Fetch Energy with the ecosystem needed to transform its revolutionary idea into an investable company. Through Carbon13, the founders gained access to deep scientific knowledge, critical industry networks, and strategic mentorship, validating their mission to unlock a vast new renewable resource. In May 2025, Carbon13 announced a £1.2 million investment into eight startups from its program, including Fetch Energy, underscoring the high-impact potential of their technology.
Visit the Carbon13 SEIS Fund VIII page to find out more about current investment opportunities
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