Porto-based cleantech startup Seamoretech, which turns desalination brine into freshwater and critical raw materials, has raised €1.1 million in the first closing of its seed round.
According to a press statement, the financing included participation from Rypples, Seven Seas Capital, and Crédito Agrícola. This closing brings Seamoretech’s total funding to €3 million, following previous investments backed by Faber, its lead investor, and CORBITES.
Founded in 2021 as a spin-off of the University of Porto’s Faculty of Engineering (FEUP), Seamoretech is led by co-founders Sofia Delgado (CEO) and Eva Sousa (CTO).
The company develops containerized, plug-and-play technology that uses forward osmosis to recover purified freshwater and minerals from brine, the highly concentrated waste stream left behind by desalination.
Seamoretech says its technology can recover minerals including magnesium, calcium, copper, and lithium. The technology operates on a Zero Liquid Discharge basis, which aims to eliminate liquid waste discharge.
The company works with partners across desalination, chemicals, mining, oil and gas, and other water-intensive industries.
Industrialization and commercial expansion
The new capital will be used to accelerate the industrialization of Seamoretech’s technology and prepare its commercial expansion, including a planned market launch in Spain in 2027, following a demonstration collaboration in the country.
The startup is also building a pipeline of pilot opportunities across several markets, including Spain and Egypt.
Delgado said the company aims to scale its technology, accelerate market entry, and “produce freshwater at a lower cost.”
She also outlined ambitions to establish a European reference in critical raw materials recovery while helping protect marine ecosystems.
Seamoretech plans to open a second closing of its seed round in the coming months.
Featured image: The Seamoretech team (Photo courtesy of Seamoretech)
