2024-04-09
Outsail
outsail.comHeadquarters
Redwood City, California
Employee Count
4
Year Founded
2022
Amount raised
$1.1 million Pre-Seed
Business model
B2B2C- Broker the yacht deal, sell the wing
Early traction
$32M in LOIs from major yachtbuilders and leading customers in commercial shipping, plus two versions of our deployable wingsail tested on the water
Investors
Y Combinator, Climate Capital, Collab Fund, Venture Hacks Fund , Sandhill Investments, Hephaestus Ventures, Balaji Srinivasan, Alan Rutledge.
The maritime sector, traditionally reliant on fossil fuels, is facing a significant challenge in reducing its carbon footprint.
However, switching to carbon-neutral fuel creates a few problems:
For long passages batteries are too bulky and expensive.
Alternative fueling creates a chicken-and-egg infrastructure problem.
Competing sail technologies are too large to fit on most ships.
This week’s company leverages wind energy to provide a cost-efficient and sustainable solution in the shipping industry.
Outsail manufactures a retractable, autonomous windsail, advancing the decarbonization of the shipping sector.
Retractable: The wing sail's retractable design enables compact storage, enhancing maneuverability and aerodynamics for ships of all sizes.
Autonomous: The wingsail requires no management from captain or crew and can be engaged with a single button press.
Bulleted Version
Market Opportunity: Positioned at the intersection of shipping, leisure, defense, and military sectors, Outsail taps into a large market eager for decarbonization solutions.
Sustainability: Outsail's innovations align perfectly with global regulatory shifts towards decarbonization, positioning the company as a pivotal player in helping the maritime industry meet stringent environmental standards.
Additionally, in adverse conditions, vessels equipped with Outsail’s wings harness solar energy to charge their batteries, ensuring motor operation if needed.
Proprietary Technology Advantage: Outsail's retractable and autonomous wingsail technology, capable of fitting any vessel, sets a new industry standard for efficiency and adaptability, distinctively placing it ahead of competing sail technologies that are limited by size and scope.
Technological Integration: Integrating Outsail's advanced wingsail technology with existing maritime vessels and infrastructure requires overcoming significant technical and logistical barriers.
Market Adoption: The success of Outsail hinges on its ability to convince an industry traditionally resistant to change to adopt its innovative wingsail technology, a task that may prove challenging despite the clear environmental and economic benefits.
Long Sales Cycles: The inherently long sales cycles of the maritime industry, driven by high capital expenditures and lengthy decision-making processes, could slow Outsail's growth and extend the time to profitability.
Bound4Blue: Backed by EIT Climate, GTT Strategic Ventures, and the European Innovation Council
Norsepower: Backed by Valve Ventures, VNT Management, Business Finland, and the European Innovation Council
Ayro: Backed by Ocean Zero, GO Capital, and BPI France
BAR Technologies: Acquired.
WhyOutsail
Outsail has the potential to change the winds of its industry by pioneering the future of sustainable ships and differentiating from competitors with wind sails that can fit on any vessel.
*Nothing in this content constitutes investment or legal advice. Conduct independent diligence and consult professional advisers before making investment decisions.*
Explore
other features
SF
2026-02-10
Sotira
Sotira helps brands monetize surplus inventory by automating resale, compliance, and logistics through an AI‑powered marketplace of verified buyers.
Business model
Subscription fee + take rate on transactions
Oakville, Ontario, Canada
2026-01-27
BuildingAssets
BuildingAssets.ai is a platform that deploys AI agents into a building’s tech stack to surface hidden savings and take action to capture them.
Business model
Annual recurring revenue (per building) + referral fees from trusted service partners
Nashville, TN
2026-01-13
Watt Data
Watt Data is an AI data platform that helps companies find high-intent customers by connecting real-world behaviors into insights that tell you who to target and why now.
Business model
SaaS plus consumption-based pricing