Nansha deep-sea robotics firm secures record strategic funding

DeepSea Intelligence (Guangzhou) Technology, a Nansha-based deep-sea robotics company, recently closed a Series A round of more than 500 million yuan ($69.44 million), setting a record for the sector. The capital is expected to accelerate its DeepMatrix seabed resident unmanned robotic fleet program.

Singularity Deep-sea Work Class ROV with an operating depth of 6,000 meters. [Photo/WeChat account: nanshafabu]

The financing brought together state strategic investors, industrial capital and market-oriented venture capital. China Insurance Investment and CETC Investment, a wholly owned subsidiary of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation, participated. TotalEnergies joined through an energy technology fund managed by Cathay Capital. Leading venture capital firms including Fortune Capital, GGV Capital, Addor Capital and Photosynthesis Capital also invested, reflecting strong confidence in China's deep-sea technology.

In 2025, the company won an order worth close to $10 million from a UAE telecom group after beating competitors from the UK, the Netherlands and Norway. Delivery of its Phoenix 600 deep-sea robot marked the first commercial export of a Chinese deep-sea robot, breaking a long-standing Western monopoly.

Nansha has provided customized support, including a tailored maritime industrial park being built by Guangzhou Nansha Science, Finance and Investment Holding Group. The first phase is expected to be delivered next year.

The company plans to deploy the system to reduce reliance on support vessels and manual operations.