

90% of global trade moves by ship — yet maritime remains one of the hardest sectors to modernize. Legacy vessels, opaque operations, extreme environments, and fragmented infrastructure have slowed both decarbonization and digitization.
That’s changing. A new generation of founders is rebuilding the maritime stack from the battery module to the hull to the autonomous control system — accelerating the shift toward cleaner, more intelligent ocean infrastructure.
Join Obvious Ventures and Propeller Ventures during SF Climate Week for a conversation with leaders transforming how we power, move, and operate at sea.
Featured Speakers:
Nelson Mills, CEO, Vatn Systems | Developing autonomous underwater vehicles for defense, sensing, and maritime operationsSampriti Bhattacharyya, Founder & CEO, Navier | Building general marine vessel platforms that enable scalable maritime solutions for commercial and defense useSteven Henderson, Co-Founder & CEO, Fleetzero | Building modular battery systems to electrify long-haul cargo shipping
Moderated by: Caitlin Hardy, Founder and Managing Director, Ness Sea Consulting.
The Run:
4:00 PM | Arrival & Check-in4:30 PM | Panel Discussion 5:00 PM | Happy Hour & Networking
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This event is part of a 3-part series hosted by Obvious Ventures during SF Climate Week 2026, exploring how autonomy and electrification converge to bring us an abundant, cleaner future:
April 20: Autonomy in FlightApril 22: Autonomy on WheelsApril 23: Autonomy at Sea
Space is limited so please only RSVP if you intend to join. Priority will be given to founders, operators, and investors in the climate and autonomy space.
By registering for this event, you agree to share your registration information with the organizers of SF Climate Week.
Special thank you to Orrick for sponsoring the event series.
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Autonomy at Sea: Panel & Happy Hour at SFCW is a free independent taking place on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at San Francisco. This independent is organised by Obvious Ventures. Attendance is free — register to secure your spot. The event runs for approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Join this independent over 2 hours and 30 minutes for an engaging session of learning, discussion, and networking with fellow attendees.
This independent in San Francisco is ideal for:
This evening independent is part of the growing events scene in San Francisco. Whether you're based in San Francisco or visiting for the independent, it's a great opportunity to connect with the local community. Browse more upcoming events in San Francisco on Rifio.
Autonomy at Sea: Panel & Happy Hour at SFCW covers topics including AI, Climate, Tech, SF Climate Week 2026. Find similar events by browsing these topics on Rifio.