Splash Inc.

What do they actually do

Splash builds small, unmanned surface vessels (patrol boats) and an onboard/fleet operating system (Hawk OS) to run autonomous maritime security missions. They have working prototypes and have run multi‑mile autonomous demos in San Francisco Bay, with public materials citing “over a hundred miles” to “~200 miles” of autonomous operation to date (YC launch, TechCrunch, company site).

Their boats are modular and can carry mission payloads such as sonars, UAV deployers and inspection sensors. Operators plan missions and manage fleets through Hawk OS; the company says its autonomy can operate in communication‑denied environments (company site).

Today, Splash is early stage with prototypes on the water and no public, named customers. They’re targeting national security (Coast Guard, Navy) and critical‑infrastructure users (ports, oil & gas) and are actively seeking introductions and trials while building out the team (YC launch, company site, YC company page).

Who are their target customer(s)

• Coast Guard / maritime border security agencies: They need persistent, wide‑area patrols but face crew shortages, high operating costs, and risk to personnel on dangerous or remote missions. Automating routine patrols could extend coverage without sending crews each time (company site, YC launch).
• Navy littoral and base‑security units: They must deter and respond to small, close‑in threats without tying up crewed vessels or exposing sailors. A low‑cost, rapidly deployable unmanned patrol asset would add capacity for harbor and near‑shore defense (company site).
• Port and harbor operators / terminal security: They need continuous detection and investigation of small‑boat intrusions but can’t staff 24/7 manned patrols affordably. Autonomous patrol patterns with modular sensors can increase coverage and automate alerting (company site).
• Oil & gas / offshore facility security teams: Offshore platforms and terminals are remote and costly to inspect with crews. Unmanned vessels carrying inspection sensors can reduce risky, expensive sorties and provide routine perimeter sweeps (company site).
• Defense procurement officers / program managers: They need proven, manufacturable systems that integrate with existing command networks and pass procurement scrutiny. Splash is positioning a combined boat + fleet OS, but formal certifications and programs of record are likely next steps (YC launch, company site).

How would they acquire their first 10, 50, and 100 customers

• First 10: Host invitation‑only on‑water demos for Coast Guard, port security and base‑security leads, then convert interest into 30–60 day paid pilots with clear success metrics; offer one discounted local pilot in exchange for a publishable evaluation. Use YC/founder intros to defense PMs and run joint demos with sensor vendors to build credibility.
• First 50: Productize a standardized “pilot pack,” build 2–3 independent test reports, and hire a sales lead with Coast Guard/Navy procurement experience to drive priority accounts. Get onto relevant vendor lists, convert pilots into Hawk OS subscriptions, and partner with a prime integrator to access larger bids while standing up a regional service hub for early customers.
• First 100: Formalize channel partnerships and placement on national procurement schedules, scale manufacturing via a contract manufacturer, and pass required certifications. Launch accredited training, regional spares/field support and fleet financing, while running large joint exercises with a navy/Coast Guard and offering managed fleet operations for customers without local ops.

What is the rough total addressable market

Top-down context:

Core TAM is the unmanned/autonomous surface vessel (USV) market—around ~$1.1B in 2025 with ~14% CAGR to ~$2.2B by 2030 (Mordor Intelligence; see also MarketsandMarkets, Grand View Research). The broader maritime security market (~$23.5B in 2025) is the demand pool but not additive to USV TAM (Safety4Sea/PMR).

Bottom-up calculation:

At ~$400k–$1M per boat (tactical USV range) plus ~$25k–$75k/yr per‑boat software, 100 buyers deploying 3–5 boats each implies roughly ~$120M–$500M hardware and ~$7.5M–$37.5M ARR; scaled to 500 buyers, that’s ~$600M–$2.5B hardware and ~$37.5M–$187.5M ARR (industry pricing examples, Forecast International).

Assumptions:

• Average USV hardware ASP ~$400k–$1M and Hawk‑OS‑like software ~$25k–$75k per boat per year (based on industry reporting).
• Early adopter count of ~100–500 buyers (ports, bases, offshore sites) in near‑to‑mid term as autonomy moves from trials to ops.
• Typical site deployments of 3–5 boats to maintain persistent patrol coverage across shifts and weather windows.

Who are some of their notable competitors

• Sea Machines: Sells autonomy kits and purpose‑built small USVs used by commercial operators; has supported U.S. Coast Guard USV demonstrations. Competes on ready‑to‑install autonomy, vision sensing, and patrol/workboat platforms (site, USCG demo).
• L3Harris / ASV Global: Defense prime with proven ASV platforms (C‑Worker family) and a mature autonomy/control stack used in defense and survey programs; strong on scale, lifecycle support, and existing integrations (site).
• Textron Systems: Makes the Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle (CUSV) and new ‘Tsunami’ USV family for Navy and littoral missions; competes via rugged, Navy‑focused platforms and established payload integrations (CUSV, Tsunami news).
• OceanAlpha: High‑volume Chinese USV maker supplying patrol and inspection USVs to ports, oil & gas and maritime security; competes on lower unit cost, broad catalog, and commercial deployments (site, maritime security solution).
• MARTAC (Maritime Tactical Systems): U.S. supplier of fast, missionized patrol USVs (MANTAS/Devil Ray) for naval/harbor defense and force protection; competes on speed and payload flexibility (site).