Inside Italian defence tech (2026)
Jul 17
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Rome, Italy
Bergen, Norway
London, United KingdomRome, ItalyBergen, NorwayLondon, United Kingdom
Products & Solutions
W·Node
An underwater multi-sensor node with a built-in acoustic modem for shallow-water monitoring, rated to 300 metres depth with more than a year of battery life. It links to other nodes over single or multi-hop acoustic connections, carries underwater positioning, and connects to third-party water quality and structural sensors through an optional four-port expansion module.
W·Node Enhanced
A deep-water version of W·Node with higher onboard computing power for running AI tasks directly on the device. It can power auxiliary equipment such as cameras, hydrophones and multiparametric probes, and works with external acoustic or optical modems, all remotely reconfigurable over the acoustic network.
W·Mesh
WSense's patented networking protocol that links nodes, gateways and third-party underwater equipment into a single acoustic mesh. It handles multi-vendor interoperability, onboard AI processing, encryption and authentication, and adapts routing and settings in real time as underwater conditions change.
W·Gateway
Bridges the underwater acoustic network to surface and onshore systems, relaying data and commands between submerged nodes and control centres. A single unit can run up to three acoustic transceivers, mounts on a solar-powered buoy, and offers open APIs plus GPS and Ethernet connections for integrating with third-party systems.
W·Edge
Software that processes sensor data close to where it is generated underwater rather than only after it reaches the cloud, so operators can act on structural or environmental readings in real time. It is aimed at managing physical underwater assets that need fast, reliable decisions in the field.
W·Cloud
The cloud layer that stores, analyses and visualises data collected across a WSense deployment, including 3D visualisation of monitored structures and marine environments. It ingests external sensor feeds including video, exposes an API library for third-party integration, and keeps data ownership with the client.
About
WSense is a Rome-based ocean technology company that builds wireless underwater communication and sensor networks, replacing the cabled systems traditionally used to monitor the seabed. It was spun out of Sapienza University of Rome in 2012 by Chiara Petrioli, a professor of computer engineering at the university, together with co-founders Daniele Spaccini and Ernesto Montaldo. The company describes its technology as "subsea Wi-Fi" for what it calls the Internet of Underwater Things, connecting sensors, cameras, divers and underwater vehicles into a single acoustic network that reports back to the surface in real time.
Offices
Rome, ItalyBergen, NorwayLondon, United KingdomBacked by
SWEN Capital PartnersCDP Venture Capital SGRRunwayFBUAxon Partners GroupRypplesFincantieriIndico Capital PartnersSIMEST
Timeline
2026-07
Fincantieri signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake in WSense, 61.95% rising to 75% within 24 months through a holding vehicle, pending Golden Power clearance.
2026-02
Fincantieri began integrating WSense's wireless technology into its DEEP system for monitoring and protecting critical underwater infrastructure.
2025-10
Closed further pre-series B funding to reach 25 million euros raised to date, with Indico Capital Partners and SIMEST joining as new investors.
2025-04
Raised a 7.2 million euro pre-series B round with Fincantieri joining as a new investor alongside Rypples.
2023
Closed a Series A funding round led by SWEN Capital Partners, joined by CDP Venture Capital SGR, RunwayFBU and Axon Partners Group.
2012
Founded as a spin-off from Sapienza University of Rome by Chiara Petrioli, Daniele Spaccini and Ernesto Montaldo.
Open Positions (0)
No positions available
WSense doesn't have any open positions at the moment.
Products & Solutions
W·Node
An underwater multi-sensor node with a built-in acoustic modem for shallow-water monitoring, rated to 300 metres depth with more than a year of battery life. It links to other nodes over single or multi-hop acoustic connections, carries underwater positioning, and connects to third-party water quality and structural sensors through an optional four-port expansion module.
W·Node Enhanced
A deep-water version of W·Node with higher onboard computing power for running AI tasks directly on the device. It can power auxiliary equipment such as cameras, hydrophones and multiparametric probes, and works with external acoustic or optical modems, all remotely reconfigurable over the acoustic network.
W·Mesh
WSense's patented networking protocol that links nodes, gateways and third-party underwater equipment into a single acoustic mesh. It handles multi-vendor interoperability, onboard AI processing, encryption and authentication, and adapts routing and settings in real time as underwater conditions change.
W·Gateway
Bridges the underwater acoustic network to surface and onshore systems, relaying data and commands between submerged nodes and control centres. A single unit can run up to three acoustic transceivers, mounts on a solar-powered buoy, and offers open APIs plus GPS and Ethernet connections for integrating with third-party systems.
W·Edge
Software that processes sensor data close to where it is generated underwater rather than only after it reaches the cloud, so operators can act on structural or environmental readings in real time. It is aimed at managing physical underwater assets that need fast, reliable decisions in the field.
W·Cloud
The cloud layer that stores, analyses and visualises data collected across a WSense deployment, including 3D visualisation of monitored structures and marine environments. It ingests external sensor feeds including video, exposes an API library for third-party integration, and keeps data ownership with the client.
Open Positions (0)
No positions available
WSense doesn't have any open positions at the moment.
About
WSense is a Rome-based ocean technology company that builds wireless underwater communication and sensor networks, replacing the cabled systems traditionally used to monitor the seabed. It was spun out of Sapienza University of Rome in 2012 by Chiara Petrioli, a professor of computer engineering at the university, together with co-founders Daniele Spaccini and Ernesto Montaldo. The company describes its technology as "subsea Wi-Fi" for what it calls the Internet of Underwater Things, connecting sensors, cameras, divers and underwater vehicles into a single acoustic network that reports back to the surface in real time.
Offices
Rome, ItalyBergen, NorwayLondon, United KingdomBacked by
SWEN Capital PartnersCDP Venture Capital SGRRunwayFBUAxon Partners GroupRypplesFincantieriIndico Capital PartnersSIMEST
Timeline
2026-07
Fincantieri signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake in WSense, 61.95% rising to 75% within 24 months through a holding vehicle, pending Golden Power clearance.
2026-02
Fincantieri began integrating WSense's wireless technology into its DEEP system for monitoring and protecting critical underwater infrastructure.
2025-10
Closed further pre-series B funding to reach 25 million euros raised to date, with Indico Capital Partners and SIMEST joining as new investors.
2025-04
Raised a 7.2 million euro pre-series B round with Fincantieri joining as a new investor alongside Rypples.
2023
Closed a Series A funding round led by SWEN Capital Partners, joined by CDP Venture Capital SGR, RunwayFBU and Axon Partners Group.
2012
Founded as a spin-off from Sapienza University of Rome by Chiara Petrioli, Daniele Spaccini and Ernesto Montaldo.
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