Fisheries and Aquaculture AI Startup "Tidepool" Selected for Final Scale-Up TIPS Program

"Approximately 1.2 Billion KRW in R&D Funding Over Three Years"

Tidepool, a startup specializing in artificial intelligence (AI) technology for fisheries and aquaculture, announced on September 30 that it has been selected as a final participant in the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' "Scale-Up TIPS" program.

The Scale-Up TIPS program is designed so that when a consortium of private investors and research and development (R&D) specialists discovers and invests in promising companies, the government provides additional matched R&D funding. Tidepool was recognized for its technological capabilities and business potential once again, having been selected for the TIPS program last year and now for the Scale-Up TIPS program this year. With this selection, the company will receive approximately 1.2 billion KRW (about 1.2 billion won) in R&D support over the next three years.

Tidepool operates "FISHSCOPE," an AI-based aquaculture productivity optimization solution, and "FISHFATHER," a high-quality aquaculture seafood distribution and sales brand. By introducing AI technology into the relatively slow-to-adopt primary industry sector, the company is driving improvements in productivity and supply chain stability. Through this support, Tidepool plans to develop solutions such as aquaculture seafood shortage prediction, computer vision-based fry counters, and AI-based shipping prediction models, thereby contributing to the stabilization of seafood supply and enhancement of industry efficiency.

Lee Junho, CEO of Tidepool, stated, "We will integrate the core AI technology accumulated through FISHSCOPE with the industry network established via FISHFATHER operations to harmonize technology and field applications. As a leading force in the smart transformation of Korea's aquaculture industry, Tidepool will continue to focus all its resources on strengthening the global competitiveness of the fisheries and aquaculture sector."

Meanwhile, in December last year, Tidepool secured a total of 1.5 billion KRW (about 1.5 billion won) in Pre-A investment from FuturePlay and BonAngels. Since its founding, the company has dedicated itself to developing the core AI technology for FISHSCOPE, achieving rapid commercialization, and within three years of establishment, successfully entered the live fish distribution market with the FISHFATHER brand. This year, the company is rapidly growing with a goal of achieving 20 billion KRW (about 20 billion won) in sales.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.