On June 12, 2026, in Paris, SEA.AI was awarded the Prix Croissance at the 9th edition of the Prix Next Innov Banque Populaire, one of France’s most prestigious innovation competitions, organized in partnership with Maddyness.
Among nearly 300 candidates spanning artificial intelligence, health technology and environmental innovation, SEA.AI stood out as a company that has not only built something remarkable, but proven it at sea, at scale.
What the Award Recognizes
The Prix Croissance distinguishes companies for whom innovation has been a measurable driver of growth. It does not reward ideas. It rewards execution.
The jury selected SEA.AI for exactly that: a machine vision system that runs on more than 1,200 vessels worldwide, detecting any floating object invisible to radar and AIS continuously, day and night.
A Jury of Exceptional Weight
Being selected by this jury matters. The 2026 edition was presided by Armand Thiberge, founder and CEO of Brevo and the builder of France’s most recent tech unicorn, a figure who understands better than most what it takes to scale a technology company from conviction to global relevance.
Around him, decision-makers drawn from the full spectrum of the French innovation ecosystem: Charlotte Corbaz from Bpifrance, Isabelle de Crémoux of Seventure Partners, Maya Noël of France Digitale, Laurence Petit from the CEA, Catherine Marte of France Biotech, and Nathalie Mercier-Perrin, President of the Cluster Maritime Français, whose presence gave particular resonance to SEA.AI’s recognition.
These are not ceremonial names. They are investors, operators and institution builders who evaluate innovation for a living.
Each of the twelve finalists was invited to pitch their project before this panel. Six laureates were selected. SEA.AI was among them.
A Founding Convinction, Now Validated
SEA.AI has been building machine vision for maritime safety since 2018, before the industry was asking for it, before the regulatory frameworks existed, and before AI became the defining conversation in every sector. That early commitment is precisely what this award reflects.
The Prix Croissance is not recognition for a proof of concept. It is recognition for a company that built the technology, took it to sea, and demonstrated its value across recreational boating, commercial maritime and defense, with 1,200 systems deployed globally as the most tangible evidence.
What Comes Next
The Prix Next Innov comes with more than recognition. Laureates receive access to a network of expert partners, tailored support and resources designed to accelerate their international growth, a dimension that aligns directly with SEA.AI’s trajectory across Europe, North America and beyond.
For SEA.AI, this is not an arrival point. It is confirmation that the course is right.
