Since Alphabet X's founding, the self-described “moonshot factory” has been noted for the diversity of its technological solutions and the problems it seeks to solve. The combined research facility and accelerator has produced balloons for rural internet and kites for energy production.
Tidal, which quietly spun out of the division in mid-July, has lofty ambitions: to “sustainably feed humanity.” A goal as grand and abstract as that is, the newly formed company is focused on one specific element: salmon farming.
According to the World Wildlife Fund, “salmon farming is the world's fastest growing food production system, accounting for 70% of the market (2.5 million tonnes).”
Based in Trondheim, Norway, via Mountain View, Tidal has a very Google-esque approach to the industry: its combination of sensors, robotics, data science, and AI is designed to give farmers a more complete picture of their harvest. The system is designed to monitor fish, provide yield estimates, and catch potential problems like sea lice before they cause serious damage.
The company already works with farmers in Chile, Brazil, and its native Norway, where Tidal currently has 230 systems installed.
Image credit: Tidal
“In an industry where feed is the largest environmental and economic cost, Tidal empowers fish farmers around the world to make more sustainable decisions,” Astro Teller, president of X, said in a post accompanying the news. “Tidal is now well on its way to commercializing its technology and is growing into an independent company with the support of financial and strategic partners who share our vision.”
A Tidal representative told TechCrunch that a spin-out had been part of the plan for some time. Following the secretive layoffs, Alphabet has begun to reduce its “other investments” budget. In recent months, robotic farming company Mineral has been converted into a licensing business and recently sold a technology suite to John Deere. Assistive clothing company Skip was spun out last month.
The relationship after Alphabet's spin-out varies from company to company. In Tidal's case, the tech giant will remain a minority investor, and the startup has also begun raising outside capital. Perry Creek Capital led the latest round of funding, with backing from Ixus Venture Capital and Futurum Ventures. An undisclosed amount was raised.
Tidal says it's currently in “full growth mode” and plans to double or triple the number of systems it has installed over the next few years.