ScaleAQ to buy Norwegian net cleaning start-up

Aquaculture supplier ScaleAQ has entered into an agreement to buy net cleaning company Probotic.

The Norwegian start-up has developed an autonomous solution for the inspection and cleaning of nets at sea.

It was founded by Mikkel Pedersen in 2019, with the goal of making the aquaculture industry cleaner and safer.

First model

The idea for the robotic cleaner was born while cleaning nets in 2016 and, after several thousand hours of development, the company launched its first model.

Probotic has already struck a six-year agreement with a fish farmer, reports Fish Farming Expert’s Norwegian sister site Kyst.no.

ScaleAQ said that with the acquisition they will further strengthen their presence in Northern Norway, where Probotic has its headquarters.

Optimal results

“In order for the technology to produce optimal results, it is very important that the net is adapted to the robot cleaner, and the robot cleaner is adapted to the net,” said ScaleAQ CEO Audun Fjeldvær.

“We look forward to building on what has been developed and strengthening it through our expertise, network and value chain, both in Norway and internationally.”

Probotic CEO Michelle Opshaug and Pedersen, who will continue to be part of the ownership of the company, said: “With ScaleAQ as the owner, we gain access to both financial and human resources and security that allows us to focus fully on further product development, commercialisation and operation of the systems. We look forward to the next chapter.”