The USA Leaders
May 13, 2025
Imagine gliding over water, not in a plane, but in a boat that doesn’t even touch the waves. That future is no longer a concept, thanks to Navier, a US-based startup building the world’s first AI-powered, electric hydrofoil boat designed for urban waterways.
Who’s Behind It?
At the helm of this innovation is Dr. Sampriti Bhattacharyya, an MIT-trained roboticist and former NASA researcher. An Indian-origin tech leader, Bhattacharyya co-founded Navier in 2020 with a bold vision: to redefine transportation in coastal cities using software, sustainability, and aerospace-grade engineering.
“There’s an entire highway system on the water we’ve ignored. Navier wants to unlock that with clean, quiet boats that can fly,” – Sampriti Bhattacharyya.
What Makes Navier Different?
The flagship model, Navier N30, is a 30-foot-long electric boat that uses hydrofoil wings underneath the hull to lift itself above water, drastically reducing drag and increasing efficiency. It feels less like boating and more like flying silently above the surface.
Here’s what sets it apart:
- Fully electric propulsion with zero emissions
- Autonomous navigation powered by AI and sensors
- Hydrofoil tech to reduce water drag by up to 90%
- Remote diagnostics and over-the-air software updates
- Range of 75+ nautical miles per charge
Big Market Potential
With rising interest in sustainable marine transport, the global electric boat market is on track to reach $16.6 billion by 2030 (source: Allied Market Research). Navier is already positioning itself as the Tesla of this segment.
Their early customers? Luxury buyers, coastal property owners, and even governments in Miami, San Francisco, and Dubai, all exploring water-based transport to reduce traffic congestion.
Backed by Silicon Valley
Navier has secured over $50 million in venture funding to date, with backing from notable investors in clean tech and aerospace. The company is now expanding production and plans to begin limited commercial deployment by late 2025.
Navier has successfully raised funds through a Series A round, attracting a total of nine investors, including Leblon Capital and NextView Ventures.
What’s Next?
Navier is currently developing software platforms for smart docking, marine safety AI, and solar-powered charging solutions. Long-term plans include autonomous water taxi fleets and broader adoption in cities facing climate-related flooding and congestion.
Why It Matters?
Navier isn’t just building a boat—it’s building a sustainable future for urban mobility. And leading that change is a woman who’s proving that innovation, vision, and engineering excellence can truly make boats fly.
The Future of Water Travel Has Lifted Off
Navier isn’t just launching an electric boat—it’s launching a new era of clean, intelligent water transport. At a time when cities are choking on traffic and climate change is reshaping how we live, Sampriti Bhattacharyya’s flying boat offers a bold, beautiful alternative: a sustainable, AI-driven solution that turns waterways into highways.
What seemed like science fiction is now gliding over the water quietly, efficiently, and emission-free.
As Navier prepares for full-scale deployment, one thing is clear:
The future of mobility doesn’t just belong to the roads. It belongs to the water—and it’s already flying.
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