ZEI's MIOS unmanned surface vessel (USV) saves the US DoD billions of dollars, rapidly accelerates retasking to the Pacific theater, and saves warfighter lives.
ZEI's MIOS (Maritime Interdiction Overwatch System) is a 1.6 m micro-USV that is stealthy, long range, and hand-launchable, outperforming the competition from Saronic, BlackSea, HavocAI, and AEVEX in critical areas. MIOS transforms conventional artillery and shipboard cannon into precision weapons—much like the JDAM revolutionized “dumb” bombs. Think of playing the game Battleship, but now you can see your opponent’s board. By being able to re-use existing DoD assets such as the Army's vast 155 mm artillery stockpile in contested maritime and littoral environments in the Pacific theater, ZEI's MIOS solves three of DoD's most critical problems at once by: (1) providing rapid, cost effective force build-up, (2) reducing burden on the US industrial base, and (3) reducing the cost of battle by orders of magnitude.
About ZEI:
ZEI’s combination of technology solutions, track record, and elite team is solving the DoD’s propulsion and energy needs. We have demand from the US Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and the Special Forces and are establishing rapid, parallel contracting pathways to enable quick adoption by the warfighter.
Chevron, Trafigura, and Crowley are ZEI’s Series A investors. Their first customer was Honda Racing Corporation.
ZEI has a 7-year track record of delivering hydrogen technology that actually works in the real world and solves real problems. ZEI has delivered four World’s Firsts in its 7-year history, all operating successfully today:
* The world’s first hydrogen fuel cell commercial ferry, currently operating in San Francisco by SF Bay Ferry, with full US Coast Guard safety certifications.
* The world’s first - and only - man portable hydrogen fueling system (FTcase), completely solving the primary problem of hydrogen adoption by eliminating the need for installed infrastructure.
* The world’s highest performing hydrogen-battery hybrid power system for maritime (Z-Class)
* The world’s first repowered hydrogen Go-Fast boat, and the fastest hydrogen boat in North America, using ZEI’s proprietary Z-Class power system.
ZEI is led by the world-leading subject matter expert in hydrogen energy for maritime, Dr. Joe Pratt, CEO and Co-Founder. Joe has over 25 years of experience in hydrogen technology including applications of UAVs, airplanes, gensets, soldier power, material handling, heavy duty trucks and buses, commercial shipping, passenger vessels, recreational boating, and combatant craft. Prior to ZEI Joe spent 8 years at the US Department of Energy / National Nuclear Security Agency’s Sandia National Laboratories leading teams and programs to solve the hardest technical and market challenges in hydrogen and energy technology. ZEI’s CSO and Co-Founder John Motlow has over 15 of experience in technology startups as Founder, Co-Founder, and early employee with several successful exits. He focuses on strategic planning, product development, marketing, and sales and has a degree in History focused on Military Conflict.
ZEI also has two former Naval Special Warfare Operators (SWCC) on the team, who bring close personal relationships and direct access to DoD decision makers, operators, and procurement officers in SOCOM, JSOC, NSW, INDOPACOM, and more.
Supporting Joe and John is an executive team comprised of former employees from Apple, and SAFE Boats, and an elite, mission driven team of top-tier talent across the organization with pedigree such as F1, Nel, and Dedrone.
