Aquawise to Showcase AI Water Quality Tech at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

The Critical Role of Water Quality in Aquaculture

Maintaining optimal water quality is paramount for the health of livestock in aquaculture farms. Current methods of monitoring, such as sensors and water testing kits, often present a significant financial barrier for farmers, particularly in regions like Southeast Asia.

Aquawise: An Innovative Solution

Aquawise is developing a novel approach to water quality monitoring for aquaculture farmers in Southeast Asia. Their solution leverages the power of artificial intelligence and readily available satellite imagery, eliminating the need for costly hardware investments.

How Aquawise Works

Based in Bangkok, Aquawise utilizes satellite images of fish and shrimp farms. These images are then processed by a physics-based AI model.

This model continuously monitors crucial water parameters, including temperature, chlorophyll levels, and dissolved oxygen concentrations.

Continuous Monitoring and Predictive Capabilities

Unlike traditional methods that offer only daily or weekly snapshots, Aquawise provides continuous water quality monitoring.

The platform also incorporates tracking and predictive analytics, offering farmers valuable insights into potential issues.

The Importance of Water Quality, According to Aquawise

“Water quality is fundamentally important in aquaculture,” explains Patipond Tiyapunjanit, co-founder and CEO of Aquawise. “Just as humans require breathable air, aquatic life depends on optimal water conditions for survival.”

He further emphasizes that suboptimal water quality can induce stress, trigger disease outbreaks, and ultimately impact productivity.

TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 Showcase

Aquawise will be demonstrating its technology at the Startup Battlefield competition during TechCrunch Disrupt 2025. The event will be held from October 27 to 29 at Moscone West in San Francisco.

The Genesis of Aquawise

The company’s origins trace back to the passion of nineteen-year-old Tiyapunjanit for shrimp cultivation. This interest sparked a research project focused on shrimp larvae.

Forming the Founding Team

During the 2023 Young Scientist Competition, Tiyapunjanit connected with Chanati Jantrachotechatchawan and Kobchai Duangrattanalert.

Initially advising a competing team, Jantrachotechatchawan and Duangrattanalert were impressed by Tiyapunjanit’s work and subsequently provided guidance, leading to a victory at the 2024 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair.

Identifying the Core Problem

Following their success, the team focused on identifying the most pressing challenges within the aquaculture industry.

“We discovered that water quality is a widespread issue, affecting 80% of aquaculture farms and resulting in approximately $30 billion in annual losses,” Tiyapunjanit stated.

Aquawise Founded in 2024

This realization served as the foundation for Aquawise, which was officially established in 2024.

Regional Disparities in Water Quality Management

While water quality is a concern for aquaculture farms globally, the issue is particularly acute in developing regions like Southeast Asia, according to Duangrattanalert.

Farmers in these areas often lack the financial resources to invest in monitoring technologies and rely on less reliable methods like weather reports and manual checks.

From Sonar to Satellite Imagery

Aquawise initially explored the use of sonar technology for water quality monitoring. However, they quickly realized that even this approach would remain financially inaccessible for many farmers.

A Commitment to Regional Empowerment

“Our goal is to empower individuals, particularly in Thailand and throughout Southeast Asia, with tools that can enhance their livelihoods – benefiting their communities, the region, and their farms,” Duangrattanalert explained.

Data Collection and AI Model Refinement

Aquawise is currently collaborating with multiple farms to gather data. This data is crucial for continuously training and improving the accuracy of their AI model.

The company intends to ensure the model’s reliability before launching commercial offerings.

Future Funding Plans

The startup also plans to seek investment funding in the coming year to support its growth and expansion.

The Future of Aquaculture

“Aquaculture is currently the fastest-growing sector within the global food industry,” Tiyapunjanit noted. “The United Nations projects it as a key solution for feeding a projected population of 10 billion people, due to its ability to produce highly nutritious food with minimal emissions.”

For an opportunity to learn directly from Aquawise and explore numerous other innovative pitches, participate in insightful workshops, and forge valuable business connections, visit the TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 website for details. The event takes place October 27 to 29 in San Francisco.