Minnowtech

Minnowtech, based in Baltimore, MD, specializes in precision aquaculture technologies for shrimp farming. The company's flagship product, the BRS-1 sonar biomass detector, employs advanced subsurface aquaculture technology to provide shrimp farmers with accurate shrimp count and biomass measurements. The BRS-1 uses sonar to gather information from beneath the pond's surface, offering instant access to data with a reported 95% accuracy rate. This technology enables shrimp farmers to optimize their harvests, increase profits, and foster sustainable and efficient farming operations.

The BRS-1 is designed to scan an area of one hectare, which is typical for intensive shrimp ponds in Southeast Asia and South America. For larger ponds, multiple units can work in tandem. The device is most effective for shrimp at 15 grams and larger, or animals at day 30 of the typical shrimp culture cycle, and works best in intensive shrimp farming operations with high stocking densities of 30 shrimp per square meter or more. By providing precise data on shrimp populations, the BRS-1 allows farmers to adjust feeding and harvest times, minimize waste, improve feed conversion ratios, and optimize water quality.

Minnowtech's technology applies machine learning and artificial intelligence to interpret the data gathered by the in-pond device, making it more effective over time. The company has developed shrimp-specific intelligence, including ecology and animal behavior knowledge.

Key customers and partnerships

Minnowtech has been collaborating with Early Charm, a startup studio, to develop its integrated sensor-based systems. Minnowtech has also received support from various Maryland institutions, including the University System of Maryland-connected Maryland Momentum Fund.