ZELIM APPOINTS USCG SAR EXPERT FOR NORTH AMERICA EXPANSION FOLLOWING SERIES A FUNDING SUCCESS
We are excited to announce our expansion into North America with the appointment of a former Commander of the United States Coast Guard as part of our strategy to open new markets for our man-overboard and security threat detection and recovery technologies.
Commander Matthew Mitchell, who has 20 years of service with the USCG—most recently as head of search and rescue and policy—joins us as Director of Search and Rescue, US & APAC to lead the newly incorporated Zelim LLC and support our growth across North America and other regions.
Zelim LLC is currently being established on the USA’s East Coast, with recruitment underway to build a team that will expand on the early sales of our ZOE Intelligent Detection system, GUARDIAN rescue craft, and SWIFT Man-overboard Recovery Conveyor across the cruise, offshore energy, coastguard, and defence sectors.
Doug Lothian, our CTO and co-founder, said: “Matt has already played a pivotal role in securing a cooperative R&D agreement with the USCG, resulting in ZOE’s development and market introduction. We look forward to continuing this relationship and drawing on Matt’s extensive experience and network as our new Director of Search and Rescue, US & APAC.
“Matt is uniquely positioned to leverage our safety and security technology to dramatically improve search and rescue capabilities globally, across all market segments, including national SAR authorities.”
North America is a key territory for us. Having already secured orders and partnership agreements from early adopters in Canada and the USA, a physical presence in the USA will allow us to better facilitate and serve anticipated demand from new and existing customers.
Commander Matthew Mitchell, our Director of Search and Rescue, US & APAC, said: “As the former chief of policy for the United States Coast Guard Search and Rescue division, I have witnessed first-hand the limitations of existing tools and technologies. Zelim’s solutions represent a quantum leap forward in man-overboard monitoring and response, and I am determined to ensure this technology is implemented worldwide.
“ZOE, in particular, is the most significant breakthrough in search and rescue technology since the advent of search theory in 1946. It has the potential to completely transform how we detect, respond to, and ultimately save the lives of those who find themselves in peril in open waters. It’s a game-changer, plain and simple.”
He added: “Zelim’s sense of purpose and commitment to improving maritime safety was a key driver in my decision to join the team.”
The appointment of Commander Mitchell follows the successful closure of our Series A investment, where we raised £5.2 million in funding to scale up and expand from Amati Global Investors, existing investors, and several new private investors. A further £1.95 million was secured from Innovate UK’s Innovation Loan programme, which will fund ongoing development of the ZOE product line.
Our CEO and Founder, Sam Mayall, said: “The successful closure of this round, following successful seed rounds, indicates the confidence the market has in the company and our technologies. We can now light the torch on expanding commercial operations, focusing first on the Americas, where there is a huge maritime market and strong demand for our life-saving technology.”
ZOE will be installed on a second jack-up rig operated by Texas-based offshore contractor Valaris. The Canadian Civil Aviation Search and Rescue Association, as well as North American defence customers, are trialling the system. There are also opportunities within multiple maritime sectors across the USA and Canada.
