In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, Thom Singer sits down with Joe Wolfel, CEO of Terradepth and former Navy SEAL, to explore the intersection of military discipline, ocean technology, and entrepreneurship. Joe shares his journey from leading special operations missions to building one of the most innovative ocean data companies in the world... right here in Austin, Texas.
Joe opens up about the founding of Terradepth and its mission to create a “Google Earth for the oceans.” Teradepth is pioneering ocean transparency through autonomous robotics, real-time data collection, and advanced software platforms. From supporting NOAA to major oil and gas companies, their work has the potential to redefine how we understand and manage our oceans.
The conversation covers the challenges of building a deep tech company in a landlocked city, the overlap between space and ocean technologies, and the cultural and strategic advantages Austin brings to emerging industries. Joe and Thom also reflect on environmental responsibility, data sharing, and how next-gen ocean tech can drive smarter global decision-making.
If you're interested in blue tech, data-driven sustainability, or the future of Austin’s tech ecosystem, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.
About Joe Wolfel:
Joe Wolfel is the CEO of Terradepth, leading the company's mission to unlock the potential of subsea data for industries such as energy, environmental science, and defense. Prior to his leadership role at Terradepth, Joe served as a Navy SEAL, gaining valuable experience in teamwork, resilience, and operational excellence. His time in the SEALs has shaped his approach to leadership and his commitment to tackling complex, high-stakes challenges. Additionally, Joe has been involved with Exbellum, further broadening his impact in advancing innovative solutions for both national security and commercial markets. At Terradepth, he continues to drive forward-thinking strategies and partnerships to reshape the future of ocean exploration and data accessibility.
About Terradepth:
Terradepth, Inc. delivers ocean data better than humanly possible through innovative subsea-to-cloud technologies. By combining autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), low-carbon survey services, and the Absolute Ocean cloud-native data platform, Terradepth is redefining how the world explores and understands the ocean. From scalable seabed mapping to intuitive data management and analysis, Terradepth enables faster, smarter maritime decisions across energy, infrastructure, and defense sectors. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Terradepth is pushing the boundaries of ocean exploration to unlock deeper insights for a sustainable future.
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