# Yarden Gross

> Yarden Gross is the Israeli co-founder and CEO of Orca AI, which develops AI-powered navigation and fleet operations technology. Raised around his family’s tourist boats on Lake Galilee, he served in the Israeli Navy, co-founded automotive technology startup Engie, and founded Orca AI with Dor Raviv in 2018.

- **Role:** Co-founder and CEO at Orca AI
- **Organizations:** Orca AI, Engie
- **Nationality:** Israeli
- **Education:** BA in Economics and Business, Reichman University (formerly IDC Herzliya), Zell Entrepreneurship Program, IDC Herzliya
- **Known for:** Co-founded Orca AI in 2018 and led it as CEO through its May 2025 Series B., Orca AI reported total funding of $111 million following its $72.5 million Series B., Led Orca AI during its contribution to the 2022 DFFAS autonomous voyage trial.

## Career timeline

- **—** — Served in the Israeli Navy as a diving course instructor; met Dor Raviv during a commanders course.
- **2013** — Began his entrepreneurial career as co-founder and CEO of automotive technology venture Engie; the company database records founding in March 2014.
- **2017** — Moved from CEO to a co-founder and director role at Engie.
- **2018** — Co-founded Orca AI with Dor Raviv and became CEO.
- **2022** — Orca AI provided perception technology for the DFFAS consortium’s Suzaku autonomous voyage trial in Japan.
- **2025** — Orca AI announced a $72.5 million Series B led by Brighton Park Capital.
- **2026** — Orca AI announced a collaboration with Samsung Heavy Industries; Eastern Pacific Shipping expanded deployment following a five-vessel pilot.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Orca AI in 2018 and led it as CEO through its May 2025 Series B.
- Orca AI reported total funding of $111 million following its $72.5 million Series B.
- Led Orca AI during its contribution to the 2022 DFFAS autonomous voyage trial.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Discussed building trust in onboard AI at SMM Hamburg, including reliability and practical value for crews.
- **2026-08** — Eastern Pacific Shipping expanded Orca AI deployment to dozens of additional vessels after a five-vessel pilot covering more than 130,000 nautical miles.
- **2026-04** — Orca AI and Samsung Heavy Industries announced an MoU for phased collaboration on autonomous vessel technology.
- **2025-12** — In an interview, Gross emphasized decision support, shared maritime intelligence, and liability frameworks on the path to autonomy.

## Links

- Website: https://www.orca-ai.io/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarden-gross-4419a242/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/yarden-gross
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-23