Business idea · Agency
Ocean Treasure Recovery Ventures
Ocean Treasure Recovery Ventures is a treasure hunting business that partners with investors to search for and recover valuable shipwrecks, splitting profits based on recovery agreements. It was pitched on My First Million in the episode "Ocean is the new space" - 7 Wild Ideas for the $3 Trillion Dollar Frontier" (aired April 7, 2025).
At a glance
| Podcast | My First Million |
|---|---|
| Hosted by | Sam Parr and Shaan Puri |
| Episode | "Ocean is the new space" - 7 Wild Ideas for the $3 Trillion Dollar Frontier |
| Aired | April 7, 2025 |
| Category | Agency |
| Real companies on the episode | Chip Forsyte's Treasure Hunting, Wild Type, Ulysses, Saronic, Rainmaker, SaleDrone |
The problem it solves
This venture capitalizes on the potential wealth hidden in shipwrecks while making the process more accessible and financially viable for treasure hunters.
How it makes money
The business could earn money through profit-sharing agreements with investors and a commission on recovered treasures, which incentivizes both risk-taking and collaboration.
Skills you need
Skills in marine archaeology, negotiation, project management, and underwater technology are important for successful treasure recovery.
The market, and why this works now
Advanced sonar technology enables precise mapping of underwater terrain, making it easier to locate shipwrecks. Initial revenue can come from partnerships with marine archaeology forums on Reddit, where treasure hunters and investors can connect and discuss potential ventures. A significant risk involves the high upfront capital required for equipment and initial research, which can lead to a lengthy payback period if recoveries do not yield immediate profits.
Our analysis, written after the episode. Not a quote from the show.
Real companies discussed on this episode
- Chip Forsyte's Treasure Hunting
A treasure hunting venture that seeks to uncover valuable shipwrecks and artifacts from the ocean floor.
- Wild Type
Wild Type is a startup focused on cultivating sustainable sushi-grade salmon in a lab, aiming to provide an alternative to traditional fishing and farming.
- Ulysses
Ulysses is a startup focused on building a general-purpose autonomy platform for maritime operations.
- Saronic
Saronic develops unmanned surface vehicles for defense applications in the ocean.
- Rainmaker
Rainmaker is a marine geoengineering company focused on managing ocean ecosystems and carbon levels through innovative methods.
- SaleDrone
SaleDrone builds autonomous sailboats equipped with sensors to gather data from the ocean.
Where this idea came from
Podcast: My First Million, hosted by Sam Parr and Shaan Puri
Episode: "Ocean is the new space" - 7 Wild Ideas for the $3 Trillion Dollar Frontier
Aired:
Summarized from the episode transcript. The show does not say which speaker raised each idea, so we credit the show, not a person.