Echoes of Innovation: Hydrotwin’s Role in Dual-Use Maritime Tech

In this episode of the DefenceTech Podcast, we speak with Guilherme Beleza Vaz, CTO and Co-founder of HydroTWIN, a Portuguese startup at the forefront of underwater acoustic intelligence. Guilherme takes us inside HydroTWIN’s cutting-edge platform, which uses AI and digital twin technology to map, analyze, and interpret underwater soundscapes in real time. Originally developed for environmental monitoring, the system is now being adapted for defence use — helping naval forces detect, classify, and respond to acoustic events with unprecedented precision. We explore the journey from academic research to dual-use deployment, the role of edge computing in energy-constrained marine environments, and what it means to build sovereign capabilities in underwater tech. Guilherme also shares insights on participating in the Reverse Pitch at DefenceTech Meetup #3 and how direct engagement with military stakeholders is shaping HydroTWIN’s development roadmap. This episode is part of our series on Strategic Autonomy and Dual-Use Innovation, presented by the Black Swan Initiative, a Lisbon-based think tank preparing for the unthinkable.