40 Years Delivering the Future
Celebrating four decades of relentless curiosity and disruptive innovation
DISCOVER OUR JOURNEY ↓Our Story in Motion: The Oceanit40 Video Series
Oceanit began in the middle of the Pacific with just $100 and a bold vision. Starting in Hawaii, far from traditional tech hubs, gave us the freedom to rethink innovation—blending science, engineering, and business in entirely new ways.
This unique perspective shaped our “mind to market” approach, transforming ideas rooted in fundamental science into real-world technologies that impact healthcare, energy, aerospace, and more. As we celebrate 40 years, we’re sharing the stories, breakthroughs, and journeys that define who we are and where we’re going next.
Explore the full Oceanit40 series and see how we turn ideas into impact.
Disruptive innovation pushes science and invention past the bounds of what’s considered possible. Disruption exists at the fine wrinkle between failure and discovery. It’s not easy, but with practice, one can learn to get comfortable riding the ragged edge of the knowledge abyss.Dr. Patrick K. Sullivan, CEO & Founder
Resilient and Sustainable Engineering
Oceanit creates resilient, sustainable solutions that integrate science, engineering, and culture. From coastlines to critical infrastructure, we design with purpose—advancing technologies that adapt, endure, and serve communities through innovation rooted in place and impact.
KERTEX: Learning Nature’s Secrets
What can chicken feathers teach us? At Oceanit, they inspired KERTEX™—a high-performance, feather-based textile born from nature and designed for defense. Now, it’s sparking innovation in fashion and sustainability. From waste to wonder, this is nature reimagined.
Opportunity Disguised as Chaos
After Deepwater Horizon, Oceanit and Shell developed SCIN—a smart coating that makes steel more hydrophilic, strengthening its bond with cement. This small insight led to a life-saving innovation that improves offshore drilling safety and protects people and planet.
Growing the Future
Oceanit’s internship program tackles Hawai‘i’s STEM brain drain by combining mentorship, hands-on R&D, and real-world impact—empowering the next generation of local innovators to lead and build a stronger Hawai‘i.
When the World Stopped
Using AI to decode RNA, Oceanit rapidly developed ASSURE-100—a fast, accurate COVID-19 test—to meet the urgent needs of frontline communities. Born from deep research, it delivered real-world impact when speed, access, and trust were needed most.
What We’ve Learned After 40 Years
CEO and Founder Dr. Patrick Sullivan shares Oceanit’s journey—from an unconventional idea in 1985 to 40 years of innovation fueled by childlike wonder and a boundless drive to make the world a better place.
