We want to congratulate our July Startup San Diego Member of the Month, Lucas Wright, CEO of Smart Sail! Thank you, Lucas, for being part of the startup community and being a Member of Startup San Diego.
Learn About Lucas
Lucas Wright is the founder and CEO of Smart Sail, the company behind PATHR, an AI-powered boating platform designed to create a more connected and intelligent experience on the water. A lifelong sailor, pilot, and former flight test engineer, Lucas spent his career working on safety-critical aviation and autonomous aircraft programs, including as an early employee at Anduril Industries. He founded Smart Sail after recognizing how far recreational boating lagged behind aviation in pre-trip planning, decision support, and connected technology. PATHR brings navigation, weather, vessel-specific routing, safety tools, community knowledge, and onboard vessel data into one connected platform, with the long-term goal of putting the world’s most experienced captain in every boater’s pocket. The app is now live on iOS and is being tested aboard Lucas’s Catalina 38 in San Diego.
A Word from Lucas
“Leaving aviation to build Smart Sail meant stepping into a world where I genuinely did not know what I did not know. Startup San Diego gave me a place to learn in public, meet other people taking big swings, and quickly feel like I was exactly where I needed to be. The community has shaped how I think about fundraising, introduced me to people who have challenged and supported the company, and made the startup journey feel far less isolating. What stands out most is how willing people are to share what they have learned, make introductions, and root for one another. That kind of support can completely change the trajectory of a young company.”
Become a Member of Startup San Diego and Get Involved in the Community
Get access to events and a network of founders, investors, builders, and startup professionals. Become a Member of Startup San Diego and get deeply involved in the startup ecosystem with complimentary tickets to Last Fridays Co-Working Days, Deep Dive Sessions, 1st Mondays Networking and Expert Panels, 1:1 Founder Mentoring, and the annual San Diego Startup Week.
