Blue economy investors investing in marine tech and sustainable fisheries in 2026

Blue economy is fragmented. Most climate investors say they do ocean tech but actually mean offshore wind or shipping logistics. Finding VCs who understand aquaculture unit economics, marine robotics deployment costs, or sustainable fisheries is harder than it should be.

This list covers investors who've closed blue economy deals from 2025 to 2026. Some focus on aquaculture, others on ocean monitoring or marine biotech. All have written checks in ocean-related sectors recently.

Quick list

Finding investors who understand blue economy

Experience: Look for investors who've backed ocean companies through regulatory approvals or environmental permitting. Blue economy founders deal with marine protected areas, fishing quotas, and coastal zone regulations that most climate investors don't understand. Find VCs who know the difference between ocean monitoring and actual ocean-based production, and explore relevant professional services offered by Ellty to streamline your investor interactions.

Network: Ask if they can intro you to NOAA officials, commercial fishing operations, or aquaculture facility operators. Those connections matter more than generic climate tech networks. Most ocean tech companies need partnerships with marine research institutions or coastal governments to scale, making strong screenshot protection useful when sharing sensitive early data.

Alignment: Climate investors often don't understand why aquaculture needs 18-month production cycles to validate unit economics. Hardware investors won't get why your ocean monitoring platform needs Coast Guard approval for deployment. Make sure they've funded marine-specific technologies before, and track investor engagement with your pitch using our deck activity tools.

Track record: Check if their portfolio companies actually achieved ocean-positive outcomes or just raised sustainability claims. Blue economy without measurable marine impact doesn't build defensible businesses. Use Ellty to share your deck with trackable links. You'll see who actually opens your environmental impact data and ocean deployment costs. You'll see who actually opens your environmental impact data and ocean deployment costs, giving you insight into investor fit within venture capital norms.

Value-add: Ask what happens when environmental groups challenge your permits or when marine conditions damage your equipment. Generic "we have a great network" answers are useless. You need investors who've helped ocean companies navigate NEPA reviews or coastal permitting challenges.

How to reach blue economy investors

Research their ocean focus: Check whether they invest in aquaculture, ocean monitoring, alternative seafood, or marine robotics. Aquaculture investors won't lead your ocean data platform round, no matter how impressive your sensor coverage looks. Some blue economy investors only do production systems, not monitoring. Send your documents using our secure workflows and follow best practices for sending pitch decks effectively.

Show unit economics in marine conditions: Most investors are tired of ocean tech with impressive lab results but terrible performance in actual ocean deployments. Lead with your cost per kilogram for aquaculture or cost per data point for monitoring systems in real marine environments. If you haven't deployed in open ocean, you don't have validated unit economics yet.

Share your deck strategically: Upload to Ellty and send trackable links. Monitor which pages investors spend time on. If they skip your permitting timeline or ocean deployment costs, that's useful information. It tells you they're not serious about the regulatory complexity of marine operations.

Get warm intros from portfolio founders: Message founders from their portfolio companies on LinkedIn and ask about response times during permitting delays or equipment failures. Most will tell you if the investor helped with regulatory strategy or just showed up to board meetings when things were going well.

Target the right events: Aquaculture Innovation Europe, Global Oceans Summit, and Seafood Expo are where blue economy deals happen. The Economist's World Ocean Summit has decision-makers. Skip generic climate tech conferences unless they have dedicated ocean tracks.

Use LinkedIn after intros: Connect with partners after you've been introduced by a portfolio founder or marine industry contact. Cold DMs to blue economy investors rarely work. They get pitched 25 ocean monitoring platforms per month.

Prepare your data room early: Set up an Ellty data room with your environmental impact assessments, permitting applications, and ocean deployment data before they ask. Blue economy due diligence focuses on regulatory risk and marine operating conditions. Have your environmental compliance documentation ready.

Lead with your marine differentiation: Don't waste 20 minutes explaining the $24T ocean economy. Every investor has seen that slide 100 times. Start with why your approach to ocean production or monitoring actually works in marine conditions better than existing solutions.

Why blue economy matters in 2026

Ocean-based carbon removal became fundable. Investors wrote $890M in checks for marine carbon sequestration and blue carbon projects in 2025. Most blue economy investors now want to see measurable carbon impact, not just sustainability claims.

The shift from ocean monitoring to ocean production accelerated. Investors favor aquaculture and alternative seafood over sensor platforms. The aquaculture market grew 8.2% in 2025 while ocean monitoring funding declined 15%. Production businesses with clear paths to profitability are getting funded.

20 blue economy investors

1. Aqua-Spark

Pure-play aquaculture investor that understands fish farming unit economics better than any generalist fund.

• Recent Deals: Atlantic salmon RAS facility Series B $35M (2025), shrimp farming biotech Series A $20M (2025), seaweed cultivation platform Series A $15M (2025), tilapia production system Seed $8M (2024)
• LinkedIn: Mike Velings
• Sector Focus: aquaculture, sustainable seafood, fish farming, marine biotech
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Location: Utrecht, Netherlands
• Website: aqua-spark.nl

2. Builders VC

Hardware and robotics investors focused on ocean monitoring and autonomous marine systems.

• Recent Deals: Autonomous underwater vehicle Series A $18M (2025), ocean sensor network Seed $12M (2025), marine robotics platform Series B $28M (2024)
• LinkedIn: Rajeev Madhavan
• Sector Focus: ocean robotics, marine monitoring, autonomous systems, hardware
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Location: San Francisco, USA
• Website: builders.vc

3. SeaAhead

Maritime tech accelerator turned investor backing shipping efficiency and ocean data companies.

• Recent Deals: Maritime shipping optimization Series A $14M (2025), ocean freight platform Seed $7M (2025), port automation technology Seed $5M (2024)
• LinkedIn: Christine Stahl
• Sector Focus: maritime tech, shipping, ocean data, logistics
• Stage Focus: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A
• Location: Boston, USA
• Website: seaahead.com

4. Katapult Ocean

Impact-focused ocean investor with 30+ marine tech portfolio companies across Europe.

• Recent Deals: Ocean plastic removal Series A $11M (2025), sustainable fishing tech Seed $6M (2025), marine biodiversity monitoring Seed $4M (2025)
• LinkedIn: Katapult Ocean Team
• Sector Focus: ocean tech, marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, impact
• Stage Focus: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A
• Location: Oslo, Norway
• Website: katapultocean.com

5. Blue Horizon

Alternative seafood and sustainable aquaculture investor with consumer brand focus.

• Recent Deals: Cell-cultured seafood Series B $25M (2025), plant-based fish Series A $16M (2025), precision fermentation seafood Seed $9M (2024)
• LinkedIn: Bjorn Witte
• Sector Focus: alternative seafood, aquaculture, food tech, sustainable protein
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Location: Zurich, Switzerland
• Website: bluehorizon.com

6. Closed Loop Partners

Circular economy investors focused on ocean plastic and marine waste solutions.

• Recent Deals: Ocean plastic recycling Series B $22M (2025), marine waste collection Seed $10M (2025), fishing gear recycling Series A $13M (2024)
• LinkedIn: Ron Gonen
• Sector Focus: circular economy, ocean plastic, waste reduction, recycling
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Location: New York, USA
• Website: closedlooppartners.com

7. Regeneration.VC

Regenerative ocean farming and blue carbon sequestration project investor.

• Recent Deals: Seaweed carbon farming Series A $14M (2025), kelp aquaculture platform Seed $8M (2025), blue carbon marketplace Seed $6M (2024)
• LinkedIn: Erin Koen
• Sector Focus: regenerative agriculture, ocean farming, blue carbon, climate solutions
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A
• Location: San Francisco, USA
• Website: regeneration.vc

8. New Climate Ventures

Climate tech fund including ocean-based carbon removal and monitoring systems.

• Recent Deals: Ocean carbon removal Series A $20M (2025), marine carbon monitoring Seed $11M (2025), blue carbon verification platform Seed $7M (2024)
• LinkedIn: Sophie Bakalar
• Sector Focus: climate tech, ocean carbon removal, marine monitoring, carbon markets
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A
• Location: London, UK
• Website: newclimate.vc

9. Aquaculture Innovation Fund

Government-backed fund for sustainable fish farming technology in Norway and Europe.

• Recent Deals: Offshore salmon farm Series B $40M (2025), RAS technology provider Series A $18M (2025), fish health monitoring Seed $9M (2024)
• LinkedIn: Aquaculture Innovation Fund Team
• Sector Focus: aquaculture, fish farming, marine biotech, sustainable seafood
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Location: Oslo, Norway
• Website: aquacultureinnovation.no

10. The Grantham Foundation

Long-term ocean conservation investor requiring commercial viability for portfolio companies.

• Recent Deals: Marine protected area monitoring Series A $12M (2025), sustainable fishing platform Seed $8M (2025)
• LinkedIn: Jeremy Grantham
• Sector Focus: ocean conservation, sustainable fisheries, marine protection, impact
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A
• Location: Boston, USA
• Website: granthamfoundation.org

11. SeaChange Fund

Impact investing in coastal resilience and marine ecosystem restoration projects.

• Recent Deals: Coastal restoration technology Series A $15M (2025), coral reef protection Seed $7M (2025), mangrove restoration platform Seed $5M (2024)
• LinkedIn: SeaChange Fund Team
• Sector Focus: coastal resilience, marine restoration, ocean conservation, impact
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A
• Location: San Francisco, USA
• Website: seachangefund.org

12. Fifth Wall

Built environment investor including coastal infrastructure and ocean-adjacent real estate.

• Recent Deals: Coastal flood protection Series B $30M (2025), marine infrastructure monitoring Series A $16M (2024)
• LinkedIn: Brendan Wallace
• Sector Focus: built environment, coastal infrastructure, climate resilience, real estate
• Stage Focus: Series A, Series B, Growth
• Location: Los Angeles, USA
• Website: fifthwall.com

13. Breakthrough Energy Ventures

Gates-backed climate fund with ocean carbon removal and marine technology focus.

• Recent Deals: Ocean-based carbon capture Series B $45M (2025), marine carbon verification Series A $22M (2024)
• LinkedIn: Carmichael Roberts
• Sector Focus: climate tech, ocean carbon removal, deep tech, breakthrough technologies
• Stage Focus: Series A, Series B, Series C
• Location: Seattle, USA
• Website: breakthroughenergy.org

14. Lowercarbon Capital

Climate solutions investor including ocean-based carbon capture and sequestration.

• Recent Deals: Ocean alkalinity enhancement Series A $24M (2025), marine carbon sequestration Seed $12M (2025), seaweed carbon removal Seed $8M (2024)
• LinkedIn: Clay Dumas
• Sector Focus: climate tech, carbon removal, ocean solutions, decarbonization
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Location: San Francisco, USA
• Website: lowercarboncapital.com

15. Elemental Excelerator

Grant-to-equity ocean tech companies with proven pilot projects in Hawaii and Pacific.

• Recent Deals: Ocean thermal energy Series A $18M (2025), wave energy conversion Seed $10M (2025), marine aquaculture platform Seed $7M (2024)
• LinkedIn: Dawn Lippert
• Sector Focus: ocean energy, marine tech, clean energy, Pacific region
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A
• Location: Honolulu, USA
• Website: elementalexcelerator.com

16. Ocean 14 Capital

European blue economy fund focused on sustainable seafood and aquaculture operations.

• Recent Deals: European fish farm operator Series B $38M (2025), seabass aquaculture Series A $19M (2025), oyster farming technology Seed $8M (2024)
• LinkedIn: Chris Gorell Barnes
• Sector Focus: aquaculture, sustainable seafood, fisheries, European markets
• Stage Focus: Series A, Series B, Growth
• Location: London, UK
• Website: ocean14capital.com

17. Apollo Projects

Deep tech ocean monitoring and autonomous marine systems with defense applications.

• Recent Deals: Underwater surveillance system Series A $21M (2025), autonomous marine drone Seed $13M (2025)
• LinkedIn: Apollo Projects Team
• Sector Focus: ocean monitoring, marine defense, autonomous systems, deep tech
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A
• Location: Washington DC, USA
• Website: apolloprojects.com

18. Cavallo Ventures

Corporate VC from Wilbur-Ellis backing ag-tech and aquaculture feed technology.

• Recent Deals: Aquaculture feed optimization Series A $17M (2025), fish health technology Seed $9M (2025), shrimp feed alternative Seed $6M (2024)
• LinkedIn: Andrew Cavallo
• Sector Focus: aquaculture, ag-tech, animal nutrition, feed technology
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A
• Location: San Francisco, USA
• Website: cavalloventures.com

19. Khosla Ventures

Climate tech fund including alternative seafood and ocean data platforms.

• Recent Deals: Cell-cultured seafood Series C $50M (2024), ocean data marketplace Series B $32M (2025)
• LinkedIn: Samir Kaul
• Sector Focus: climate tech, alternative seafood, ocean data, food tech
• Stage Focus: Series A, Series B, Series C
• Location: Menlo Park, USA
• Website: khoslaventures.com

20. Verse.VC

Impact investors backing regenerative aquaculture and ocean restoration businesses.

• Recent Deals: Regenerative seaweed farming Series A $13M (2025), oyster reef restoration Seed $7M (2025), kelp carbon credits platform Seed $5M (2024)
• LinkedIn: Verse.VC Team
• Sector Focus: regenerative ocean, aquaculture, marine restoration, impact investing
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A
• Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Website: verse.vc

Start tracking your ocean tech outreach

These 20 blue economy investors closed deals from 2025 to 2026. Before you start reaching out, set up proper tracking so you know which investors understand marine operating conditions.

Upload your deck to Ellty and create a unique link for each investor. You'll see exactly which slides they view and how long they spend on your ocean deployment data. Most ocean tech founders are surprised to learn investors skip sustainability claims but spend 8+ minutes on unit economics in marine conditions and permitting timelines.

When investors ask for environmental assessments or deployment results, share an Ellty data room instead of scattered email attachments. Your EIS documents, ocean trial data, and regulatory approvals in one secure place with view analytics. It shows you understand compliance requirements and speeds up due diligence.

Common questions

How do I know if an investor understands ocean tech regulations?

Ask which portfolio companies have secured ocean use permits or coastal zone approvals. If they can't name specific regulatory challenges their companies faced, they probably haven't invested in actual ocean operations before. Most climate investors underestimate marine permitting timelines.

Should I target aquaculture or ocean monitoring investors?

Depends on your business model. Aquaculture investors understand production economics and multi-year validation cycles. Monitoring investors won't get why you need 18 months to prove fish survival rates. If you do both production and monitoring, find investors who've backed integrated systems.

What metrics do blue economy investors actually care about?

Cost per kilogram for aquaculture, cost per data point for monitoring, and survival rates for marine organisms. They've seen too many ocean tech companies with impressive sensor specs but terrible performance in real ocean conditions. Also show your regulatory timeline and deployment risk mitigation.

How many blue economy investors should I reach out to?

Start with 10-15 that match your ocean sector and stage. Blue economy investors pass mostly because of regulatory risk or unproven ocean deployment, not because the market isn't big enough. Warm intros from portfolio founders who've navigated permitting matter more than volume.

When should I complete environmental impact assessments?

Before raising institutional money. Most blue economy investors won't lead a round without seeing your initial environmental review or permitting strategy. Get a preliminary EIS or coastal zone assessment before your first investor meeting if you're doing ocean production.

Do investors care more about environmental impact or unit economics?

Both, but unit economics in marine conditions come first. Too many ocean tech companies prioritized impact claims without proving cost-effectiveness in real ocean deployments. If you can't show profitable unit economics after ocean trials, investors won't take the meeting. Environmental impact matters for marketing, ocean-proven economics matter for fundability.