Aqua Spark
Aqua-Spark is an investment fund with a focus on sustainable aquaculture businesses around the world. The small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) they invest in are working toward the production of safe, accessible aquatic life, such as fish, shellfish and plants, in ways that do not harm their oceans. Their investors value the fact that each investment aims to create triple impact—specifically, each investment is chosen for its potential to generate significant financial returns while also activating positive environmental and social outcomes.
Aqua-Spark believes that committing to a long-term vision is the way to realize effective and lasting impact results. When it comes to investments, they do not seek quick exits; instead, they look for entrepreneurs who strive to build and scale toward the future, who see their business as major economic opportunities that can also help solve looming environmental and food security challenges over the long-term. As an essential of each investee, Aqua-Spark seeks sustainability.
Past deals in Mozambique
eFishery
Series C in 2022
eFishery is automatic fish feeder for all types of fish. This tool can not only provide feed scheduled, with a dose efficient, and automatic, but also record every feed in real-time. You can access the data feed, anytime, anywhere with precision. There is no longer a problem of over-feeding, fish feeding or feed irregularly diverted. eFishery provide the best solutions, reliable, and affordable.
Indian Ocean Trepang
Venture Round in 2016
The Organic Sea Cucumber of Madagascar, Sandfish, Holothuria scabra.
Sea cucumbers have been consumed as a delicacy, since as early as the 8th century.
Today, sea cucumbers are critical to the Indo-Pacific region ecosystems, where local fishermen harvest them to meet rising global demand. But, due to the long-standing exploitation of the 70+ sea cucumber species - which have a commercial value -, tropical regions are seeing alarming extinctions of their respective local sea cucumber species.
Indian Ocean Trepang (“IOT”) grows, processes and sells dried sea cucumbers to consumers worldwide, using a unique low-tech environmentally-sound model, for which a portion of its production is subcontracted to low-income fishermen giving them access to a growing and lucrative global market. IOT partners with local fishing villages, to return sea cucumber farming back to its natural spot, in the sea, and away from expensive facilities.
Protix Biosystems BV
Private Equity Round in 2022
Protix B.V. manufactures and supplies functional proteins for cattle and other nutrients by converting organic residual streams through various insects. It provides nutrients, such as protein meals and insect fats that can be cultivated on a variety of food scraps of meat, fish, and dairy products. The company’s products are used as fishmeal alternatives and pet food additives. The company was founded in 2009 and is based in Dongen, the Netherlands. It also operates a production facility in Bergen op Zoom, the Netherlands.
Matorka
Venture Round in 2016
Matorka ehf. produces seafood. The company focuses on land based farming of salmonid for world markets. It serves seafood restaurants and retailers. The company was founded in 2010 and is based in Kopavogur, Iceland.
XpertSea Solutions Inc.
Series B in 2021
XpertSea Solutions Inc. develops solutions to count aquatic organisms for aquaculture farmers and scientists worldwide. It offers XperCount, a connected device for counting, sizing, and imaging small aquatic organisms. The company also provides a platform for generating, storing, and analyzing data about aquatic populations. XpertSea Solutions Inc. was founded in 2009 and is based in Quebec, Canada.
Calysta, Inc.
Series D in 2017
Calysta Energy (www.calystaenergy.com), Menlo Park, CA., is developing a new biological gas-to-liquids™ (BioGTL™) and biological gas-to-chemicals (BioGTC™) technology using methane – an energy-rich component of natural gas – as a new sustainable biological feedstock for high value industrial chemicals and transportation fuels with cost and performance advantages over current processes. The company is a spinout of DNA2.0, the largest US-based provider of synthetic genes for industrial and academic use.
Swedish Algae Factory
Venture Round in 2020
Swedish Algae Factory extracts with silicon algae as a raw material a nanoporous material from these algae, which when applied to solar panels gives increased efficiency. The first tests in laboratory environments indicate a significant increase in efficiency.
Love The Wild
Series A in 2017
Love The Wild creates exciting dinner solutions that are not only delicious, nutritious, and ecologically responsible. It sells an easy frozen kit of sustainable fish and bold sauce in the grocery store. Its customers are fish lovers who don’t always have time to cook from scratch or anyone who has been afraid to try cooking fish at home. They believe they can make a difference just by making dinner.
It aims to make life better for oceans and people by taking the intimidation and risk out of exceptional fish dinners. As leaders in the aquaculture movement, they partner with and support farmers we trust to source only the highest quality sustainable fish, freeze it fresh, then pair it with vibrant ingredients from cuisines around the globe.
Proteon Therapeutics
Post in 2021
Proteon Therapeutics, Inc is a biopharmaceutical company developing pharmaceuticals to address the medical needs of patients with renal and vascular diseases.
The company leverages a unique understanding of tissue remodeling to develop a pipeline of proprietary therapeutics.
Proteon Therapeutics’ first drug candidate (PRT-201) is in development for the improvement of blood flow following vascular surgery procedures.
The company’s initial clinical focus is vascular access for hemodialysis and peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
Sea6 Energy
Series B in 2021
Sea6 Energy Pvt. Ltd. develops technologies to cultivate, grow, and convert seaplants into biofuel, plant growth stimulants, and other bio-renewable products. The company also develops technology that enables the operation and handling of biomass cultivated on the floating farms. Its research and development activities also cover functional food ingredients from seaplants, nutrient supplements in animal feed, natural compounds as active molecules in cosmetics, conversion of seaplant biomass to fuel, and hydro-thermal conversion to fuel. The company was incorporated in 2010 and is based in Bengaluru, India.
Calysta, Inc.
Series D in 2021
Calysta Energy (www.calystaenergy.com), Menlo Park, CA., is developing a new biological gas-to-liquids™ (BioGTL™) and biological gas-to-chemicals (BioGTC™) technology using methane – an energy-rich component of natural gas – as a new sustainable biological feedstock for high value industrial chemicals and transportation fuels with cost and performance advantages over current processes. The company is a spinout of DNA2.0, the largest US-based provider of synthetic genes for industrial and academic use.
Cryoocyte
Series A in 2021
Ecto develops technology at the intersection of data and biology to enable a more efficient and sustainable aquaculture industry. We collaborate with farmers to streamline production and health management by leveraging advanced molecular tools and digital technologies. To date, our solutions have enabled farmers to create 51,510,714 additional healthy servings of protein.
Ecto has offices in Boston, Atlanta, and Stavanger (Norway) and serves customers all over the world. The company was founded at Harvard Innovation Labs in 2013 by Dmitry Kozachenok, MBA and James Webb, Ph.D. The company has received competitive research grants from the US National Science Foundation, US Department of Agriculture, and Innovation Norway.
Sea6 Energy
Series B in 2021
Sea6 Energy Pvt. Ltd. develops technologies to cultivate, grow, and convert seaplants into biofuel, plant growth stimulants, and other bio-renewable products. The company also develops technology that enables the operation and handling of biomass cultivated on the floating farms. Its research and development activities also cover functional food ingredients from seaplants, nutrient supplements in animal feed, natural compounds as active molecules in cosmetics, conversion of seaplant biomass to fuel, and hydro-thermal conversion to fuel. The company was incorporated in 2010 and is based in Bengaluru, India.
Chicoa Fish Farm
Seed Round in 2015
Chicoa Fish Farm produces and supplies tilapia fishes. The company was founded in 2017 and is based in Maputo, Mozambique.
Proteon Pharmaceuticals
Venture Round in 2021
PROTEON uses precision biology for microbiome protection to improve animal and human health, increasing environmental sustainability and eliminating the unnecessary use of antibiotics. We have developed a platform to develop and deliver bacteriophages for animal health solutions. Our pipeline includes solutions to prophylactically improve performance and food safety in poultry, as well as important prevent economically important bacterial diseases in aquaculture and dairy.
Cryoocyte
Venture Round in 2021
Ecto develops technology at the intersection of data and biology to enable a more efficient and sustainable aquaculture industry. We collaborate with farmers to streamline production and health management by leveraging advanced molecular tools and digital technologies. To date, our solutions have enabled farmers to create 51,510,714 additional healthy servings of protein.
Ecto has offices in Boston, Atlanta, and Stavanger (Norway) and serves customers all over the world. The company was founded at Harvard Innovation Labs in 2013 by Dmitry Kozachenok, MBA and James Webb, Ph.D. The company has received competitive research grants from the US National Science Foundation, US Department of Agriculture, and Innovation Norway.
eFishery
Seed Round in 2015
eFishery is automatic fish feeder for all types of fish. This tool can not only provide feed scheduled, with a dose efficient, and automatic, but also record every feed in real-time. You can access the data feed, anytime, anywhere with precision. There is no longer a problem of over-feeding, fish feeding or feed irregularly diverted. eFishery provide the best solutions, reliable, and affordable.
eFishery
Series A in 2018
eFishery is automatic fish feeder for all types of fish. This tool can not only provide feed scheduled, with a dose efficient, and automatic, but also record every feed in real-time. You can access the data feed, anytime, anywhere with precision. There is no longer a problem of over-feeding, fish feeding or feed irregularly diverted. eFishery provide the best solutions, reliable, and affordable.
Minipro
Venture Round in 2019
Molofeed (formerly MiniPro) is a Norwegian developer of larval feed for finfish and shrimp based on proprietary, micro-encapsulation technology. The company aims to solve an industry-specific issue of live feed production for fishes- besides being an expensive process, live feed supply is often limited, and adding to the problem is the fact that fish larvae aren’t able to digest nutrients in artificial feed.
Hatch Blue Ltd
Venture Round in 2018
Hatch Blue Limited is an accelerator specializing in pre-seed, early-stage aquaculture startups. The firm invests in nutrition, health, genetics/ biotech, production and tech sector companies. It runs a three-month long intensive program and includes housing at BTO25,000 (USD36, 000). The firm would select companies to invest between €0.10 million ($ 0.11 million) and €1 million ($ 11.16 million).When required the firm can invest additional €0.025 million ($0.028) in the program. Hatch Blue Limited was founded in 2017 and is based in Cork, Ireland.
Chicoa Fish Farm
Venture Round in 2015
Chicoa Fish Farm produces and supplies tilapia fishes. The company was founded in 2017 and is based in Maputo, Mozambique.
Proteon Pharmaceuticals
Venture Round in 2017
PROTEON uses precision biology for microbiome protection to improve animal and human health, increasing environmental sustainability and eliminating the unnecessary use of antibiotics. We have developed a platform to develop and deliver bacteriophages for animal health solutions. Our pipeline includes solutions to prophylactically improve performance and food safety in poultry, as well as important prevent economically important bacterial diseases in aquaculture and dairy.
Ace Aquatec
Venture Round in 2019
Ace Aquatec Limited provides technological developments to aquaculture and marine industries. The company develops marine mammal deterrents, humane electrical fish stunning equipment, biomass measurement underwater 3D camera, and sea lice removal and destruction systems. It operates as a global supplier of aquaculture solutions. The company was founded in 1999 and is based in Dundee, United Kingdom with additional offices in Scotland and Canada.
eFishery
Seed Round in 2014
eFishery is automatic fish feeder for all types of fish. This tool can not only provide feed scheduled, with a dose efficient, and automatic, but also record every feed in real-time. You can access the data feed, anytime, anywhere with precision. There is no longer a problem of over-feeding, fish feeding or feed irregularly diverted. eFishery provide the best solutions, reliable, and affordable.
Protix Biosystems BV
Venture Round in 2021
Protix B.V. manufactures and supplies functional proteins for cattle and other nutrients by converting organic residual streams through various insects. It provides nutrients, such as protein meals and insect fats that can be cultivated on a variety of food scraps of meat, fish, and dairy products. The company’s products are used as fishmeal alternatives and pet food additives. The company was founded in 2009 and is based in Dongen, the Netherlands. It also operates a production facility in Bergen op Zoom, the Netherlands.
Cryoocyte
Venture Round in 2017
Ecto develops technology at the intersection of data and biology to enable a more efficient and sustainable aquaculture industry. We collaborate with farmers to streamline production and health management by leveraging advanced molecular tools and digital technologies. To date, our solutions have enabled farmers to create 51,510,714 additional healthy servings of protein.
Ecto has offices in Boston, Atlanta, and Stavanger (Norway) and serves customers all over the world. The company was founded at Harvard Innovation Labs in 2013 by Dmitry Kozachenok, MBA and James Webb, Ph.D. The company has received competitive research grants from the US National Science Foundation, US Department of Agriculture, and Innovation Norway.
XpertSea Solutions Inc.
Series A in 2018
XpertSea Solutions Inc. develops solutions to count aquatic organisms for aquaculture farmers and scientists worldwide. It offers XperCount, a connected device for counting, sizing, and imaging small aquatic organisms. The company also provides a platform for generating, storing, and analyzing data about aquatic populations. XpertSea Solutions Inc. was founded in 2009 and is based in Quebec, Canada.
Protix Biosystems BV
Venture Round in 2017
Protix B.V. manufactures and supplies functional proteins for cattle and other nutrients by converting organic residual streams through various insects. It provides nutrients, such as protein meals and insect fats that can be cultivated on a variety of food scraps of meat, fish, and dairy products. The company’s products are used as fishmeal alternatives and pet food additives. The company was founded in 2009 and is based in Dongen, the Netherlands. It also operates a production facility in Bergen op Zoom, the Netherlands.
eFishery
Series B in 2020
eFishery is automatic fish feeder for all types of fish. This tool can not only provide feed scheduled, with a dose efficient, and automatic, but also record every feed in real-time. You can access the data feed, anytime, anywhere with precision. There is no longer a problem of over-feeding, fish feeding or feed irregularly diverted. eFishery provide the best solutions, reliable, and affordable.
BioFishency Ltd.
Venture Round in 2019
BioFishency is developing a cost-effective, all-in-one water treatment system for land-based aquaculture. The system operates with all different aquaculture methods: extensive (land ponds), intensive (constructed ponds), and recirculated. It enables fish farms to double or triple production while continuing to use installed infrastructure.
BioFishency overcomes the two key aquaculture challenges: limited water availability and buildup of toxic ammonia (excreted by the fish). It enhances the water conditions to increase the ability of the fish to survive, grow, and reproduce. With BioFishency’s system, farmers increase fish production with minimal investment, significantly increasing profitability and sustainability.
CageEye
Venture Round in 2018
CageEye is a many ten years of experience with instrumentation and hydroacoustics. they specialize in monitoring tools for aquaculture and hydroacoustic analysis tools, but our expertise covers everything from analog front-end hardware to end-user software.
