Ocean 14 captures €130 million for marine impact fund - Tech.eu

Enriched Nordic · Found: 2026-03-11 08:10

Ocean 14 is sanctioned to back 20 to 25 growth-stage ocean restorative businesses in the next three years, specifically in areas like ...

Source: https://tech.eu/2023/02/13/ocean-14-captures-eur150-million-for-new-impact-fund/

Funding Details

Funder

Ocean 14 Capital

Funding Goal

Invest in growth-stage ocean restorative businesses across sustainable aquaculture, fisheries, circular plastics, marine flora/seaweed, and alternative proteins to generate market-leading returns with measurable SDG 14 impact.

Funding Amount

€150 million total fund size; individual investment sizes not disclosed

How to Apply

No formal application process disclosed. As a private equity fund, Ocean 14 Capital builds its own deal pipeline through proprietary investment theses and proactive sourcing. Companies can presumably reach out through the firm's website, but investments are made at the fund's discretion based on internal due diligence.

Target Region

Global, with approximately two-thirds of capital allocated to European companies

Last Checked

2026-03-11 23:46

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Must be a growth-stage commercial business (not a non-profit or early-stage startup)
• Must demonstrate measurable positive impact on SDG 14 (Life Below Water)
• Must be a technology-enabled or data-led business with potential for industrial scale

Project Scope

• Business must operate in one of five focus sectors: sustainable aquaculture, sustainable fisheries, fish protein alternatives, circular plastics, or marine flora/seaweed

Constraints

• European-based companies preferred (approximately two-thirds of capital allocated to Europe)
• No investments in shark finning, marine mammal exploitation, or high-trophic fish like tuna

Summary

Ocean 14 Capital (O14C) is a London-based private equity firm focused exclusively on the blue economy. Founded in November 2021 by Max Gottschalk, Chris Barnes, and George Duffield (the latter two formerly with Blue Marine Foundation), the fund raised €130 million toward its €150 million target as of early 2023. Key LPs include the European Investment Fund, Ingka Group (IKEA's largest franchisee), Builders Vision, Minderoo Foundation, and Monaco's sovereign wealth fund. The fund targets 20-25 growth-stage companies over three years, with approximately two-thirds of capital directed at European-based businesses. Investment focus areas include sustainable aquaculture, sustainable fisheries, fish protein alternatives, circular plastics, and marine flora/seaweed. The portfolio currently includes 15 companies spanning aquaculture (Syaqua, Tilabras, Kingfish Company, etc.), circular plastics (AION, Bureo, NovelPlast), ocean data (Sofar Ocean), and alternative protein (Enthos). O14C treats impact measurement with the same rigor as financial analysis, focusing exclusively on SDG 14 (Life Below Water). The firm employs a systematic five-step process including proprietary investment theses, pipeline building, SDG14-focused due diligence, active portfolio management, and impact-preserving exits. This is a private equity fund making equity investments in commercial businesses, not a grant program for non-profit organizations.

Historical Context

Ocean 14 Capital launched in November 2021 with initial backing from the European Investment Fund, Builders Vision, and Minderoo Foundation. Monaco's sovereign wealth fund contributed €10 million in September 2022. By February 2023, the fund had raised €130 million toward its €150 million target. The portfolio has grown from 4 companies at the time of the article to 15 companies as of the current website.

Sources

• https://tech.eu/2023/02/13/ocean-14-captures-eur150-million-for-new-impact-fund/
• https://ocean14capital.com/
• https://ocean14capital.com/impact/

Similar Programs

← Back to list