Maritime Decarbonization
Efficiency in maritime industries, offshore renewable energy, green shipping, electrification, ports.
Investing for the Ocean
Early-stage venture capital building the sustainable blue economy.
$2.5–3T
Annual ocean economy
7×
Ocean investment growth in 5 years
$175B
Annual funding gap
25–30%
of CO₂ absorbed by the ocean
Why oceans
One of the largest economic and innovation frontiers on Earth.
If the ocean economy were a country, it would rank among the largest in the world, generating an estimated $2.5 to 3 trillion annually, and growing 2.5× faster than the global economy since 1995. Ocean investing is becoming one of the most significant opportunities in sustainability.
The modern world runs on ocean infrastructure: ~90% of global trade moves by ship, ~99% of international data travels through subsea cables, and 3.3 billion people depend on seafood for protein. The ocean also captures 25–30% of annual carbon emissions, making it both a climate engine and a climate solution.
Ocean investment has grown 7× over the last five years, following a trajectory similar to biotech in the 2010s and emerging as its own stand-alone field. From offshore renewable energy and sustainable aquaculture to ocean data platforms and plastic alternatives, these are fast-growing markets attracting global capital, and we believe ocean investing will be one of the most important sustainability sectors of this decade.
What we invest in
Where the ocean meets the market.
Minerals and Chemicals
Alternative e-fuels, bio-chemicals, critical minerals from seawater/brine (without mining).
Circular Economy
Plastic reduction, alternative packaging, ocean-derived sustainable products.
Ocean Data
Big data/software focus, AI/ML, sensors, resource light, efficiencies for big ocean industries.
Aquaculture Tech
Sensors, data, sustainable feed, operational efficiencies, animal health, robotics.
Coastal Resilience
Flood intelligence, adaptation infra, parametric insurance.
Portfolio
A selection of the ocean innovation companies we back.
bound4blue
Series BWind-assisted propulsion systems for commercial vessels.
VerticalMaritime Decarbonization
HQSpain
StageSeries B
Sinay
Series AMaritime data platform for ports and shipping.
VerticalOcean Data
HQFrance
StageSeries A
Dispatch Goods
Series AReusable packaging logistics for restaurants and retail.
VerticalCircular Economy
HQUSA
StageSeries A
Carbon Ridge
SeedOnboard carbon capture for commercial shipping.
VerticalMaritime Decarbonization
HQUSA
StageSeed
Piersight
SeedSatellite radar for persistent maritime surveillance.
VerticalOcean Data
HQIndia
StageSeed
Novoloop
Series BUpcycling post-consumer plastic waste into performance materials.
VerticalCircular Economy
HQUSA
StageSeries B
Navier
Series AElectric hydrofoiling boats for clean maritime mobility.
VerticalMaritime Decarbonization
HQUSA
StageSeries A
Sway
SeedHome-compostable, seaweed-based packaging films.
VerticalCircular Economy
HQUSA
StageSeed
Hohonu
SeedCoastal water-level monitoring and flood intelligence.
VerticalOcean Data
HQUSA
StageSeed
The SOA Advantage
A venture fund born from a global ocean movement.
As the affiliated venture fund of the Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) and the Ecopreneur Network, our Seabird Ventures portfolio receives lifetime access to a startup support program with technical mentorship, investor relations, peer-to-peer networking, promotional events, and direct investments.
Working together our two organizations have co-invested in 45+ companies serving as one of the most active early stage ocean impact investors since 2018. Returns help advance SOA's non-profit mission.
Our model is built on a simple insight: Venture philanthropy can take the earliest risk. Venture capital can scale what works.
How the partnership works17
Portfolio companies
6
Investment verticals
20+
Countries represented
$3T
USD Ocean Economy Opportunity
Team
Ocean Experts
With 18+ years across ocean science, venture, and impact investing, Matt has accelerated 145 ocean startups, deployed $10M in XPRIZE grants, and co-founded the first climate VC fund in Latin America.
Climate tech investor with an ocean focus, Alicia has evaluated 600+ startups across two VC funds and led diligence on deals spanning maritime decarbonization, aquaculture, and circular economy.
A Kauffman Fellow with 20 years across impact investing and global development, Anne leads SOA's strategy and Seabird's investment committee.
Building in the ocean economy? Investing in it?
We'd like to hear from you, whether you're a founder seeking capital, interested in learning more about ocean investing, or a partner across the network.