The aquarium fish food industry in the DACH region includes companies that produce various kinds of specialized feed for both ornamental and aquatic species. These businesses range from small artisanal producers to larger manufacturers, each offering tailored nutrition solutions designed for fish health and growth. An increasing trend towards sustainability and nutrition-focused products is shaping the market, resulting in innovations such as plant-based and eco-friendly feeds. Notably, consumers are increasingly demanding products that are environmentally responsible, pushing industry players to adapt their offerings accordingly. As awareness grows, so does the investment activity in this sector.


The investors on this list span venture capital firms and corporate entities, all headquartered across significant cities in DACH, including Zurich, Berlin, and Munich. Established between 1927 and 2021, these investors range in size from small teams to large organizations with over 10,000 employees. In 2024, their collective investments indicate a keen interest in at least 20 deals across various sectors related to fish food and sustainability. This unique blend of investors showcases a strong commitment to support innovative companies aiming to impact the aquarium fish food industry.


Top 10 Aquarium Fish Food Investors in DACH


1. Blue Horizon

  • Website: bluehorizon.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2016
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: bluehorizoncorp

Blue Horizon is a Zurich-based venture capital firm founded in 2016, dedicated to investing in sustainable food systems. The firm aims to support mission-aligned founders in the bioeconomy by providing funding and resources to scale innovative solutions, particularly in alternative proteins and sustainable practices. Notably, Blue Horizon has been involved in several relevant transactions in the seafood alternative space, including investments in Happy Ocean Foods, which focuses on sustainable seafood alternatives, and New School Foods, a plant-based seafood maker that raised $12 million in a seed funding round. These investments highlight Blue Horizon's commitment to supporting sustainable practices within the food industry, including areas that intersect with aquarium fish food.


2. Beyond Impact VC


Beyond Impact VC is a venture capital firm based in Montreux, Vaud, Switzerland, founded in 2017. The firm specializes in sustainable and animal-free products and services, focusing on early-stage companies that promote vegan lifestyles and technologies that replace animal-derived products. Their investment portfolio includes notable transactions such as BlueNalu, which raised $20 million in a Series A round to develop cell-based seafood products, and Ocean Hugger Foods, which is also involved in creating plant-based seafood alternatives. These investments reflect Beyond Impact VC's commitment to supporting innovative and compassionate business models that align with their mission of sustainability.


3. Thia Ventures

  • Website: thiaventures.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Plan-Les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2021
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: thia-ventures

Thia Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Plan-Les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland, founded in 2021. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage companies at the intersection of food, biotech, and health. They provide funding and support to innovative startups aiming to transform food systems and improve health outcomes. Their portfolio includes a diverse range of companies, such as Bond Pet Foods, which raised $17.5 million in a Series A funding round to expand its meat protein portfolio for pets. This investment highlights Thia Ventures' interest in alternative protein sources, which can be relevant to the aquarium fish food market. Other notable investments include Avant Meats, a cultivated meat startup, and Chromologics, a biotech company focused on natural food colorants, showcasing their commitment to innovative food solutions.


4. Green Generation Fund


Green Generation Fund is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2021. The firm specializes in early-stage investments in Food Tech and Green Tech startups, aiming to drive significant positive impacts in sustainability by supporting innovative solutions that address climate change and resource challenges. Among their notable transactions, they led a €3.5 million Series A funding round for VEGDOG, a Munich-based PetTech startup that focuses on creating sustainable, plant-based pet food. This investment highlights their interest in the pet food sector, which is relevant to the aquarium fish food industry. Additionally, they have participated in funding rounds for other food-related startups, indicating a broader commitment to sustainable food solutions.


5. PENNY International (REWE Group)


PENNY International (REWE Group) is a corporate investor based in Neunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, founded in 1927. The company operates a variety of supermarket chains and discount stores, focusing on providing convenience and quality to consumers. Notably, REWE Group acquired ZooRoyal on March 14, 2014, which is a significant player in the pet supply market, including aquarium fish food. This acquisition highlights REWE Group's interest in the pet industry. In addition to this, they have been involved in other transactions such as the Series B funding for Formo, which, while not directly related to aquarium fish food, indicates their active investment strategy. Overall, REWE Group's involvement with ZooRoyal positions them as a relevant investor in the aquarium fish food sector.


6. Be8 Ventures

  • Website: be8.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2020
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • LinkedIn: be8-ventures

Be8 Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2020. The firm specializes in investing in innovative food companies that are shaping the future of the food ecosystem. They provide financial support and industry expertise to help startups grow. Notably, Be8 Ventures participated in a seed funding round for Bluu Biosciences, which is dedicated to cultivating seafood species through biotechnology, raising €7 million in 2021. This investment highlights their interest in the seafood sector, which is relevant to the aquarium fish food industry. Additionally, they have been involved in other food-related startups, such as New Culture and Michroma, further showcasing their commitment to innovative food solutions.


7. Econa Ag

  • Website: econa.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 1999
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • LinkedIn: econa-ag

Econa AG is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 1999. The firm specializes in providing investment and consulting services to startups across various industries, including pet care, healthcare, and food technology. Notably, Econa has invested in Pets Deli, a Berlin-based startup focused on pet food, which aligns with the aquarium fish food sector. They also participated in funding rounds for other food-related companies, such as Foodspring, which, while not directly related to aquarium fish food, demonstrates their interest in the food industry. Their portfolio reflects a commitment to supporting ambitious founders with capital and expertise, particularly in sectors that may overlap with pet care and food technology.


8. Mountain Partners


Mountain Partners is a venture capital firm based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 2005. The firm specializes in investment management and focuses on providing funding and operational support to startups and technology companies across Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Mountain Partners manages a diversified portfolio of VC funds aimed at empowering innovative businesses and facilitating their growth. Notably, they have invested in Alphapet Ventures, a pet food company based in Munich, which raised €13 million in funding in 2017, as well as earlier rounds in 2014 and 2013. This involvement in the pet food sector highlights their interest in related markets, including aquarium fish food, making them a relevant player in this space.


9. Project A

  • Website: project-a.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2012
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 13
  • LinkedIn: project-a-ventures

Project A is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2012. They specialize in early-stage tech investments and provide operational support for startups. Their investment strategy includes consulting in tech and growth, access to a network of investors, and pre-seed investment opportunities. Notably, Project A has participated in funding rounds for Pets Deli, a Berlin-based startup focused on pet food, which raised significant amounts for international expansion. This involvement suggests an interest in the pet food market, which could extend to aquarium fish food. Additionally, they have invested in other food-related startups like Yababa and nu3, indicating a broader interest in the food sector. However, their primary focus remains on tech and growth, which may limit their direct engagement with the aquarium fish food industry.


10. Venture Stars GmbH


Venture Stars GmbH is a venture capital firm based in Munich, Germany, founded in 2011. The firm specializes in early-stage investments in innovative digital B2C and B2B business models, providing capital and strategic guidance to startup founders. With a small team of 1-10 members, they leverage their entrepreneurial experience to help companies grow in competitive markets. Notably, Venture Stars has been involved in several transactions relevant to the pet food industry, including investments in AlphaPet Ventures, which raised €13 million in funding in 2017, and has previously raised funds in 2014. Additionally, they have invested in Hundeland.de, a company that has raised multiple rounds of funding since 2012. These transactions highlight their active role in the pet food sector, which encompasses aquarium fish food as part of the broader market.



Aquarium Fish Food Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Blue HorizonZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-5020162
Beyond Impact VCMontreux, Vaud, Switzerland1-1020172
Thia VenturesPlan-Les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland1-1020213
Green Generation FundBerlin, Berlin, Germany1-1020218
PENNY International (REWE Group)Neunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany10001+19273
Be8 VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany1-1020200
Econa AgBerlin, Berlin, Germany1-1019990
Mountain PartnersZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-5020051
Project ABerlin, Berlin, Germany51-200201213
Venture Stars GmbHMunich, Bavaria, Germany1-1020115


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