The aquarium fish food industry in the US is focused on providing nutrition for aquatic pets, catering to both hobbyists and professional aquarists. Companies range from large corporations producing bulk feeds to innovative startups crafting specialized diets for various fish species. This industry is expected to grow as more people embrace aquarium keeping, driven by trends favoring sustainable and health-conscious alternatives. Aquatic nutrition formulations are increasingly incorporating plant-based proteins and eco-friendly ingredients. To enhance fish health and bolster sustainability, many firms are investing in research and development, paving the way for a vibrant future in aquarium fish nourishment.

A spectrum of investors is shaping the aquarium fish food sector in the US. The list features major players, including both venture capitalists and corporate investors, varying in size from small firms to large companies. Founded between 1902 and 2023, these investors have engaged in numerous deals, with many experiencing significant growth. In 2024 alone, they participated in deals ranging from venture rounds to strategic investments, showcasing robust involvement in this niche market. Their diverse strategies reflect a keen interest in sustainable practices and forward-thinking innovations that bolster aquarium fish food production.

Top 12 Aquarium Fish Food Investors in the US

1. Sosv

• Website: sosv.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: United States (USA)
• Founded year: 1995
• Headcount: 51-200
• Number of deals in 2024: 170
• LinkedIn: sosv

SOSV is a venture capital firm founded in 1995, based in the United States, that specializes in funding and supporting deep tech startups through its development programs. With a focus on sectors like health and climate technology, SOSV operates globally to connect innovative companies with investors. Notably, SOSV has been involved in several transactions relevant to the seafood industry, including multiple funding rounds for Finless Foods, which is developing plant-based seafood products. In 2022, Finless Foods raised $34M in Series B funding, with SOSV as one of the investors, highlighting its commitment to sustainable food solutions that could intersect with the aquarium fish food market.

2. Big Idea Ventures

• Website: bigideaventures.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
• Founded year: 2018
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 10
• LinkedIn: bigideaventures

Big Idea Ventures is a venture capital fund and startup accelerator based in New York, founded in 2018. The firm specializes in food innovation, investing in startups that are developing alternative proteins and sustainable food solutions. They operate accelerator programs that provide resources and mentorship to help startups scale their operations. Notably, Big Idea Ventures has participated in funding rounds for companies like Aqua Cultured Foods, which focuses on creating ultra-realistic seafood alternatives, and Hooked Foods, a plant-based seafood brand. These investments highlight their commitment to supporting innovations that could potentially serve the aquarium fish food market, making them a significant player in the food technology sector.

3. 500 Global

• Website: 500.co
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
• Founded year: 2010
• Headcount: 201-500
• Number of deals in 2024: 98
• LinkedIn: 500-startups

500 Global is a venture capital firm and startup accelerator based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage technology companies, providing funding, mentorship, and resources to help founders scale their businesses. In recent years, 500 Global has been involved in several transactions relevant to the aquarium fish food industry, including a notable investment in eFishery, which raised $4 million in a Series A round in 2018, focusing on aquaculture solutions. Additionally, they invested in Notti Pet Food, which raised $507,185 in a Seed Round in 2024, indicating their interest in the pet food sector, which includes aquarium fish food. These investments highlight 500 Global's commitment to supporting innovative startups in the aquaculture and pet food markets.

4. Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund)

• Website: av.vc
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA)
• Founded year: 2023
• Headcount: 51-200
• Number of deals in 2024: 258
• LinkedIn: deep-tech-fund-av-focused-fund

The Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund) is a venture capital firm based in Manchester, New Hampshire, founded in 2023. It provides accredited investors and institutions with access to professionally-managed, diversified venture portfolios. With a network of over 10,000 investors, the firm focuses on connecting them with high-quality investment opportunities in the startup ecosystem. Notable transactions include their investment in Aquabyte, which raised $299,999 in a Series A round, focusing on technology for aquaculture. Additionally, their involvement in Plantish, an alternative seafood startup, highlights their interest in innovative food solutions that could intersect with the aquarium fish food market. Their diverse portfolio and active investment strategy suggest a commitment to sectors that may include aquarium fish food-related opportunities.

5. Adm

• Website: adm.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States (USA)
• Founded year: 1902
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 2
• LinkedIn: adm

The Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM), founded in 1902 and based in Chicago, Illinois, is a leading food processing and commodities trading corporation. With a workforce of over 10,000 employees, ADM specializes in human, pet, and animal nutrition, providing a wide range of ingredients and solutions to food and beverage manufacturers, animal feed producers, and pet food companies. The company emphasizes sustainability and innovation in nutrition. Notably, ADM has made strategic investments in the pet food sector, including a $17.5 million investment in Bond Pet Foods, which focuses on expanding its meat protein portfolio. Additionally, ADM's acquisition of NutraDine and PT Trouw Nutrition Indonesia enhances its capabilities in animal nutrition, potentially including products relevant to aquarium fish food. These transactions reflect ADM's commitment to advancing nutrition solutions across various animal categories, including pets and potentially aquarium fish.

6. L Catterton

• Website: lcatterton.com
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: United States (USA)
• Founded year: 1989
• Headcount: 201-500
• Number of deals in 2024: 23
• LinkedIn: l-catterton

L Catterton is a private equity firm founded in 1989, specializing in investment management with a focus on consumer brands across various sectors. The firm partners with middle market companies and high-growth enterprises, providing capital and strategic guidance to enhance brand equity and market presence. With a strong emphasis on consumer insights, L Catterton aims to drive growth and innovation within its portfolio companies. Notably, L Catterton has made significant investments in the pet food industry, including a $60 million minority stake in Drools, a pet-food company, and leading a $6.3 million Seed funding round for Yummers, a pet lifestyle brand. Additionally, they have invested in 'I and love and you', a premium pet food brand, further demonstrating their commitment to the pet food sector, which encompasses a variety of animal diets, potentially including aquarium fish food.

7. Unovis Asset Management

• Website: unovis.vc
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
• Founded year: 2016
• Headcount: 1-10
• Number of deals in 2024: 2
• LinkedIn: unovisvc

Unovis Asset Management is a venture capital firm based in New York, founded in 2016. The firm is dedicated to transforming the global food system through sustainable practices, primarily by investing in startups that innovate in plant-based foods and alternative proteins. Notable transactions include investments in Plantish, an alternative seafood startup that raised $12.45 million to replicate the taste and texture of fish, and Good Catch, a plant-based seafood brand that has raised over $70 million to expand its product offerings. These investments reflect Unovis's commitment to addressing climate change and promoting animal welfare within the food industry, particularly in the seafood sector.

8. Cargill

• Website: cargill.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Wayzata, Minnesota, United States (USA)
• Founded year: 1865
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 7
• LinkedIn: cargill

Cargill, Incorporated is a global food production and agricultural solutions company founded in 1865 and headquartered in Wayzata, Minnesota. With over 10,000 employees, Cargill provides a wide range of products and services, including animal nutrition, food ingredients, and risk management. They are dedicated to enhancing food security and sustainability through innovative practices. Notably, Cargill has made significant investments in the aquarium fish food context, including the acquisition of EWOS, a leading salmon feed company, for EUR 1.35 billion. This acquisition included multiple feed manufacturing facilities and R&D centers, emphasizing their commitment to the fish feed market. Additionally, Cargill has participated in funding rounds for companies like Calysta, which focuses on sustainable fish and livestock feed, and Innovafeed, which specializes in insect protein for animal feed. These transactions illustrate Cargill's active role in the aquarium fish food industry and its dedication to sustainable and innovative feeding solutions.

9. CircleUp

• Website: circleup.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
• Founded year: 2012
• Headcount: 51-200
• LinkedIn: circleup

CircleUp is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2012. The firm specializes in empowering consumer brands through funding and support, primarily in the consumer packaged goods sector. They leverage their Helio technology platform to provide data insights that help entrepreneurs make informed decisions. CircleUp has been involved in several notable transactions in the pet food industry, including investments in Protein for Pets, which raised $2,459,200 in a venture round in June 2015, and Whole Life Pet Products, which secured funding in a seed round in November 2014. Additionally, they participated in funding rounds for Nom Nom, a company that provides fresh, custom-portioned meals for pets, including a $10 million Series A round in May 2018. These transactions highlight CircleUp's active role in the pet food market, which may extend to aquarium fish food in the future.

10. Stray Dog Capital

• Website: straydogcapital.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Leawood, Kansas, United States (USA)
• Founded year: 2015
• Headcount: 1-10
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn: stray-dog-capital

Stray Dog Capital is a venture capital firm based in Leawood, Kansas, founded in 2015. The firm specializes in investing in innovative early-stage companies within the food, beverage, and biotechnology sectors, with a strong emphasis on supporting entrepreneurs dedicated to creating healthier, humane, and sustainable products. Notably, Stray Dog Capital has led significant funding rounds for companies like Aqua Cultured Foods, which focuses on ultra-realistic seafood alternatives, and Gathered Foods, known for its Good Catch plant-based seafood products. These investments reflect the firm's commitment to fostering social impact and commercial success in the food industry, particularly in sustainable seafood alternatives, which could be relevant to the aquarium fish food market.

11. Plug and Play Tech Center

• Website: plugandplaytechcenter.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Sunnyvale, California, United States (USA)
• Founded year: 2006
• Headcount: 501-1000
• Number of deals in 2024: 253
• LinkedIn: plug-and-play-tech-center

Plug and Play Tech Center is an innovation hub and venture capital firm based in Sunnyvale, California, founded in 2006. They connect startups with corporations to foster growth and innovation, offering various programs including accelerator initiatives and investment opportunities primarily in the technology sector. In recent years, they have expanded their investment portfolio to include food tech companies. Notable transactions include their participation in the funding rounds for UMAMI Bioworks, which focuses on cultivated seafood, and Bond Pet Foods, which is developing innovative pet food products. These investments highlight their interest in the food industry, which could encompass aquarium fish food as part of their broader strategy to support sustainable and innovative food solutions.

12. AgFunder

• Website: agfunder.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
• Founded year: 2013
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 20
• LinkedIn: agfunder

AgFunder is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2013. The firm specializes in foodtech and agtech investments, providing funding and consulting services to startups in the food and agriculture sectors. AgFunder is known for its active role in the agri-food technology landscape, publishing industry news and research to enhance the knowledge base of the sector. Notably, AgFunder has participated in several relevant transactions in the aquaculture space, including a $2.8 million seed round for Wittaya Aqua, which focuses on aquaculture solutions, and a pre-Series A round for Tepbac, a shrimp farming platform. These investments highlight AgFunder's commitment to supporting innovations that can impact the aquarium fish food industry.

Aquarium Fish Food Insights: Key Investors in the US

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