The aquaculture industry in DACH focuses on sustainable seafood production. Companies cultivate fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants, employing innovative practices to minimize environmental impact. With a growing demand for seafood alternatives, players in this sector range from traditional fish farms to advanced biotech firms working on cultured seafood solutions. Recently, the industry is investing heavily in technology, driving improvements in aquaculture systems. Notably, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland showcase a blend of established firms and startups emerging to tackle sustainability challenges. The push for environmentally friendly aquaculture practices is not just a trend but a necessity for the future of food security.


The list showcases a variety of investors active in the DACH aquaculture sector. These investors range from corporate giants like BASF and Siemens to niche venture capital firms like Beyond Impact VC and Thia Ventures. Most of the firms are headquartered in Switzerland and Germany, illustrating a strong regional focus on sustainable food systems. Founded from 2001 to 2021, their investment sizes vary considerably, and many completed multiple deals in 2024, reflecting their robust involvement in the market. Together, these firms contribute significantly to the advancement of sustainable aquaculture solutions.


Top 13 Aquaculture 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 supports 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 transactions relevant to the aquaculture context, including investments in companies like Finless Foods, Ocean Hugger Foods, and Happy Ocean Foods, all of which focus on sustainable seafood alternatives. Most recently, they participated in a seed funding round for New School Foods, a plant-based seafood maker, which raised $12 million. This involvement highlights Blue Horizon's commitment to fostering impactful change in the sustainable food sector, including aquaculture.


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. Notably, Beyond Impact VC has participated in significant transactions within the aquaculture context, including investments in Shiok Meats, a cultured meat startup that raised $12.6 million in a Series A funding round to produce cell-based shrimp, and BlueNalu, which is developing cell-based seafood products. These investments reflect Beyond Impact VC's commitment to supporting innovative and compassionate business models that contribute to sustainable aquaculture practices.


3. Leaps by Bayer

  • Website: leaps.bayer.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: leapsbybayer

Leaps by Bayer is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2015. It specializes in biotechnology and agriculture, investing in early-stage companies that are pursuing scientific breakthroughs to tackle significant global challenges in health and food security. The firm provides funding and active incubation to support the development of innovative solutions in these sectors. Notable transactions include investments in companies like Amfora, which focuses on enhancing chickpea protein content, and NuCicer, which aims to scale production of high-protein chickpea varieties. These investments reflect Leaps by Bayer's commitment to advancing agricultural technologies that could have implications for food production systems, including aquaculture.


4. FoodLabs

  • Website: foodlabs.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2016
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 11
  • LinkedIn: atlantic-food-labs

FoodLabs is a venture capital firm and food technology incubator based in Berlin, founded in 2016. They focus on supporting innovative startups in the food tech sector, providing investment and consulting services to entrepreneurs. Their mission is to promote sustainable food solutions and address global challenges related to food security and health. Notably, FoodLabs has participated in funding rounds for companies like MicroHarvest, which is developing a single-cell protein production process, and Tupu, an AgTech company aiming to scale production capacity for food service and retail sectors. These transactions highlight FoodLabs' commitment to investing in sustainable food technologies that could intersect with aquaculture and alternative protein sources.


5. BASF Venture Capital

  • Website: basf.de
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
  • Founded year: 2001
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: basf

BASF Venture Capital, based in Ludwigshafen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, is a corporate investor founded in 2001. As a subsidiary of BASF, a leading chemical manufacturer, the firm invests in innovative companies across various industries, including agriculture, automotive, and construction. BASF Venture Capital emphasizes sustainability and innovation, aiming to enhance product performance while addressing environmental challenges. Among its notable transactions, BASF has invested in Sea6 Energy, which raised $9.5 million in Series B funding to develop sustainable seaweed cultivation, a practice closely related to aquaculture. Additionally, their investment in UrbanKisaan, which raised $6.4 million in Series A funding, supports urban farming initiatives that can complement aquaculture efforts. These investments reflect BASF's commitment to sustainable practices in food production and resource management.


6. responsAbility Investments AG


ResponsAbility Investments AG is an impact investment firm based in Zurich, Switzerland, specializing in managing investments in emerging markets. Founded in 2003, the firm focuses on financial inclusion, climate finance, and sustainable food production, providing investment solutions to both professional and retail investors. Notably, responsAbility has participated in significant transactions within the aquaculture sector, including a Series D funding round for eFishery, a company based in Indonesia that aims to expand its market presence in aquaculture. Additionally, they invested in Sahyadri Farms, which raised substantial funds to promote sustainable agricultural practices. These investments reflect responsAbility's commitment to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries, particularly in the sustainable food production space.


7. 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 that operate at the intersection of food, biotech, and health. Thia Ventures aims to support innovative startups that are transforming food systems and improving health outcomes. Their portfolio includes a diverse range of companies, such as Avant Meats, which focuses on cultivated meat, and Clever Carnivore, which is developing cultivated pork products. Additionally, they have invested in Chromologics, a biotech company producing natural food colorants, and Protealis, which specializes in sustainable plant proteins. These investments indicate Thia Ventures' commitment to supporting sustainable food technologies, including those relevant to aquaculture.


8. Quadia

  • Website: quadia.ch
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn: quadia-sa

Quadia SA is an impact investment firm based in Geneva, Switzerland, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in providing investment advisory services focused on sustainable finance, helping professional and institutional clients implement impact investing strategies that yield financial returns while promoting social and environmental benefits. Quadia operates through various investment funds, including the Regenero Impact Fund, and targets companies that contribute to a regenerative economy. Among their relevant transactions, Quadia invested in Poiscaille, which raised approximately $7.8 million in a venture round in October 2022, indicating their engagement in the aquaculture sector. Additionally, they have invested in Infarm, a company focused on urban farming, which, while not directly aquaculture, aligns with sustainable food production. Their investment in TerraCycle, a company focused on recycling and waste management, further demonstrates their commitment to sustainability, although it is not directly related to aquaculture.


9. Good Seed Ventures

  • Website: goodseedventures.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Rheine, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
  • Founded year: 2018
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: good-seed-ventures

Good Seed Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Rheine, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, founded in 2018. The firm specializes in sustainable food solutions, investing in startups and businesses that aim to minimize the environmental impact of food production. Their investment strategy includes providing financial support, strategic guidance, and fostering collaboration among industry players to drive innovation in the food sector. Notably, Good Seed Ventures has invested in Finless Foods, which raised $10 million in a Series A round in 2020, focusing on sustainable seafood alternatives. Additionally, they have supported Current Foods, which raised $3 million in a Seed Round in 2021, also emphasizing sustainable food production. These transactions highlight Good Seed Ventures' commitment to supporting innovative solutions in the food industry, including those relevant to aquaculture.


10. Siemens

  • Website: siemens.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
  • Founded year: 1847
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 11
  • LinkedIn: siemens

Siemens AG is a leading technology conglomerate based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, specializing in industrial automation, energy solutions, rail transport, and health technology. Founded in 1847, Siemens operates globally with approximately 320,000 employees and generates significant revenue. The company is known for providing innovative products and services that enhance efficiency and sustainability across various sectors. Notably, Siemens has made strategic investments in the aquaculture industry, including a Series A investment in Singapore Aquaculture Technologies, which raised $6.8 million on August 9, 2021. This investment highlights Siemens' interest in supporting advancements in aquaculture technology and sustainability. Additionally, Siemens acquired Bennex AS in 2011, further expanding its portfolio in related sectors. These transactions reflect Siemens' commitment to diversifying its investments and contributing to the growth of the aquaculture industry.


11. Possible Ventures

  • Website: possible.ventures
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
  • Founded year: 2021
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 9
  • LinkedIn: possible-vc

Possible Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 2021. The firm has a small team and has been active in various investment rounds, including notable transactions in the aquaculture context. One of their significant investments was in Provectus Algae, which raised $11.4 million in a seed round on December 14, 2021. This investment highlights Possible Ventures' engagement in the aquaculture industry, particularly in innovative sectors like algae production. Additionally, they have participated in other funding rounds, such as ULUU, a plastics replacement company, and Eden Brew, a precision fermentation company, showcasing their diverse investment strategy.


12. Delivery Hero Ventures

  • Website: dhventures.vc
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2021
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: dx-ventures

Delivery Hero Ventures is a corporate venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2021. It is backed by Delivery Hero, a global leader in the food delivery sector, and focuses on supporting startups in food delivery, e-commerce, and fintech. The firm aims to leverage its unique ecosystem to create value for its portfolio companies, helping them scale and achieve global ambitions. Notably, Delivery Hero Ventures has invested in Bluu Seafood, which raised EUR 16 million in a Series A funding round in June 2023, and previously participated in a seed round for the same company in May 2021. Bluu Seafood is dedicated to cultivating seafood species and has been recognized as a key player in the aquaculture sector, making Delivery Hero Ventures a relevant investor in this industry.


13. Nucleus Capital

  • Website: nucleus-capital.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2021
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: k16-ventures

Nucleus Capital is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2021. The firm invests in purpose-driven entrepreneurs who are focused on solving systemic challenges to planetary health. Nucleus Capital provides venture capital and support to startups in sectors such as Programmable Biology, Food Technology, and Green Industrials, primarily in Europe and the US. Notably, they have invested in Ordinary Seafood, a company that operates within the aquaculture industry, raising an undisclosed amount in a Pre-Seed round on May 30, 2022. This investment highlights their commitment to supporting sustainable practices in food production. Additionally, they have participated in funding rounds for Planet A Foods, which, while not directly related to aquaculture, demonstrates their interest in innovative food technologies that could intersect with sustainable practices in the food sector.



Aquaculture Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Blue HorizonZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-5020162
Beyond Impact VCMontreux, Vaud, Switzerland1-1020172
Leaps by BayerBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201516
FoodLabsBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201611
BASF Venture CapitalLudwigshafen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany10001+20013
responsAbility Investments AGZurich, Zurich, Switzerland201-50020039
Thia VenturesPlan-Les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland1-1020213
QuadiaGeneva, Geneva, Switzerland11-5020100
Good Seed VenturesRheine, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany1-1020181
SiemensMunich, Bavaria, Germany10001+184711
Possible VenturesMunich, Bavaria, Germany1-1020219
Delivery Hero VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany1-1020212
Nucleus CapitalBerlin, Berlin, Germany1-1020215


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