The seafood processing industry in Benelux plays a critical role in transforming raw catch into market-ready products, meeting the demands of consumers and restaurants alike. Key players range from large corporations to nimble startups, working on everything from traditional fish processing to innovative sustainable alternatives like plant-based and cell-cultured seafood. As trends shift toward healthier eating habits and heightened environmental awareness, companies are focusing on sustainability and efficiency. Enhanced technology and supply chain monitoring are set to redefine quality and safety standards while tapping into consumer preferences for responsible sourcing and freshness.


The list of investors showcases a mix of venture capital, corporate, and private equity firms operating in the seafood sector. Based in locations like Utrecht, Amsterdam, and Brussels, these firms range from small teams to large organizations, with diverse funding activities in 2024. Established between 1958 and 2019, they collectively engaged in numerous investments, targeting innovation and sustainable practices in seafood processing. Noteworthy transactions reflect both interest and commitment towards advancing the industry's future.


Top 13 Seafood Processing Investors in Benelux


1. Aqua-Spark

  • Website: aqua-spark.nl
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2013
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: aquaspark

Aqua-Spark is a holding company based in Utrecht, Netherlands, founded in 2013, that specializes in investing in innovative solutions for the aquaculture industry. With a focus on promoting sustainable practices and improving production efficiency, Aqua-Spark collaborates with a global community of investors to address environmental challenges through research and development. Notable transactions include leading a $12.6 million Series A funding round for Shiok Meats, which is focused on producing cell-based shrimp, and investing $2.5 million in Matorka, an Icelandic Arctic char producer, as part of a $5.5 million funding round aimed at expansion and construction of new facilities. Additionally, Aqua-Spark has invested in Wanda Fish Technologies, a FoodTech startup, indicating their commitment to advancing seafood processing technologies. These investments highlight Aqua-Spark's active role in the seafood processing sector.


2. European Innovation Council (EIC)


The European Innovation Council (EIC) is a public entity based in Brussels, Belgium, established to support innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe. Founded in 1958, the EIC offers various funding programs, including the EIC Accelerator and EIC Pathfinder, aimed at helping startups and SMEs develop and scale their technologies. The EIC provides business acceleration services, networking opportunities, and prizes to foster innovation in multiple sectors. Notably, the EIC has been involved in transactions relevant to the seafood processing industry, such as its investments in Alginor ASA, which raised significant funding for algal product development, and Blue Planet Ecosystems, which focuses on sustainable aquaculture solutions. These transactions highlight the EIC's commitment to supporting innovative solutions that can impact the seafood processing sector.


3. Nutreco

  • Website: nutreco.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: nutreco

Nutreco is a corporate investor based in Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands, specializing in animal nutrition with a focus on innovative feed solutions for both livestock and aquaculture. Founded in 1994, the company has a workforce of over 10,000 employees and is committed to sustainable practices to meet the growing global demand for food. Nutreco's involvement in the seafood processing context is highlighted by its acquisition of Skretting Nigeria, which aims to strengthen its commitment to the Nigerian aquaculture industry, and the acquisition of Shihai Co Ltd., a fish and shrimp feed company in China, enhancing its aquaculture feed business. Additionally, Nutreco's participation in funding rounds for companies like BlueNalu, which focuses on innovative seafood products, showcases their active role in the seafood sector.


4. Cvc

  • Website: cvc.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: cvc-capital-partners

CVC Capital Partners is a prominent investment firm founded in 2005, specializing in private equity, credit, secondaries, and infrastructure. With approximately €193 billion in assets under management for over 1000 clients, including pension funds and institutional investors, CVC focuses on delivering sustainable value and growth through strategic investments. Notably, CVC has a history of involvement in the seafood processing industry, having acquired Heiploeg Beheer in 1995, which is known for its operations in seafood processing. This acquisition highlights CVC's engagement in the seafood sector, alongside their other investments such as Kalle and Continental Foods Belgium SA, which, while not directly related to seafood, showcase their diverse investment strategy.


5. Azelis

  • Website: azelis.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 2001
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: azelis

Azelis is a specialty chemical distributor and innovation service provider founded in 2001, headquartered in Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium. With a workforce of 1001-5000 employees, Azelis serves over 63,000 customers across the life sciences and industrial sectors. They focus on delivering high-quality raw materials and innovative formulations tailored to specific market needs. In recent years, Azelis has expanded its portfolio through strategic acquisitions, including Tunçkaya, a Turkish distributor of food ingredients and additives, which enhances their position in the Turkish food market. Additionally, their acquisition of Gillco Ingredients, a specialty ingredient provider in the US food and nutrition market, further strengthens their presence in the food sector. These transactions highlight Azelis' commitment to the food industry, which encompasses seafood processing as part of their broader focus on food ingredients and nutrition.


6. PeakBridge


PeakBridge VC is a venture capital firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 2018, that specializes in FoodTech investments. The firm supports early-stage founders and businesses in the food industry by providing investment, consulting services, and access to a vast network of industry experts. Their focus is on innovative solutions that address significant challenges in the global food system, making them a key player in the FoodTech sector. Notably, PeakBridge participated in the seed funding round for Forsea Foods, an Israeli startup that is developing cultivated eel meat, which is in high demand for traditional dishes like kabayaki and sushi. This investment highlights their commitment to advancing sustainable seafood processing technologies. Additionally, they have been involved in other food tech investments, such as Vanilla Vida, further showcasing their active role in the food industry.


7. Louis Dreyfus Company

  • Website: ldc.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1851
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: louis-dreyfus-company

Louis Dreyfus Company B.V. is a for-profit agricultural merchant and processor based in Rotterdam, Netherlands, founded in 1851. The company operates across multiple sectors, including food processing, bioenergy, and transportation, supplying a wide range of agricultural products to the food and beverage industry. Notably, LDC has made significant investments in the seafood processing context, such as leading a $26.35 million funding round for Good Catch, a plant-based seafood brand, aimed at product development and market expansion. Additionally, LDC participated in a Series A funding round for Aquaconnect, a company focused on aquaculture technology, which raised $15 million. These transactions highlight LDC's strategic interest in the seafood sector, particularly in innovative and sustainable seafood solutions.


8. Prosus Group

  • Website: prosus.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2019
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 21
  • LinkedIn: prosus-group

Prosus Group is a global technology investor and operator based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2019. The firm focuses on enhancing everyday life through technology across various sectors, including online classifieds, food delivery, payments, and education technology. In the seafood processing context, Prosus has made significant investments in companies like Aruna, an Indonesia-based fisheries and marine platform that raised $35 million in a Series A investment round to expand its operations and improve its supply chain. Additionally, they invested in Captain Fresh, which raised substantial funding in multiple rounds, indicating a commitment to enhancing the seafood supply chain and processing capabilities. These transactions highlight Prosus's engagement in the seafood industry, showcasing their interest in fostering growth and innovation in this sector.


9. Xenon Private Equity

  • Website: xenonpe.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Strassen, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: xenon-private-equity

Xenon Private Equity is a private equity firm based in Strassen, Luxembourg, founded in 2009. The firm specializes in investment management and advisory services, focusing on partnering with small to medium-sized enterprises to enhance their growth and competitiveness through strategic investments and operational support. Their investment strategy emphasizes sustainable practices and responsible investing, particularly in sectors such as renewable energy and waste management. Notably, Xenon Private Equity has made significant strides in the seafood processing sector, having acquired PanaPesca, an Italy-based producer of refrigerated and frozen seafood, in January 2019. This acquisition highlights their commitment to the seafood industry, alongside their other investments in various sectors, including industrial tomato processing and technology. Their diverse portfolio reflects a strategic approach to enhancing operational capabilities across different industries while maintaining a focus on sustainability.


10. Triton Partners


Triton Partners is a private equity investment firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 1997. The firm specializes in private equity and credit investments in European mid-market businesses, focusing on sectors such as Business Services, Industrial Tech, and Healthcare. Triton partners with management teams to address challenges and drive growth. Notably, Triton has made significant strides in the seafood processing industry with their acquisition of Geia Food from Norwegian private equity firm Credo Partners in April 2021. This move highlights their commitment to investing in the seafood sector. Additionally, their diverse portfolio includes various acquisitions, such as Tetra and MacGregor, showcasing their operational expertise and ability to unlock potential in different industries, including seafood processing.


11. H2 Equity Partners

  • Website: h2ep.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1991
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn: h2-equity-partners

H2 Equity Partners is a private equity investment firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 1991. The firm specializes in private equity investments in mid-sized companies across various sectors, providing hands-on support and consulting services to help management teams achieve growth and operational improvements. Notably, H2 Equity Partners has made significant investments in the seafood processing industry, including the acquisition of Klaas Puul, a Dutch shrimp processor, in 2016. This acquisition aimed to enhance the company's growth and innovation within the seafood sector. Additionally, they acquired the Oerlemans Foods division from the Dutch food group Vion in 2014, further demonstrating their engagement in the food processing industry, which may include seafood-related products. Their diverse portfolio and focus on operational improvements position them as a relevant investor in the seafood processing space.


12. Rabo Ventures


Rabo Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Utrecht, Netherlands, founded in 2002. The firm specializes in providing equity capital to established and transformative companies, as well as top-tier funds, primarily in the Food & Agri and Sustainability sectors. Rabo Ventures aims to support major transitions that positively impact society and the environment through strategic partnerships and investment management. Notably, Rabo Ventures has been involved in significant transactions within the seafood processing industry, including investments in Kingfish Zeeland, which secured funding for its expansion in the EU and US markets, and The Kingfish Company, which raised over $14 million in post-IPO equity. These transactions highlight Rabo Ventures' commitment to supporting innovative seafood processing companies that focus on sustainable practices.


13. Gilde Buy Out Partners


Gilde Buy Out Partners is a private equity firm based in Utrecht, Netherlands, founded in 1982. The firm specializes in investment management and business transformation services, focusing on providing growth solutions to mid-market businesses across Europe. Notably, Gilde has been involved in significant transactions within the seafood processing sector, including the acquisition of Heiploeg Beheer, a company engaged in seafood processing, in February 2006. This acquisition highlights Gilde's capability and interest in the seafood industry. Additionally, they acquired CID Lines Group in 2010, a manufacturer of hygiene solutions for the agricultural and food processing sectors, which may also intersect with seafood processing needs. These transactions demonstrate Gilde's strategic approach to enhancing operations and market presence in relevant industries.



Seafood Processing Insights: Key Investors in Benelux


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Aqua-SparkUtrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands11-5020132
European Innovation Council (EIC)Brussels, Brussels, Belgium201-500195857
NutrecoAmersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands10001+19941
CvcLuxembourg1001-5000200516
AzelisAntwerp, Flanders, Belgium1001-500020015
PeakBridgeLuxembourg11-5020188
Louis Dreyfus CompanyRotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands10001+18515
Prosus GroupAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands10001+201921
Xenon Private EquityStrassen, Luxembourg, Luxembourg11-5020095
Triton PartnersLuxembourg201-50019976
H2 Equity PartnersAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-5019910
Rabo VenturesUtrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands1-1020024
Gilde Buy Out PartnersUtrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands11-5019820


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