The seafood distributors industry in Europe plays a crucial role in the supply chain, blending traditional fishing with innovative aquaculture practices. Companies range from large-scale importers to small-scale processors, offering fresh, frozen, and value-added seafood products. Sustainability is increasingly vital, shaping practices and consumer expectations as Europe pursues eco-friendly sourcing. With advancements in technological solutions, including alternative proteins and aquaculture efficiency, the industry is set to evolve. Future prospects lean towards increased transparency, heightened consumer demand for sustainable seafood, and enhanced traceability throughout the supply chain, ensuring quality products for increasingly health-conscious consumers.


The investors listed here represent a blend of venture capital, corporate entities, and private equity firms, headquartered across key European cities such as Utrecht, Oslo, and Paris. Ranging in size from small teams to large firms with thousands of employees, they have made notable contributions to the seafood distributors sector, engaging across various deal sizes. Founded from 1980 to 2017, these investors completed an impressive total of 14 deals in 2024 alone, demonstrating a growing interest in sustainable seafood production and technology-driven startups that align with industry needs and market trends.


Top 15 Seafood Distributors Investors in Europe


1. Katapult

  • Website: katapult.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Oslo, Oslo, Norway
  • Founded year: 2017
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: katapult-accelerator

Katapult is an impact investment firm based in Oslo, Norway, founded in 2017. They specialize in supporting tech startups that address global challenges, particularly in climate-tech and ocean-tech sectors. Katapult provides investment, accelerator programs, and mentorship to early-stage companies. Among their notable transactions, they have invested in Hooked Foods, a company that produces plant-based seafood alternatives, and Umami Bioworks, which focuses on cultivated seafood technology. These investments highlight Katapult's commitment to innovative solutions within the seafood industry, making them a relevant player in the seafood distributors space.


2. 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 venture capital holding company based in Utrecht, Netherlands, founded in 2013. The firm is dedicated to investing in innovative solutions for the aquaculture industry, focusing on sustainable practices and improving production efficiency. Aqua-Spark collaborates with a global community of investors to address environmental challenges in aquaculture through research and development. Notable transactions include leading a $2.5 million investment in Matorka, an Icelandic Arctic char producer, to support its expansion and construction of a new site. Additionally, Aqua-Spark led a $12.6 million Series A funding round for Shiok Meats, which is working on producing cell-based shrimp. Other investments include Love The Wild and Oceano Fresco, further emphasizing their commitment to the seafood sector. With a goal of raising $400 million by 2025, Aqua-Spark aims to make significant contributions to the aquaculture industry.


3. Hatch Blue


Hatch Blue is a venture capital firm and consulting accelerator based in Cork, Ireland, founded in 2017. They specialize in aquaculture and alternative seafood, providing investment, mentorship, and innovation programs to startups in these sectors. Their services include market studies, intellectual property strategies, and access to a global network of industry experts. Notable transactions include a pre-seed investment in The Plant Based Seafood Co, which focuses on plant-based seafood alternatives, and a seed investment in Finless Foods, a company dedicated to producing cell-cultured seafood. These investments highlight Hatch Blue's commitment to fostering sustainable innovations within the seafood industry.


4. Crowdcube

  • Website: crowdcube.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: crowdcube-limited

Crowdcube is a London-based crowdfunding platform founded in 2010 that enables businesses to raise capital through equity investments. It connects startups and SMEs with potential investors, facilitating the funding process. Crowdcube promotes diversity and inclusion within its workforce while providing investment management services to its clients. Notably, Crowdcube has been involved in several transactions relevant to the seafood industry, including Hooked Foods, a Swedish plant-based seafood brand that raised over $1 million in its latest funding round. This investment highlights Crowdcube's engagement in the seafood sector, alongside other transactions such as Smokin' Brothers and Waterhaul, which, while not directly related to seafood distribution, showcase their broad investment portfolio.


5. Bpifrance French Tech Accélération


Bpifrance French Tech Accélération is a public entity and financial institution based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 2015. It supports entrepreneurs and businesses in France and internationally by offering a range of services, including direct funding, export credit insurance, and private equity investments. Bpifrance aims to foster entrepreneurship and innovation through coaching and partnerships, helping businesses navigate growth and international expansion. Notably, Bpifrance has been involved in significant transactions within the seafood sector, such as its investment in Lisaqua, a European aquaculture start-up that raised €2.6 million to establish a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) facility in France. This investment highlights Bpifrance's commitment to supporting innovative seafood production initiatives. Additionally, Bpifrance has participated in funding rounds for Umiami, a foodtech company, which, while not directly a seafood distributor, indicates its broader interest in the food industry, including sectors that may intersect with seafood distribution.


6. 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, based in Luxembourg, 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 made significant acquisitions in the seafood distribution sector, including Heiploeg Beheer in 1995, a company recognized for its seafood products, and Rungis in 1997, which also operates within the food distribution space. These transactions highlight CVC's engagement in the seafood industry, alongside their broader investment portfolio, which includes various sectors such as food and consumer goods.


7. 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 corporate investor based in Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium, specializing in the distribution of specialty chemicals and providing innovation services. Founded in 2001, Azelis serves over 63,000 customers across various sectors, including life sciences and industrial markets. In 2022, Azelis acquired Tunçkaya, a Turkish distributor of food ingredients and additives, enhancing its position in the Turkish food market, which includes seafood. In 2024, they announced the acquisition of Hortimex, a Polish specialty chemicals distributor focused on food ingredients and nutraceuticals, further solidifying their presence in the food sector. These strategic acquisitions demonstrate Azelis's commitment to expanding its footprint in the food distribution market, including seafood-related products.


8. CPT Capital

  • Website: cptcap.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2017
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: cpt-capital

CPT Capital is a venture capital firm based in London, England, founded in 2017. The firm specializes in investments in the alternative protein sector, focusing on innovative startups that aim to revolutionize food and materials technology by replacing animal-derived products with sustainable solutions. Notably, CPT Capital has invested in several seafood-related companies, including BlueNalu, which raised $60 million in a convertible note in January 2021, and Bluu Biosciences, which closed a €7 million seed funding round in March 2021 for its biotechnology R&D in cell-cultured fish. Additionally, they participated in the Series B funding round for Good Catch, a producer of plant-based seafood products, which raised $32 million in January 2020. These transactions highlight CPT Capital's commitment to supporting sustainable seafood innovations.


9. 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 seafood industry, including investments in Ocean Hugger Foods, Happy Ocean Foods, Gathered Foods, Finless Foods, and most recently, New School Foods, which focuses on plant-based seafood. These investments reflect Blue Horizon's commitment to fostering impactful change in the seafood sector through sustainable and innovative approaches.


10. Beyond Impact VC


Beyond Impact VC is a venture capital firm based in Montreux, Vaud, Switzerland, founded in 2017. The firm specializes in investing 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 been involved in significant transactions within the seafood sector, including investments in BlueNalu, which is pioneering cell-based seafood products, and Shiok Meats, a startup focused on cultured shrimp. These investments reflect Beyond Impact VC's commitment to supporting innovative and compassionate business models that align with their mission of sustainability.


11. Enterprise Ireland


Enterprise Ireland is a public entity that serves as the Irish government's enterprise development agency, founded in 1998. It supports Irish businesses at all stages of their growth journey by providing funding, advisory services, and market access assistance. The agency focuses on helping companies scale and compete internationally across various industries, including technology and manufacturing. Notably, Enterprise Ireland has been involved in transactions relevant to the seafood sector, such as supporting Pure Ocean Algae, an Irish seaweed biotech company that raised €1.5 million in seed funding to expand its operations in seaweed production. Additionally, they have provided grants to companies like Cavanagh Nets, which is involved in the fishing industry, indicating their engagement with seafood distributors and related businesses.


12. Orkla ASA

  • Website: orkla.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Oslo, Oslo, Norway
  • Founded year: 2017
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: orkla-asa

Orkla ASA is a leading industrial investment company based in Oslo, Norway, founded in 2017. The company operates across various sectors, including branded consumer goods, aluminium solutions, and financial investments. Orkla offers a diverse range of products, including food, snacks, health, and personal care items. Notably, Orkla has made strategic acquisitions to strengthen its position in the food industry. Among these, the acquisition of Vesterålen Marine Olje AS highlights their commitment to the seafood sector, as this company specializes in producing residual raw materials from white fish, which supports Orkla's health and sustainability initiatives. Additionally, their acquisition of Fort Deli, a foodservice company, further emphasizes their focus on the foodservice market, which often includes seafood offerings. Overall, Orkla's investments reflect a strong alignment with the seafood distribution industry.


13. Unigrains

  • Website: unigrains.fr
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 1963
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: unigrains

Unigrains is a private equity investment firm based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 1963. The firm specializes in the agro-food and agro-industry sectors, providing financial and strategic support to businesses to help them adapt to market changes and foster growth. With over 60 years of experience, Unigrains has supported more than 1,000 companies, managing significant assets to promote sustainability in agriculture and food production. Notable transactions include investments in companies like Weishardt, which raised $136 million, and Groupe Sica Atlantique, which raised approximately $44 million. While these transactions do not specifically highlight seafood distributors, Unigrains' focus on the broader agro-food sector positions them as a potential investor in seafood distribution companies.


14. IDIA Capital Investissement


IDIA Capital Investissement is a private equity investment management firm based in Montrouge, Île-De-France, France, founded in 1980. The firm specializes in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-sized companies (ETIs) in their growth, offering investment management services and strategic guidance. IDIA focuses on various sectors, including agro-food, energy transition, and viticulture. Notably, they have invested in Poiscaille, which raised approximately $7.8 million in a venture round in October 2022, indicating their engagement in the seafood distribution industry. Other investments include companies like Olives & Co and Comtesse Du Barry, which, while not directly related to seafood, showcase their broader interest in the food sector. Their investment strategy emphasizes sustainable growth and navigating investment complexities, making them a significant player in the investment landscape.


15. 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, founded in 1994. The company specializes in animal nutrition, focusing on innovative feed solutions for both livestock and aquaculture. With a workforce of over 10,000 employees, Nutreco is dedicated to sustainable practices that meet the growing global demand for food. Notably, Nutreco has made strategic acquisitions in the aquaculture sector, including the complete acquisition of Skretting Nigeria, which aims to strengthen their presence in the Nigerian aquaculture industry. Additionally, Nutreco acquired Shihai Co Ltd., a fish and shrimp feed company in China, for approximately EUR 40 million, further enhancing their aquaculture feed business. These transactions highlight Nutreco's active role in the seafood distribution industry, particularly through their focus on aquaculture feeds.



Seafood Distributors Insights: Key Investors in Europe


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
KatapultOslo, Oslo, Norway11-5020178
Aqua-SparkUtrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands11-5020132
Hatch BlueCork, Cork, Ireland11-5020172
CrowdcubeLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-20020103
Bpifrance French Tech AccélérationParis, Île-De-France, France1-102015198
CvcLuxembourg1001-5000200516
AzelisAntwerp, Flanders, Belgium1001-500020015
CPT CapitalLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)1-1020171
Blue HorizonZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-5020162
Beyond Impact VCMontreux, Vaud, Switzerland1-1020172
Enterprise IrelandDublin, Dublin, Ireland501-1000199848
Orkla ASAOslo, Oslo, Norway10001+20171
UnigrainsParis, Île-De-France, France51-20019634
IDIA Capital InvestissementMontrouge, Île-De-France, France11-5019801
NutrecoAmersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands10001+19941


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