The coastal engineering industry in the US focuses on safeguarding coastal regions from erosion, flood risks, and climate change. It incorporates a variety of organizations, including engineering firms, research institutions, and environmental consultancies, which provide services ranging from infrastructure design to environmental assessments. As climate resilience becomes increasingly critical, the industry's evolution includes innovative approaches like nature-based solutions and advanced monitoring technologies. A growing emphasis on sustainable development shows promise for future investments, positioning coastal engineering as a key player in addressing pressing challenges faced by coastal communities across the nation.


The investors highlighted in this list represent a mix of corporate giants, venture capital, and private equity firms, all eager to capitalize on coastal engineering opportunities. Ranging from established entities like the U.S. Department of Energy, founded in 1977, to emerging players like Liquid 2 Ventures from 2015, these organizations vary in size and influence. They collectively executed numerous investments in 2024, with the total deal count soaring above 1,000, reflecting growing interest in environmental solutions. With headquarters spread across major US cities from Washington, D.C., to San Francisco, their investment strategies showcase a commitment to innovation in this vital sector.


Top 16 Coastal Engineering Investors in the US


1. U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

  • Website: energy.gov
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Washington, D.C., District Of Columbia, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1977
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 597
  • LinkedIn: u-s--department-of-energy

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is a public entity established in 1977, responsible for overseeing national energy policy, energy production, and nuclear power research. With a workforce of over 10,000, the DOE serves various stakeholders, including government entities and the public, by providing guidance on energy efficiency, funding opportunities, and conducting research to address energy challenges. In recent years, the DOE has been actively involved in funding projects that intersect with coastal engineering, particularly in the realm of marine energy. Notable transactions include grants to CalWave Inc., which raised significant funds for developing wave energy technologies, and Resolute Marine Energy, which focuses on harnessing ocean energy. These investments highlight the DOE's role in supporting innovative solutions that can enhance energy production in coastal areas, thereby linking its activities to the coastal engineering sector.


2. Government of Canada

  • Website: canada.ca
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Canada, Kentucky, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1999
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 137
  • LinkedIn: government-of-canada

The Government of Canada is a public entity that provides a wide range of services and information to Canadian citizens and residents, addressing various needs including employment, immigration, health care, and taxation. Founded in 1999, it operates through multiple departments and agencies to ensure access to essential services and support for individuals and businesses across the country. In recent years, the Government of Canada has been involved in several transactions relevant to coastal engineering, such as the Waterfront Toronto project, which raised $677,007,170 in grants aimed at revitalizing urban waterfronts. Additionally, it has supported the Cheslatta Carrier Nation and Open Ocean Robotics through grants, with the latter receiving $2,023,278 in a venture round and $592,571 in grants, indicating a focus on innovative solutions that may benefit coastal management and engineering.


3. Nv5

  • Website: nv5.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Hollywood, Florida, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1947
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 10
  • LinkedIn: nv5

NV5 is a consulting and engineering company based in Hollywood, Florida, founded in 1947. The firm provides technology, conformity assessment, and consulting solutions for infrastructure, utility, and building systems, serving both public and private sector clients. With over 100 offices, NV5 offers a diverse range of services, including environmental consulting, geospatial solutions, and construction quality assurance. Notably, NV5 has made strategic acquisitions to enhance its capabilities in relevant areas. For instance, the acquisition of Bromley Cook Engineering in January 2023 bolstered their forensics engineering and storm hardening services in Florida, which are critical for coastal resilience. Additionally, their acquisition of Causseaux Hewett & Walpole in January 2024 aims to expand their engineering capabilities in Florida, further supporting coastal engineering initiatives. These transactions demonstrate NV5's commitment to enhancing their service offerings in areas that intersect with coastal engineering, making them a significant player in this field.


4. Sustainable Ocean Alliance


Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2014, based in San Francisco, California. It is dedicated to promoting ocean health and sustainability by activating young leaders and providing resources such as grants and mentorship. SOA engages globally with youth and communities to foster environmental conservation and sustainable practices. Among its notable transactions, SOA has invested in companies like ARC Marine, which focuses on creating environmental solutions for coastal areas, and Seawater Solutions, which aims to address water scarcity and quality issues. These investments reflect SOA's commitment to supporting innovative approaches that can enhance coastal engineering and sustainability efforts.


5. Y Combinator

  • Website: ycombinator.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 802
  • LinkedIn: y-combinator

Y Combinator is a prominent startup accelerator and venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2005. It provides funding and mentorship to early-stage technology companies through a structured program that includes resources like the Startup School and co-founder matching services. With over 4,000 startups launched, Y Combinator has established itself as a key player in the technology startup ecosystem. Among its diverse portfolio, Y Combinator has made notable investments in companies relevant to coastal engineering, such as Boundary Layer Technologies, which raised $2.3 million in a seed round in March 2019, and Seabound, which raised $20,000 in a pre-seed round in February 2022. These transactions highlight Y Combinator's engagement with innovative solutions that could impact coastal engineering, despite its broader focus on technology.


6. Kkr

  • Website: kkr.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1976
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 74
  • LinkedIn: kkr

KKR & Co. Inc. is a prominent investment firm based in New York, specializing in private equity, credit, infrastructure, and real estate. Founded in 1976, KKR provides asset management solutions to institutional investors and individual clients, helping them navigate complex investment landscapes. The firm operates globally, leveraging its extensive expertise to support clients' investment needs. Notably, KKR has made significant investments in companies that could relate to coastal engineering, such as Resource Environmental Solutions, which focuses on environmental initiatives, and GeoStabilization International, a provider of geotechnical maintenance services. These investments are part of KKR's broader strategy to support eco-innovation and eco-efficiency through its Green Solutions Platform. However, KKR also has a diverse portfolio that includes sectors like oil and gas, which may not directly pertain to coastal engineering.


7. Bowman Consulting

  • Website: bowman.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Reston, Virginia, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1995
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: bowman-consulting

Bowman Consulting Group Ltd. is an engineering and consulting firm founded in 1995, based in Reston, Virginia. The firm specializes in a wide range of services, including civil/site engineering, transportation engineering, and environmental consulting. They cater to both government agencies and private sector companies, ensuring compliance and efficiency in infrastructure projects. In 2022 and 2023, Bowman made several strategic acquisitions to enhance their service offerings, including the acquisition of Fabre Engineering, a firm based in Pensacola, Florida, which could potentially align with coastal engineering projects. Other acquisitions, such as Trudell Consulting Engineers and Project Design Consultants, further expand their capabilities in civil engineering and related fields, positioning Bowman as a versatile player in the engineering sector.


8. Tetra Tech

  • Website: tetratech.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Pasadena, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1966
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: tetra-tech

Tetra Tech, Inc. is a leading consulting and engineering firm based in Pasadena, California, specializing in water management, environmental services, and sustainable infrastructure solutions. Founded in 1966, Tetra Tech serves both government and commercial clients, leveraging advanced technologies and local knowledge to tackle complex challenges in resource management and compliance. The firm has made several strategic acquisitions to enhance its capabilities, including the acquisition of Coffey International, Australia's first geotechnical engineering firm, which strengthens its international development business and expertise in geotechnical services relevant to coastal engineering. Additionally, Tetra Tech's acquisition of RPS Group and WYG Group further expands its consulting and engineering services, positioning the firm to address the multifaceted needs of coastal projects. With a global presence and a commitment to innovative solutions, Tetra Tech is well-equipped to contribute to coastal engineering initiatives.


9. Liquid 2 Ventures

  • Website: liquid2.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 91
  • LinkedIn: liquid-2-ventures

Liquid 2 Ventures is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2015. The firm specializes in investing in technology startups at the pre-seed and seed stages, as well as growth-stage companies. They provide capital, mentorship, and access to a vast network of industry insiders to help founders navigate their entrepreneurial journeys. In recent years, Liquid 2 Ventures has been involved in several notable transactions that align with coastal engineering themes. For instance, they participated in a seed funding round for Navier, a startup focused on developing futuristic electric boats, which could have applications in sustainable coastal transport. Additionally, they invested in Impossible Metals, a company working on underwater robotic vehicles designed to collect battery metals from the ocean floor without harming the environment. These investments reflect Liquid 2 Ventures' interest in supporting innovative solutions that address environmental challenges, particularly in marine and coastal contexts.


10. Montrose Environmental Group


Montrose Environmental Group, Inc. is an environmental consulting company founded in 2012, based in Little Rock, Arkansas. With a workforce of 1001-5000 employees, the firm provides a wide range of services including testing, compliance, and remediation solutions across various sectors such as chemical manufacturing and oil & gas. In recent years, Montrose has expanded its capabilities through strategic acquisitions, including Environmental Alliance, Inc., a prominent environmental engineering and consulting firm in the Mid-Atlantic region, and Horizon Water and Environment, LLC, which specializes in environmental consulting. These acquisitions enhance Montrose's expertise in environmental assessments and compliance, which are critical components in coastal engineering projects. Their recent acquisition of Paragon Soil and Environmental Consulting further indicates their commitment to expanding their environmental consulting services, potentially including coastal and marine environments.


11. MassVentures

  • Website: mass-ventures.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Waltham, Massachusetts, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1978
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 28
  • LinkedIn: massventures

MassVentures is a venture studio based in Waltham, Massachusetts, founded in 1978, that supports early-stage companies primarily in Massachusetts. The firm focuses on deep tech innovation and offers a variety of funding options, including venture capital and grants, along with business guidance and accelerator programs. In recent years, MassVentures has been involved in several transactions that highlight its commitment to supporting innovative companies. Notably, they provided grants to Ithaca Clean Energy, SeaDeep, and Allium Engineering, which are companies that may engage in technologies relevant to environmental sustainability and engineering solutions. These transactions reflect MassVentures' strategy to back startups that are commercializing research and technology, potentially including applications in coastal engineering.


12. Blackstone

  • Website: blackstone.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1985
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 57
  • LinkedIn: blackstonegroup

Blackstone Inc. is a leading investment management firm based in New York, specializing in alternative investments across various sectors, including private equity, real estate, and credit solutions. Founded in 1985, Blackstone has built a reputation for delivering lasting value through its extensive portfolio and strategic investments. Notably, Blackstone has made significant moves in the engineering sector, including the acquisition of a majority stake in Geosyntec Consultants for $380 million, reflecting their belief in the growing demand for environmental engineering services amid climate regulations. Additionally, their investment in Salas O’Brien, an engineering and technical services firm, further emphasizes their focus on firms that contribute to engineering solutions, including those relevant to coastal engineering. These transactions highlight Blackstone's strategic interest in firms that address environmental challenges, making them a noteworthy player in the coastal engineering investment landscape.


13. IFC - International Finance Corporation

  • Website: ifc.org
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Washington, D.C., District Of Columbia, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1956
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 107
  • LinkedIn: ifclinkedin

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is a not-for-profit organization established in 1956, dedicated to fostering private sector development in emerging markets. Based in Washington, D.C., the IFC provides investment, advisory, and asset management services to businesses and financial institutions, facilitating access to capital and expertise to promote economic growth. Operating in over 100 countries, the IFC addresses poverty and champions sustainable development. Notable transactions include a $600 million post-IPO debt for ACCIONA, a $62.7 million debt financing for BMR Energy, and a significant equity investment in Lekela Power for renewable energy projects in Africa. Additionally, the IFC has arranged financing for a 55-MW solar project in Malawi, showcasing its commitment to sustainable infrastructure. While these projects are primarily in renewable energy, the IFC's overarching goals align with the principles of sustainable coastal engineering, particularly in the context of climate resilience and infrastructure development.


14. Bentley Systems

  • Website: bentley.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Exton, Pennsylvania, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1984
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: bentley-systems

Bentley Systems, Incorporated is a corporate investor based in Exton, Pennsylvania, specializing in software development for infrastructure engineering solutions. Founded in 1984, the company provides a range of software products aimed at enhancing the design, construction, and operation of infrastructure projects globally. Their offerings include advanced tools for digital twins and project management, which are crucial for improving productivity and sustainability in engineering operations. Notably, Bentley has made several strategic acquisitions that enhance their capabilities in areas relevant to coastal engineering. For instance, their acquisition of SoilVision Systems, which develops geotechnical software, allows for better integration of subsurface engineering workflows that are essential in coastal projects. Additionally, their investment in Niricson, which focuses on predictive analytics for managing critical infrastructure assets, further aligns with the needs of coastal engineering. These transactions demonstrate Bentley's commitment to advancing technologies that can support coastal engineering initiatives.


15. Chevron

  • Website: chevron.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Houston, Texas, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1999
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: chevron

Chevron Corporation is an energy company specializing in oil and natural gas exploration, production, and distribution. Founded in 1999 and based in Houston, Texas, Chevron operates globally, focusing on sustainable practices to meet the world's energy demands. In addition to their core business, Chevron is investing in renewable energy solutions and carbon capture technologies. Notably, Chevron Technology Ventures has participated in several transactions relevant to coastal engineering, including a Series A investment in Ocergy, which is developing sustainable offshore solutions such as the OCG-Wind floating foundation and environmental monitoring buoys. Furthermore, Chevron's involvement in the funding of Sea Machines Robotics highlights their interest in advancing maritime technology, which is crucial for coastal engineering applications. These investments reflect Chevron's commitment to supporting innovative solutions that address challenges in coastal and offshore environments.


16. Apollo Global Management, Inc.

  • Website: apollo.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1990
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 46
  • LinkedIn: apollo-global-management-inc

Apollo Global Management, Inc. is an asset management firm based in New York, specializing in alternative assets and retirement solutions. Founded in 1990, the firm manages a diverse portfolio across credit, private equity, and real assets, catering to institutional investors, corporations, and individual clients. Notably, Apollo has engaged in significant transactions that reflect its strategic interests in various sectors. One such transaction is the acquisition of a 49% stake in Poet Blue Ocean Offshore Services Pte. Ltd. (PBO), a Singaporean engineering firm, which aligns with coastal engineering through its focus on offshore services. This acquisition, valued at approximately P711.98 million, highlights Apollo's commitment to investing in firms that operate in areas relevant to coastal and marine infrastructure. Additionally, Apollo's involvement with companies like US Wind and CH2M Hill, which are engaged in energy and environmental services, further underscores its potential relevance to coastal engineering initiatives.



Coastal Engineering Insights: Key Investors in the US


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)Washington, D.C., District Of Columbia, United States (USA)10001+1977597
Government of CanadaCanada, Kentucky, United States (USA)10001+1999137
Nv5Hollywood, Florida, United States (USA)1001-5000194710
Sustainable Ocean AllianceSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)11-5020141
Y CombinatorSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)51-2002005802
KkrNew York, New York, United States (USA)1001-5000197674
Bowman ConsultingReston, Virginia, United States (USA)1001-500019958
Tetra TechPasadena, California, United States (USA)10001+19662
Liquid 2 VenturesSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)1-10201591
Montrose Environmental GroupLittle Rock, Arkansas, United States (USA)1001-500020127
MassVenturesWaltham, Massachusetts, United States (USA)1-10197828
BlackstoneNew York, New York, United States (USA)1001-5000198557
IFC - International Finance CorporationWashington, D.C., District Of Columbia, United States (USA)1001-50001956107
Bentley SystemsExton, Pennsylvania, United States (USA)1001-500019841
ChevronHouston, Texas, United States (USA)10001+199916
Apollo Global Management, Inc.New York, New York, United States (USA)1001-5000199046


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