Katapult Ocean Joins Forces with Key Investors to Support Ocean Rainforest in Closing their Series A Round

Ocean Rainforest

Katapult Ocean, the impact-driven investment fund, is proud to announce its participation alongside prominent investors, including Planet Ocean Fund, Builders Vision, Klaveness, Stena, and Farvatn, in the successful Series A funding round of Ocean Rainforest. As part of our Deep Blue Fund Strategy, this investment signifies our commitment to supporting and helping to scale innovative ocean impact companies that are driving positive change in the world.

Ocean Rainforest, a pioneering company cultivating seaweed while improving people’s well-being and making a unique contribution to our blue planet, has secured an impressive $6.2 million in its Series A funding round. This funding will enable the expansion of Ocean Rainforest’s operations in the North Atlantic and Eastern Pacific regions, furthering their mission to create sustainable and scalable seaweed cultivation solutions.

Ross Brooks, Investment Director at Katapult Ocean, shares his insights on the investment, stating, “Institutional investors are recognizing the importance of addressing climate risks, and the ocean plays a crucial role in this regard. It is one of the most powerful tools at our disposal to tackle climate and resource challenges. Through our Deep Blue Fund, Katapult Ocean is initiating a significant Blue Shift, leveraging the potential of the ocean to drive positive impact.”

Katapult Ocean’s Deep Blue Fund is being raised to invest in the top-performing companies within Katapult Ocean’s expansive ocean seed portfolio, which currently includes 52 innovative companies spanning various countries. By investing in these high-potential ocean impact ventures, we aim to support the development of sustainable solutions while maximizing returns on investments.

Jonas Skattum Svegaarden, CEO of Katapult Ocean, emphasizes the urgency and opportunity in the ocean industry, stating, “With the ocean facing unprecedented challenges and a wave of highly talented but under-invested ocean impact companies, our Deep Blue Fund strategy signifies both the responsibility to take action and the significant potential that lies within investing in highly impactful Ocean companies. The selected companies for this follow-on fund, chosen based on our sector expertise and portfolio management insights, showcase not only proven impact but also strong potential for return on investment.”

The investment in Ocean Rainforest is particularly noteworthy as it aligns with our commitment to supporting ocean hardware companies. These companies play a crucial role in creating a broader impact and driving meaningful, positive change for our oceans.

Tharald Nustad, Founder of Katapult, reflects on the significance of this milestone, stating, “Deep Blue represents an important step for both Katapult Ocean and the ocean industry as a whole. It adds to the series of milestones we have achieved over the past year, including portfolio companies reaching unicorn valuations, expansion into Africa, and the success of our accelerator programs. Taken together we are succeeding in our mission to make impact investment mainstream.”

Katapult Ocean continues to be at the forefront of the impact investment landscape, driving change and supporting the most innovative solutions that promote a thriving ocean in harmony with economic development. We have been recognized as an Uplink Top Innovative Fund by the World Economic Forum and have received accolades for our Accelerator Program, being named the Best Nordic Program and a Global Finalist for the World’s Best Accelerator Program.

As we look to the future, we remain dedicated to our mission of making a positive impact on the world through investment in sustainable ocean solutions. By partnering with remarkable companies like Ocean Rainforest and building larger funds such as Deep Blue, we are determined to bring about lasting change and create a better world for generations to come.

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