Octave Capital and Katapult Ocean have launched the USD 75 million (EUR 63 million) Asia Ocean Fund, an impact investment fund aimed at supporting the development of Asia’s ocean sector. The fund was established through a memorandum of understanding between the two organizations, with a focus on deploying capital to ventures that restore ocean health, address climate change, and combat biodiversity loss. Octave Capital is an impact investment firm, while Katapult Ocean is a venture fund manager specializing in ocean-focused solutions.
May Liew, CEO of Octave Capital, emphasized that Asia represents both critical challenges and opportunities for ocean sustainability. She noted that the fund aims to channel investment into ocean solutions that generate growth while addressing urgent environmental and social needs, using an approach that prioritizes restoration over extraction.
The Asia Ocean Fund will target six key sectors: maritime decarbonization, ocean renewable energy, green shipping infrastructure, ocean biodiversity and restoration solutions, circular resources, and sustainable aquaculture and marine biotechnology. The first accelerator program under the fund is expected to launch in the first half of 2026, with plans to support more than 20 investments over the next five years.
Jonas Skattum Svegaarden, CEO of Katapult Ocean, highlighted that Asia’s blue economy has immense potential but has lacked a bridge between innovation and capital. The fund is designed to derisk early-stage ventures, attract broader investment, and empower entrepreneurs to advance a sustainable ocean economy in the region.
Investment in ocean-focused startups in Asia has grown but remains behind other regions. The Asia Ocean Fund aims to close this gap and accelerate the growth of ocean-tech startups. The launch reflects a broader trend, following recent initiatives such as SWEN Capital Partners’ SWEN Blue Ocean 2 Fund, which raised EUR 160 million (USD 189 million), and Bluefront Equity’s second impact fund, Bluefront Capital II, with USD 100 million (EUR 84 million) in investments.
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