Oceans in Crisis
The Oceans are fundamental to our existence, capturing a quarter of all the carbon we emit, growing one-fifth of all the calories we consume and carrying 90% of the cargo we trade.
But they are in crisis. Carbon emissions are causing unprecedented ocean warming. Up to 80% of fish stock are overfished. Air pollution, pesticides and industrial effluent are killing marine ecosystems. Much of this extensive damage is already irreversible.
Despite the crisis, less than 1% of all philanthropic funding goes to the Oceans.
And yet the Ocean presents a $trillion opportunity. Investing in sustainable oceans is worth the cost. Every $1 invested is estimated to generate up to $5 of net environmental, health, and economic benefits.
United Ocean Fund's objective is to provide impact venture capital as well as catalyse philanthropic contributions to increase funding for the ocean, its recovery and its future.
Investment Criteria
verticals
Plastic Alternatives & Removal
Seafood, Biodiversity & Aquaculture
Renewable Energy & Blue Carbon
Maritime Tech, Robotics & Big Data
Pre-seed to series A in developed markets, seed to series B in developing markets
Aris Karcanias
Adviser
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Vincent Doumeizel
Adviser
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Eitan Sessler
Adviser
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Penny Stock
Adviser
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Mike Penrose
Advisor and Investment Committee at Vala
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Daniel hook
Adviser
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Ron Shigeta
Adviser
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Managing Partners
Lian Michelson
Managing Partner
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Jonathan Spanos
Managing Partner
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Extended Team
Jasper Smith
Founder & Director, Vala
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James Faulkner
Co-Founder & Managing Director, Vala
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John Oliver
Sales Director, Vala
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Asker Fawmy
Co-Founder & Finance Director, Vala
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George Robinson
Investment Associate, Vala
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Advisory Board
Aris Karcanias
Adviser
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Vincent Doumeizel
Adviser
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Eitan Sessler
Adviser
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Penny Stock
Adviser
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Mike Penrose
Advisor and Investment Committee at Vala
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Daniel hook
Adviser
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Ron Shigeta
Adviser
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Portfolio
Here are some of the current companies that Vala has invested in that could suit the venture investment of the United Ocean Fund. These are illustrative of the high-growth opportunities within the Fund themes but are not yet investments the Fund has completed.
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Blog
Opportunities in the Blue Economy
Following the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon last week, Vala’s Investment Director Lian Michelson shares her thoughts on the Blue Economy, and the myriad ingenious ways the ocean supports life on Earth.
Foudning Partners
The United Nations Joint Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Fund is a UN flagship global fund that is supercharging the United Nations Development System around the world, catalysing financing that improves the well-being of people and communities, especially vulnerable groups. The Fund unites global expertise, strategic partnerships and innovative networks throughout the United Nations to accelerate progress toward the SDGs. To date, it has funded 200 joint programmes focused on integrated social protection or SDG finance, it has stimulated over 1,000+ partnerships working together alongside 25 UN Agencies and tested over 300 innovative solutions to accelerate the 2030 Agenda.
Vala Capital is a sustainability-focused early stage impact investor. It has made numerous ocean-tech investments to date, including HonuWorx, FlexSea, Arksen, RAD propulsion and Ring Powercraft. Its mission is to support businesses with the potential to transform markets and the lives of consumers.
10% for the Ocean is an innovative collective philanthropy platform designed to amplify funding for ocean recovery and sustainability projects, pioneering a more collaborative and impactful approach to environmental giving. It has more than 50 charity partners including Greenpeace, ClientEarth and Seas at Risk and provides finance to hundreds of projects in 12 countries.
The NOC is one of the world's top oceanorphic institutions. it provides the UKs National Capability needed to be a top global player, to lead and paticipate in international cooperations. The NOC undertakes world leading research in large scale oceangraphy and ocean measurement technology innovation; working with government and business to turn great science and technology into advice and applications. it supports scientists in universities and research institutes with factilities, research infrastructure and irreplaceable data assets - enabling the UK to harness the full power and diversity of its ocean science talent.
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If you think your idea fits how we work and what we're looking for, we'd love to hear from you. Please share some information with our team and we'll get back to you to set up an intro call. Please share information with our team via this form