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56 | SOLUTIONS FOR THE OCEAN / INNOVATIONS

ROUND TABLE 4 ROUND TABLE 5

INVESTING IN OCEAN REGENERATIVE
INNOVATORS OCEAN FARMING

Although the number of innovative ocean-re- Can ocean farming be cost-effective Caroline Slootweg, Founder of Kelp Blue
lated businesses are on the increase, investors whilst generating a substantial positive spoke about the creation of a farm for
and their capital are still hesitant. Which criteria impact for global health? This is the the cultivation of macrocystis, the lar-
take precedence for investing in a niche sector? standpoint upheld by the panellists of gest kelp in the world, in Namibia, 80%
Under the auspices of Barclays, the 4 round this session, showing the extent to which of which is reserved for marine life, re-
th
table invited investors with a firm footing in blue regenerative ocean farming can play a si- presenting a substantial carbon sink.
investment with a view to encouraging current gnificant role in the resolution of the most The discussions also focused on a fac-
philanthropists and new investors to use their urgent ocean health issues. tory to process seaweed into innovative
capital to develop innovative ocean businesses, products (Oceanium) and FlexSea’s
including in their early phase. Canadian Bren Smith, an industrial fi- promising sustainable bioplastic made
sherman turned seaweed farmer, foun- from red seaweed and presented by the
The discussion focused on portfolio diversi- der of the NGO GreenWave, told his sto- youngest entrepreneur of the day, the
fication, the importance of an ocean-entre- ry about setting up this global network of engineer Thibault Monfort.
preneurs business model (Katapult, Schmidt regenerative ocean farmers who hopes
Marine Technology Partners), the role of inves- to have 10,000 members within the next
tors (Circulate Capital and its plastic fund) and 10 years.
governments in the development of dedicated
funds (Monaco’s Minister of Finance and Eco-
nomy). Last, the panel discussed the impact of “We have launched a centre for ocean regeneration through
environmental risks specific to the marine eco- farming open to all, which offers our community of farmers easily
system, exposed to climate change, on invest- replicable infrastructure models, funding options, and also a
ments. mentoring system, even a kelp climate fund… We are focusing on
the redistribution of production, a concept for the 22 century!
nd
We need to be more creative and inclusive so that people feel
“We are impact investors: when engaged as if it were a world war.”
we meet a blue economy business, Bren Smith, Founder of GreenWave (Climate Change Award 2021
we consider it first and foremost a presented by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation)
driver of innovation, working for the
changes we are keen to support.”
Jonas Skattum Svegaarden,
Director of Katapult Ocean