BlueX | 1-29-24 | Propeller Dominates BlueX, Captura Makes a Splash, and Aquaculture Insects

Propeller VC is dominating the BlueTech news this week.

• Yours truly got to teach a workshop at Propeller’s OceanMBA program at WHOI. It was a blast to hang out with these killer scientist-engineer-founders.

• While we’re on the topic of Propeller’s OceanMBA, they announced that applications are open for the next cohort. This is a phenomenal and intense (in a good way) way to jumpstart your OceanTech startup. Applications are right through this link.

• AND to top it all off they announced 12 fantastically awesome startups in their portfolio that were funded through 2023. And guess which scrappy BlueTech newsletter got a shout-out in the press release? That’s right, this one.

I think Propeller just wants me to re-do my 2023 EOY BlueTech Report . . .

Speaking of the EOY report. Big thanks to SeaAhead who called it out in their newsletter! This is another great program that is phenomenal at getting BlueTech startups their start. Sign up for their news updates, and/or apply to be in their next cohort program.

If you like this free newsletter and what I’m doing with it, do me a favor and refer it to a friend OR share it on social media.

OceanTech Fundings

The main event. Startup investment announcements in OceanTech.

🪨 Direct ocean capture company Captura raised $21.5 MM led by Future Planet Capital, including Maersk Growth, Eni Next, EDP Ventures, Equinor Ventures, Freeflow Ventures, Hitachi Ventures, Aramco Ventures, mTerra Ventures, and EIC Rose Rock Venture Fund | More from Pulse 2.0

💽 Aquaculture automation and data company AquaExchange raised $6MM led by Ocean 14 | More from Ocean 14

✇ Our friends at Propeller announced their portfolio with 12 companies (and one still in stealth) from 2023. Making them the leading US venture fund in BlueTech. | More from Propeller

🦗 Insect agriculture company Nasekomo raised $8.7MM led by Invenio Partners. | More from Ag Funder News

🚤 Electric marine motor company TEMO raised €6MM led by At One Ventures and Bpifrance, including Yachting Ventures | More from Yachting Ventures

More OceanTech News

Some of the OceanTech articles we liked. Not fundings necessarily, but some great stuff:

🛥 GT Green Technologies & Partners Receive £3.7M Grant for New Project | GT Green Technologies, in collaboration with Carisbrooke Shipping and The University of Bristol, is deploying wind-assisted propulsion solution AirWing. | More from Maritime Executive

🇬🇧 UK Awards $42M to Maritime CleanTech Projects in Latest Funding Round | The government wants to position Britain as a leader in emerging maritime technologies | More from Tradewind News

🍱 Forsea Develops World’s First Cultivated Eel Fillet, Plans Commercial Launch in 2025 | Forsea Foods, a cultivated seafood startup from Israel, has unveiled what it claims is the world’s first cultivated eel prototype. | More from The Vegconomist

More Ocean Sustainability News

Even if it isn’t tech, that doesn’t mean we don’t love reading these pieces:

🇵🇦 Panama Canal Appoints First-Ever Chief Sustainability Officer | Deputy Administrator Ilya Espino de Marotta will accelerate the Canal’s efforts to foster a more sustainable era for its operations, its community, and global trade as a whole. | More from Maritime Executive

🏗️ New Jersey Selects Two Offshore Wind Farms to Reinvigorate Energy Plans | New Jersey state regulators announced the results of the state’s third offshore wind solicitation. | More from Maritime Executive (Note: I live in NJ and love OSW. I’m personally very excited about this announcement, especially since SeaAhead will be coming to NJ!)

🌊 Conoship and Bouman join forces on ship-based carbon capture joint venture | EverLoNG ship-based carbon capture project partners Bouman Industries and Conoship International have signed an . . . | More from Offshore Energy

OceanTech Jobs

There are a ton of career opportunities in this broad ecosystem. Are these right for you?

I was asked recently about opportunities for MBA graduates in BlueTech. For that reason, this week I’m highlighting opportunities specifically with that in mind.

🌿 Algae bioplastics company Checkerspot is looking for a B2B Materials Sales Manager.

🐟 Aquaculture firm Pacifico Aquaculture is looking for a Finance Business Intelligence Specialist.

⚓ Maritime defense automation company Saronic is looking for a Business Development Manager

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