Venture capital firm SWEN secures $183 million to establish a new fund focused on making a positive impact in the ocean sector.
SWEN Blue Ocean 2 Fund Takes Stride in Ocean Sustainability
SWEN Capital Partners, a leading global impact investor, has launched its Blue Ocean 2 fund - a venture capital initiative solely dedicated to ocean sustainability. The fund, which was officially unveiled at the UN Ocean Conference in June 2025, targets startups bringing solutions to address key threats affecting ocean biodiversity, such as over-fishing, pollution, and climate change[1][2][5].
The fund has already raised €160 million at its first close, with plans to reach €300 million in total[2]. This would make it the world's largest ocean impact venture fund, further emphasizing SWEN's commitment to ocean sustainability[1][2][5].
The fund's strategy, as stated by Olivier Raybaud, Co-Managing Director of SWEN Blue Ocean, demonstrates a link between impact and highly competitive returns[3]. The fund is designed to invest primarily in Series A funding rounds and will enable the firm to take more lead positions at this stage, with the ability to write first tickets of up to €12 million[4].
The Blue Ocean 2 fund has been classified as Article 9 under the EU's SFDR regulation, reflecting its commitment to promoting environmental and social objectives[1]. The fund's team, which has grown to nine investment professionals, actively engages with entrepreneurs and advisors to identify and nurture high-potential impact ventures[1][3][4].
Jérôme Delmas, CEO of SWEN Capital Partners, expressed the firm's awareness of its responsibility as an investor and its commitment to supporting high-impact projects with strong transformative potential[3]. His comments underscored the importance of the Blue Ocean team's expertise and the trust of investors sharing the firm's convictions and determination to act without delay[3].
The fund's portfolio currently comprises 18 portfolio companies, each working on innovative solutions to support ocean biodiversity regeneration[1]. These include startups producing land-grown shrimp (a sustainable alternative to wild catch), biodegradable plastics alternatives, and bio-based polymers aimed at reducing ocean plastic pollution[1].
Looking ahead, additional hires are planned for the Blue Ocean team in the coming months[1]. Christian Lim, Co-Managing Director of SWEN Blue Ocean, highlighted the role of the startup ecosystem in providing innovative solutions for ocean protection[1]. He emphasized that the potential of the SWEN Blue Ocean 2 fund's strategy to make a tangible contribution to the regeneration of marine biodiversity cannot be overstated[1].
In conclusion, SWEN Blue Ocean 2 is a significant step forward in the fight for ocean sustainability. By mobilizing substantial capital, the fund aims to transform ocean industries and address urgent ecological threats, demonstrating that impact and competitive returns can go hand in hand.
[1] SWEN Capital Partners Press Release, June 2025 [2] Financial Times, "SWEN Capital Partners Launches €300m Blue Ocean 2 Fund," June 2025 [3] Olivier Raybaud, Co-Managing Director of SWEN Blue Ocean, interview, June 2025 [4] Jérôme Delmas, CEO of SWEN Capital Partners, interview, June 2025 [5] UN Ocean Conference, Official Announcement, June 2025
- The Blue Ocean 2 fund, an ocean sustainability venture capital initiative by SWEN Capital Partners, invests in Series A funding rounds, primarily in startups that bring solutions to address climate change and environmental-science challenges in the ocean, such as over-fishing, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
- By launching the Blue Ocean 2 fund, SWEN Capital Partners, a leading global impact investor, seeks to mobilize finance and investing for technologies that can positively impact the ocean ecosystem, marking a significant stride in the field of science and technology for ocean sustainability.
- With the aim of reaching €300 million in total, the Blue Ocean 2 fund will support innovative startups, such as those producing sustainable shrimp, biodegradable plastics alternatives, and bio-based polymers that can mitigate climate change and reduce ocean plastic pollution, thereby promoting a more sustainable future for our planet.
