IMPACTASSETS 50™
An Annual Showcase of Impact Investment Fund Managers
ImpactAssets 50
An Annual Showcase of Impact Investment Fund Managers
Seabird Ventures
Climate Change
Natural Resources and ConservationFirm Overview
Seabird Ventures is a venture capital fund that invests in early stage companies developing market-driven innovations that will deliver positive impact on our ocean's health. Our mission is to invest in companies that heal, restore, and sustain our ocean, while also generating financial returns.
Years of Operation: 5 – 9 years
% of Capital from Top 3 Investors: 50% – 99%
Seabird Ventures invests in companies that are developing market-driven solutions to heal, restore, and sustain our ocean, while also generating financial returns.
There is an estimated funding gap of $150 billion USD per year for solving environmental challenges related to SDG 14 Life Underwater by 2030. Philanthropy alone will not solve the largest threats facing our ocean. We invest in startups that are developing market-driven solutions to heal, restore, and sustain our ocean, while also generating financial returns. By focusing on Seed to Series A startups, Seabird Ventures provides critical funding to early-stage companies to help bring their solutions to market. We believe that ecopreneurship (or environmental entrepreneurship) has the potential to address our ocean’s greatest challenges. We focus our investments in the following ocean impact areas: (1) Greenhouse Gas Reduction: Blue Carbon & CO2e Removal or Avoidance; (2) Pollution Reduction: Circular Use, Waste Removal or Avoidance; (3) Ecosystem & Species: Preservation & Restoration; (4) Blue Foods: Fisheries, Aquaculture, & Seafood Alternatives; and (5) Ocean Data, Literacy & Research.
Seabird Ventures focuses on investing in scalable ocean impact startups. With our ocean in crisis, we believe that ecopreneurship (or environmental entrepreneurship) has the potential to generate scalable solutions for our ocean's greatest challenges and address climate change. Through our partnership with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) and the Ecopreneur Network, we have access to the world's top ocean impact startups. Our fund is also unique in that 20% carried interest goes back to our nonprofit partner, SOA, to further develop ocean leaders, cultivate ideas, and accelerate ocean impact solutions.
Investment Example
In 2023, Seabird Ventures invested in Navier, an electric recreational boat company using innovative hydrofoil technology to make the boat 'fly' above the waves. Navier reduces carbon emissions, offers a new form of green transportation, and mitigates fuel spills. In 2024, Navier made history by delivering their first N30 Pioneer Edition boat, marking a milestone for the maritime industry. In just 2.5 years, they progressed from prototype to production, delivering the longest-range electric hydrofoiling vessel in the world. In 2024, Navier completed the first close of their $20M Series A, led by Contrary Capital and Builders VC, with new strategic investors like Tim Draper, Leblon Capital, and Balaji. Seabird had previously invested in Navier’s $11.6M pre-Series A round. Navier also received support from the Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) after graduating from their Ocean Solutions Accelerator in 2019. Co-investors include Propeller VC, Sergey Brin, Will.i.am, Kyle Vogt, and Cathryn Chen.
Leadership and Team
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Daniela Fernandez – Co-Founder More Info
Daniela V. Fernandez is a visionary nonprofit leader and social entrepreneur. At the age of 19, Daniela founded Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA), building a global organization to cultivate and accelerate innovative solutions that restore the health of our ocean. Under her leadership, SOA has created the world’s largest network of young ocean leaders, established a presence in over 165 countries, launched the first-ever Ocean Solutions Accelerator with Craig Dudenhoeffer to support ocean startups, created a venture capital fund, Seabird Ventures, to provide additional funding to early stage ocean companies, and partnered with corporations, NGOs, and governments to develop and implement technological solutions, addressing the greatest ocean challenges. |
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Craig Dudenhoeffer – Co-Founder More Info
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Matthew Mulrennan – Director of Investments More Info
17 years of interdisciplinary experience in the ocean and sustainability field within research science, policy, innovation, philanthropy and investing. Started a non-profit, led a for profit, and founded a VC fund - all around advancing climate and ocean solutions. |
Financial Performance
Impact Performance
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Percentage of Total Assets Under
Management that are Impact Investments: |
100%
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Seabird Ventures primarily sources its ocean impact companies through its partnership with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) and the Ecopreneur Network (formerly, Ocean Solutions Accelerator), where we have access to the world’s top ocean impact companies. These companies are carefully identified and selected through a series of steps in the process and involves consulting with a Solutions Advisory Board made up of external business, technical and scientific experts. During the due diligence process, the investment team evaluates each ocean impact company, reviewing for a strong business model, large target market, customer traction, financial performance, a qualified and diverse team of experts, measurable ocean impact, and scalability. For measurable ocean impact, the selection committee requests for additional explanations and attachments of their impact methodology and analysis to better understand the existing and potential environmental and social impacts of their products and services on our ocean’s health.
It is a priority for Seabird Ventures to consider the social and environmental sustainability practices and unintended consequences of the products and services on our ocean’s health. The investment team consults with external advisors and industry experts (e.g., scientific and business leaders). Through our partnership with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA), we’ve annually conducted an impact survey to help capture qualitative information on the companies’ intrafirm social/environmental sustainability processes. As part of Seabird Ventures’ investment due diligence of companies, our investment team also asks specific questions about the companies’ social and environmental sustainability practices and their current and future short-term and long-term plans.
Impact Tracking and Monitoring
Learn More
1160 Battery Street Suite 100, San Francisco, CA 94111
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