Aqua-Spark has invested in Dundee, Scotland’s Ace Aquatec, an internationally recognized aquaculture innovation firm, according to a 13 November announcement.
Co-founded by Amy Novogratz and Mike Velings, Aqua-Spark is an investment fund geared toward creating a "healthier, more sustainable, and more accessible aquaculture industry." Aqua-Spark served as the primary investor in Ace Aquatec’s latest round of funding because its values and output align perfectly with the fund’s mission, Novogratz and Velings said in a press release.
“Ace Aquatec's focus on developing technologies for responsible farming is paramount to increasing animal welfare in aquaculture, and an important part of Aqua-Spark's mission. We believe in Ace Aquatec's impact potential and look forward to supporting the company as it develops more innovative products and continues to expand its reach," they said.
Ace Aquatec has been riding waves of industry praise and accolades for its suite of aquaculture technology innovations, including its environmentally responsible predator deterrents, its in-water humane electric stunner, and its 3D biomass estimation systems. The company was honored with two Queen’s Awards for innovation, and was also recently recognized during Aqua Nor as well as the Global Aquaculture Alliance’s GOAL conference, where it took home the 2019 Global Aquaculture Innovation Award for its “Universal Humane Stunner.” The firm’s most recent creation involves a new sea lice removal system, developed in partnership with a local salmon farm. It has projects surrounding lice detection, fish monitoring, and renewable barges in the pipeline.
The investment from Aqua-Spark emboldens Ace Aquatec’s strategic plans for the future, noted Nathan Pyne-Carter, the company’s managing director.
“Aqua-Spark has a fantastic model for supporting and growing companies with a long-term perspective which aligns well with Ace Aquatec’s own strategic plan,” Pyne-Carter said. “We are excited to work with their team and to grow stronger partnerships with some of the highly innovative companies in their portfolio."
Specifically, the Aqua-Spark investment will allow Ace Aquatec to expand its operations across the globe; to increase its stock of rental equipment to better serve the needs of its expanding domestic and international rental customers; and to increase the number and scale of its R&D projects, the company said.
The innovator is “forging ahead with an ambitious recruitment drive and is continuing to work with new academic and industrial partners to improve and validate new systems in the field,” it added.
Photo courtesy of Ace Aquatec/Aqua-Spark
