Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.-based Fishpeople Seafood announced Tuesday, 6 June that it had secured USD 12 million (EUR 10.7 million) in financing from the Advantage Capital Agribusiness Partners (ACAP) and other investors.
Fishpeople Seafood, a maker of sustainable seafood kits, already has products available in more than 5,000 retail stores in the U.S., including Safeway/Albertsons and Whole Foods.
While ACAP was the major investor in the USD 12 million windfall, Fishpeople also received money from other investors focused on sustainability, including 3x5 Partners, Blueberry Ventures, S2G Ventures, Encourage Capital, and the Collaborative Fund, the company said in a press release.
Fishpeople CEO Ken PLasse, who joined the company in 2015, said it was important to him that the new investment package was in line with Fishpeople’s philosophy.
“We are thrilled to have found such a unique group of mission-aligned, respected investors that focus on companies disrupting the food and beverage space with forward-thinking tactics, a focus on product and food system innovations, and a strong commitment to sustainability,” Plasse said in comments to Business Wire. “As we continue to lead the charge in transparent seafood products that consumers can trust, we are excited to receive this round of funding that supports the resources necessary to accelerate growth and continue to disrupt and elevate the seafood industry.”
Dedicated to maximum transparency and traceability, Fishpeople’s website includes software where consumers can plug a code number found on the packaging of the company’s seafood kits and soups to trace the origin of the product and connect with the producers and fishers who made it possible.
Fishpeople recently merged with Ilwaco Landing Fisherman, adding which will add Pacific Northwest dock access to its processing plant in Toledo, Oregon, according to Portland Business Journal. Ilawaco also has supply partnerships that run up and down the West Coast, from Bering Sea, Alaska-based cod longliners to wild-caught albacore tuna caught off the coast of Washington and Oregon.
