Shinkei Systems, a seafood robotics company that manufactures automated fish harvesting systems, has successfully raised USD 22 million (EUR 18.9 million) in Series A funding.
Shinkei Systems was founded in 2021 and has developed a patented system of robots that allows fish processors to automate the “ikejime” process of slaughtering fish. The company has established what it calls “Seremoni Grade” fish, named after Seremoni Fish – a subsidiary of Shinkei Systems – which is intended to denote superior quality. To date, the company has raised USD 30 million (EUR 25.8 million)
“We set the new philosophy for the very best fish. Seremoni Grade seafood reflects our team’s boat-to-plate obsession with quality,” Shinkei Systems Co-founder and CEO Saif Khawaja said.
The Series A funding round was co-led by Founders Fund and Interlagos, and garnered new investments from Yamato Holdings, Shrug, CIV, Jaws, and Mantis.
Shinkei said its automated ikejime process helps commercial fishermen improve the quality of their catch, without adding additional labor burdens. Khawaja told SeafoodSource during Seafood Expo North America that the company is working to expand adoption of its technology, and the number of species that the company covers.
Shinkei said its planning to introduce new species this summer, including red snapper, salmon, and others.
“With our technology stack, we’ve rewritten the seafood supply chain to champion American fishermen, prioritize transparency, and deliver unmatched flavor for consumers,” Shinkei Systems Co-founder and CTO Reed Ginsberg said. “This new funding will drive our next phase of growth – to deploy our tech more broadly and redefine what’s possible in the seafood industry.”
The company said its expansion is aided by its business model, which sees it partner with independent fishermen to directly source their fish. Each operation that it partners with is outfitted with Shinkei Systems’ robotics, allowing fishermen to in turn provide higher-quality fish.
Shinkais Systems also said it has partnered with Yamato Transport, allowing it to distribute its U.S.-caught seafood in markets in Japan.
“Shinkei Systems is a true innovator in the seafood industry,” Yamato Holdings Head of Innovation Yasuhiro Saito said. “By pairing their breakthrough harvesting technology with our cold-chain logistics, we’re able to ensure every delicately harvested fish arrives at peak freshness, preserving the integrity of Seremoni’s fish which arrive with an unprecedented level of quality.”
