Peniche-based SEAentia, a company specialising in Corvina (meagre) aquaculture using Recirculation Aquaculture Systems (RAS), has just announced the raising of €16 million to strengthen its team and advance the industrial phase of the project.
The funds were raised between capital from Indico Capital Partners’ Blue Fund and the Mar2030 Programme.
João Rito, President of SEAentia, stated: “This investment from Indico and the support from Mar2030 will make possible the world’s first Corvina production facility using recirculating aquaculture systems. This will enable us to meet growing demand and export this species on a large scale with high quality.”
SEAentia was founded in 2017 by João Rito, Nuno Leite, John Jones, and Sónia Rito, with initial support from Thierry Loustau and the business consultant All The Way. Its mission is to produce high-quality Corvina, focusing on innovative methods such as the use of recirculating aquaculture systems to ensure a constant and responsible production cycle while guaranteeing animal welfare.
The company aims to lead commercial Corvina production in RAS, controlling the entire production cycle in an environmentally responsible system. SEAentia is adamant that animal welfare and ecological sustainability are central pillars of their strategy.
The new funding, which could be increased by a further €8 million, will enable SEAentia to implement a large-scale infrastructure in the port of Peniche, allowing it to establish its production capacity, which is expected to reach 700 tonnes per year of high-quality Corvina, following strict sustainability criteria.
The investment is also set to be announced during the Luso-French Economic Forum, in attendance will be Portuguese Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, and the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron.
Stephan de Moraes, President of Indico Capital Partners, stated: “We are excited to support the sustainable production of Corvina. It is inevitable that the majority of fish consumed on the planet will come from aquaculture, just as most land-based species are farmed rather than wild, but we must ensure that the future of aquaculture is synonymous with quality and sustainability—something we found in SEAentia.
“This investment in SEAentia brings Indico’s total investments to over €100 million since 2019, representing a historic milestone for Indico and reinforcing its role as one of the leading investors in innovative and sustainable projects in Europe.”
The investment in SEAentia was made through the Indico Blue Fund – a €50 million fund dedicated to investments focused in the blue economy. This fund aims to support innovative startups and SMEs with a clear commitment to sustainable solutions.
The company’s vision for the future is to lead the commercial production of meagre using RAS, controlling the entire production cycle in an environmentally responsible system.
João Rito’s ambition is for SEAentia to begin commercialisation in 2028, consolidating its position as an example in the sustainable aquaculture sector.
Read the orginal article: https://www.eu-startups.com/2025/02/seaentia-reels-in-e16-million-for-sustainable-corvina-aquaculture/
