Hatch Blue Project Manager Karlotta Rieve on the ground in Southeast Asia, spending time with local seaweed farmers to build firsthand insight into production realities and opportunities © Hatch Blue
The investment, made by the philanthropy and investment platform founded by billionaire Lukas Walton, signals a significant shift in institutional confidence towards the aquaculture sector. The agreement marks a rare GP-level commitment into a sector-specific aquaculture platform, highlighting the growing recognition of aquaculture as a fundamental pillar of the future global food system.
Builders Vision is recognised for deploying long-term, patient capital across food and agriculture, energy and oceans. While the two organisations have partnered since 2017, with Builders Vision previously acting as a limited partner in the Blue Revolution Fund, this new minority stake in the Hatch Blue holding company represents a major expansion of the partnership.
“When a partner like Builders Vision - with its long-term perspective and deep roots in the global food system - doubles down at the GP level, it sends a powerful signal,” said Georg Baunach, CEO of Hatch Blue, in a press release. “This investment reinforces that aquaculture is no longer an emerging niche, but a critical growth sector. With Builders Vision as a strategic partner, we can accelerate our ambition to build the world’s leading specialist investment platform for aquaculture.”
The aquaculture industry is currently valued at more than $366 billion, making it the world’s fastest-growing food production system. Despite its scale, the sector has historically lacked specialised investment platforms that integrate technical expertise with capital. However, recent consolidation in salmon production and increased interest in AI-enabled farming suggest a pivot among global investors.
By combining venture capital, hands-on industry alongside investment advisory and innovation programs, Hatch Blue is positioned at the centre of aquaculture’s next phase of industrial and technological development. The new capital will be used to expand global operations and scale core institutional functions. Builders Vision will also take on a strategic advisory role to support portfolio management and talent acquisition.
“Our relationship with Hatch Blue began in 2017, and over nearly a decade, we’ve watched them transform into a global leader that is shaping the future of the sustainable blue economy,” said James Lindsay, director, investments at Builders Vision. “The Hatch Blue team has consistently demonstrated an ability to do the hard, transformative work that the ocean sector needs, particularly in restorative aquaculture. We are thrilled to expand our commitment through this GP stake and look forward to serving as a strategic advisor to the firm as they build the connective tissue necessary for a truly sustainable and successful aquaculture industry.”
