Aqua-Spark

Aqua-Spark is an investment fund based in Utrecht, the Netherlands, dedicated entirely to sustainable aquaculture. It was founded in 2013 by Mike Velings and Amy Novogratz, who launched the fund after concluding that farmed fish would have to supply much of the world's future protein while the industry attracted almost no outside investment. The fund invests across the aquaculture value chain, from fish farms in emerging markets to alternative feed ingredients, animal health, and farm management technology, and aims to hold positions long term while steering portfolio companies toward measurable environmental and social improvement. Its first investments, announced in January 2015, placed $4 million across Calysta, a California developer of microbe-based protein feed, and Chicoa Fish Farm in Mozambique. By 2024 Aqua-Spark reported 28 portfolio companies and assets under management of nearly 500 million euros, and described itself as the largest investment fund dedicated to sustainable aquaculture. The collapse of Indonesian portfolio company eFishery in a fraud case then cut reported assets under management from 500 million euros to 260 million euros during 2025. The firm continues to invest in aquaculture companies worldwide from its Utrecht base.

€260m AUM 68/100 Power Score™ 2013 Founded Utrecht, Netherlands
Food & Agriculture Sustainability Climate
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Signature Exit

No confirmed public exit yet; the firm's notable positions remain private.

Key Partners & Leadership

Co-founder and CEO
Co-founder and Managing Partner

Firm Timeline

2013
Aqua-Spark was launched in Utrecht by Mike Velings and Amy Novogratz as a fund dedicated to sustainable aquaculture.
2015
The fund announced its first investments, committing $4 million across feed innovator Calysta and Chicoa Fish Farm in Mozambique.
2024
Aqua-Spark marked its tenth anniversary with an impact report citing 28 portfolio companies and nearly €500M in assets under management.
2025
The eFishery fraud case contributed to Aqua-Spark's reported assets under management falling from €500m to €260m.