Barcelona-based Ocean Ecostructures, a company that specializes in marine ecosystem restoration technologies, has closed a €3 million Series A round. The company will use the funds to expand internationally through the creation of subsidiaries, and launch operations in the Middle East.
Ocean Ecostructures provides biomimetic microreefs, also known as Life Boosting Units (LBU)–artificial structures that imitate the shape and function of natural reefs. These units are designed to promote biodiversity by acting as habitats for fish, crustaceans, and other marine species. The company said they can assist in restoring marine ecosystems that have been severely affected by human activity and climate change. The company also uses robotics and artificial intelligence to monitor conditions and track progress of the reefs as well as provide reporting over time.
The company recently installed six biomimetic micro-reefs at the Port of Algeciras, one of nearly 400 small reefs in different Mediterranean ports, with another 500 being installed. The goal is to improve water quality and capture CO2, as well as promote the appearance of fish and algae. By integrating marine regeneration into port infrastructures, the company said it can demostrate how industrial development can be combined with environmental protection.
The Port of Algeciras project is also using underwater drones, which will allow for precise measurement of the impact of the microreefs on marine biodiversity. These drones will be used to track the generated biomass, the new species inhabiting the structures, and the amount of CO2 captured by the system.
The funding round was led by Seven Seas Capital, a boutique impact investment firm, along with previous investors Ship2B Ventures and Inclimo. Seven Seas posted, “We are thrilled to announce that we have led a Series A funding round for Ocean Ecostructures, a groundbreaking startup based in Barcelona specializing in marine ecosystem restoration technologies. This marks our first investment in a blue economy company – completely aligned with our mission to enhance marine life, resilience and restore ocean health.”
