S2G Ventures launches USD 100 million seafood innovation strategy

S2G Ventures, an investment firm focusing on climate change, human health, and planet health, has announced the establishment of an “oceans and seafood investment team” with USD 100 million (EUR 84.7 million) of commitments to the strategy.

Alongside the establishment of the new strategy, the company has also announced the hiring of Larsen Mettler and Kate Danaher, who have both joined S2G Ventures as managing directors to oversee the new strategy. The new investment team will focus on investing in “early, venture, and growth stage companies” that are targeting innovations in seafood, alternative protein sources, aquaculture, supply chain innovations, traceability and transparency, algae or seaweed products, and ecosystem services.

“The ocean plays a critical role in the health of our planet.  And the seafood industry is a critical protein source for over 3 billion people,” S2G Ventures stated in its announcement of the new investment team. “The stability of the ocean and seafood sector are important for long-term human health.”

Over the past six years, the firm has invested in the founders of food and agriculture companies such as Beyond Meat, sweetgreen, Apeel Sciences, Greenlight Biosciences, and more.

“With the addition of the oceans and seafood strategy, S2G expands their mandate to include a more comprehensive scope across the food system and positions them to affect greater positive long-term social and environmental impact,” S2G wrote.

Danaher is joining the new team from RSF Social Finance, where as chief lending officer she oversaw capital development strategies. She brings her agriculture finance expertise, which in the past she has used to specialize in the U.S. food system, fair trade supply chains, and consumer-facing brands.

Mettler is bringing 16 years of experience in both the ocean and finance sectors. Prior to S2G, he was chief financial officer of Silver Bay Seafoods, and prior to that he was the director at KeyBanc Capital Markets, leading that firm’s seafood investment banking.

"We are excited to have Kate and Larsen joining our team to lead and launch this strategy," Managing Director of S2G Ventures Chuck Templeton said.  "They bring deep experience in working with entrepreneurs and are a great fit with our organization's culture and commitment to impact."