Narwhale ventures

Funding Blue Economy Startups

We invest in the Unicorns of the Sea

Named after the arctic whale that is often dubbed as unicorn of the sea for its large tusk, Narwhale Ventures is an ocean economy-focused impact-driven venture capital strategy. We provide early-stage financing to startups active in offshore renewable energy, marine mobility and sustainable ecosystems.

It is our believe that generating a positive sustainable impact for the environment and humankind by investing in new technologies that help mitigating the impact of climate change and allow for a more sustainable use of the ocean resource can also yield market returns for investors.

Why the Ocean?

The ocean plays a crucial role in supporting life on Earth and has significant economic, environmental, and societal importance. The ocean covers more than 70% of our planet’s surface and a plays a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of our ecosystem. It acts as a massive carbon sink, absorbing vast amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and helping regulate our climate. Additionally, the ocean is home to an incredible diversity of life, providing sustenance for billions of people and supporting countless industries.

The Vital Role of the Ocean

Climate Regulation

The ocean absorbs more than 90% of the excess heat trapped by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This heat absorption regulates global temperatures, preventing more extreme warming of the Earth’s surface. The heat is then redistributed by ocean currents.

Oxygen

The ocean generates approximately half of the Earth’s oxygen, meaning every other breath we take owes its existence to the sea.

Transport & Mobility

Nearly 90% of all goods worldwide (by volume) are transported by sea.

Food and Health

The global population is increasing to unprecedented levels. Today, already 3 billion individuals depend on seafood as their primary source of protein.

Our Mission

At Narwhale Ventures, we recognize the ocean’s indispensable role in supporting life, regulating climate, and nurturing biodiversity. Its vastness is not just a testament to nature’s wonder but also a lifeblood for humankind and our environment. We believe in the transformative power of innovation and entrepreneurship to address the world’s most pressing ocean-related challenges. We actively seek out and empower early-stage startups that hold the promise of advancing the ocean economy while playing a crucial role in climate mitigation. Through strategic investments, we aim to drive sustainable impact, foster innovation, and shape a future where the ocean’s health and our global climate are in balance.

Our Investment Themes

Energy

Harnesssing the Ocean’s Power


Potential	The potential for offshore renewable energy (ORE) is vast, and it plays a critical role in the global efforts to mitigate climate change.
New Frontiers	Floating wind and floating solar installations will unlock the untapped energy potential of regions previously underutilized, expanding our capacity to harness renewable energy sources.
E-Fuels	Green hydrogen and ammonia, produced through ORE will play an increasingly significant role in the future energy supply chain.
Access	ORE can provide energy to islands and remote communities that are not connected to an electricity grid.
Growing Ecosystem	The rapidly expanding offshore renewable energy industry is creating numerous economic opportunities and giving rise to a new network of suppliers, fostering innovation and growth within the sector.

Mobility

Decarbonization of Marine Vessels and Infrastructure


Maritime Transport	The transport of goods over the ocean is incredibly important to the global economy. In fact, it is estimated that around 90% of all traded goods are transported by sea.
GHG Emissions	While shipping is often the most cost-effective way to transport large volumes of good over long distances, the maritime industry is responsible for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions. It is estimated to contribute around 2-3% of global CO2 emissions, which makes it the sixth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world. Without intervention, this figure could rise substantially by 2050, given the expected growth in global trade.
Technology	New Technologies are playing a crucial role in the efforts to decarbonize the maritime industry, addressing the challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining efficiency and competitiveness.

Sustainable Ecosystems

Healthy Ocean & Healthy People


Seafood	More than 3 billion people rely on wild-caught and farmed seafood as a significant source of animal protein. To meet the nutritional demands of a growing global population and mitigate the dangers of over-fishing and environmentally harmful aquaculture practices, the implementation of innovative and sustainable solutions is imperative.
Plastic	It is estimated that around 8 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean every year. This amount is expected to increase if current trends continue, with some projections suggesting that the weight of plastic in the ocean could exceed that of all the fish by 2050.
Water	Freshwater represents a small fraction (2.5%) of the world’s water reserves. Given the limited availability of accessible freshwater and the growing demands from population growth, agriculture, industry, and other sectors, innovative solutions like improved water treatment and desalination are increasingly important in mitigating potential water shortage risks.

About us

Named after the arctic whale that is often dubbed as “unicorn of the sea” Narwhale Ventures is launched as a global investment program to provide early-stage financing to sustainability driven startups from the Blue Economy.

Narwhale Ventures is managed by 10power9, a privately-owned company, with presence in Asia and the EU. 10power9 provides financing to innovative SMEs and disruptive startups. 10power9 represents the mathematical expression for 1 billion (10^9). It is our audacious goal to positively impact the lives of 1 billion individuals.

10power9 was founded by Celine Schulze and Andreas Schulze. They are supported by a strong growing team of experienced industry professionals and sector experts from renowned academic institutions for the blue economy.

Celine Schulze

Co-Founder & Managing Partner

Celine has 15 years of experience in the financial investment industry, including a Shanghai-based VC, as well as Beijing- and Geneva based business angel networks. She has as master’s degree in Finance and an master’s degree in Business Psychology.

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Andreas Schulze

Co-Founder & Managing Partner

Andreas has more than 19 years’ experience in portfolio management. He started his career in asset management at Allianz Global Investors where he joined the global energy and commodities team as sector analyst. In 2009 he joined Swiss alternative asset manager Patrimonium where he managed several funds providing financing to around 200 SMEs in Europe with a combined financing volume of EUR 1.2bn. He has a diploma in International Business and holds a master’s degree in Economics.

LinkedIn

For Sustainable Oceans