TOKYO—MOL PLUS Co., Ltd. (CEO: Takuya Sakamoto; Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo) today announced its intent to invest in the “Katapult Ocean Deep Blue Fund 1 (Note 1)” operated by Katapult Ocean AS (CEO Ocean: Jonas Skattum Svegaarden; Headquarters: Norway).
The fund is unique in that it focuses primarily on the blue economy from the seed stage to Series B, investing in startups related to the marine domain, including food, energy, transport, circular resources, and water. Its focus is global, with a primary allocation to high-tech businesses in Europe and North America. With each of its investments, Katapult’s intention is always to make the industry’s relationship with the ocean sustainable, with a positive impact over the long term. To that end, Katapult Ocean has built a strong network in the blue economy, with an annual reach of over 1,000 startups and nearly 70 investments to date.
’Katapult Ocean is extremely excited to deepen its partnership with MOL PLUS- there is a strong alignment between the mission and vision of our organizations, and an active collaboration between industry and entrepreneurship is an important bridge to enable the industrial transition needed in the blue economy and more widely.’’ Jonas Skattum Svegaarden, CEO, Katapult Ocean.
MOL PLUS will strengthen its investment and collaboration with startups in the following fields.
- Blue Economy x Ocean Shipping
MOL PLUS will create new businesses in the blue economy by combining MOL’s know-how accumulated in the ocean shipping industry with the unique initiatives of blue economy startups. - Impact Investment x Ocean Shipping
In recognition of the maritime industry's close connection to issues such as climate change and decarbonization, MOL PLUS will implement investments aimed at achieving its social and environmental targets. Katapult Ocean makes impact investments that assess the extent to which an investment will bring about social and environmental change at the time of investment. Through co-investment with Katapult Ocean, MOL PLUS will maximize its positive social and environmental impact.
MOL PLUS continually works to generate synergetic effects based on startup companies’ innovative ideas and technologies and the MOL Group’s resources through investment in and collaboration with startups, aiming to create new businesses PLUS new value to the ocean shipping industry and society.
(Note 1) Outline
Website：https://katapult.vc/ocean/
For further information, please contact:
MOL PLUS (website: https://en.molplus.net/)
Tel: +81-3-3587-7643/Email: molplus@molgroup.com