Aquapurna and BlueInvest: farming shrimp while protecting the planet

Aquapurna’s shrimp are on the market under the name ‘Gamba Zamba’.
© Aquapurna

Aquapurna, a German company, is transforming shrimp farming with a sustainable, holistic, and technology-driven approach. Using its innovative Smart Reef System, which reproduces the natural shrimp habitat, the company produces high-quality, sustainable shrimp.

This advanced, automated technology creates a controlled and stress-free environment that mimics nature, optimising both shrimp health and yield. With the support of BlueInvest, Aquapurna has successfully secured a substantial eight-figure investment from investors.

‘’BlueInvest brought us valuable ideas and expertise on finance that we managed to transfer into reality during our fundraising journey,’’ Aquapurna CEO David Gebhard said.

Aquapurna’s co-founders Florian Gösling and David Gebhard, with Marcus Thon (Head of R&D).
© Aquapurna

Aquapurna’s journey to sustainable shrimp farming

Aquapurna was launched four years ago, driven by a vision to develop scalable and cost-efficient solutions for shrimp farming. With a team of experienced experts and the establishment of Europe’s first R&D centre dedicated solely to shrimp recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), a period of dedicated research ensued.

Aquapurna achieved a breakthrough: it succeeded in increasing shrimp density in a sustainable, animal-friendly manner. At the same time, the company’s approached reduced power consumption by using a water treatment that is mostly based on the use of gravity. This innovation not only lowered production costs, but also allowed Aquapurna to expand beyond niche markets and bring its products to the European market.

Unlocking scalable, eco-friendly shrimp production

At the heart of Aquapurna’s success lies the company’s groundbreaking Smart Reef System, which reproduces the complex natural habitats where shrimp thrive. This patented tank interior allows three generations of shrimp to coexist seamlessly. The data-driven environment avoids manual handling, resulting in stress-free shrimp.

Healthy, relaxed shrimp have long, intact antennae, no wounds or scars, eat eagerly, move around actively, and swim in a controlled manner. They also grow quickly and have a high survival rate. How does Aquapurna makes sure its shrimp are stress-free? Unlike traditional farms that harvest 3 to 4 times a year, Aquapurna’s system allows for harvesting every 2 days. Aquapurna proves that you can feed a population, while leaving ecosystems untouched.

This is the L. vannamei species. The distinctive royal blue look is achieved through Aquapurna’s grow-out environment.

BlueInvest in action

At the beginning of its journey, Aquapurna launched a fundraising campaign to advance its technology and scale up production. The company applied for the BlueInvest Readiness Assistance programme to bolster its financial expertise and receive personalised guidance. They were matched with a financial expert.

Their coach supported Aquapurna in its fundraising preparations, especially project finance and banking. Building on personal experience, the coach prepared company representatives for investor expectations, crafting a compelling case and identifying suitable contacts.

Aquapurna was successful in raising of an impressive eight-figure sum. The company now focuses on achieving maturity, maintaining steady growth and expanding into new markets.

About BlueInvest

BlueInvest Readiness Assistance is an exclusive coaching programme. It targets high potential EU startups and SMEs with innovative and sustainable products and solutions for the Blue Economy. Businesses and projects selected for Investment Readiness Assistance will receive coaching packages tailored to their readiness levels and business objectives. The programme is impact-driven, with a clear focus on providing business support to help startups and SMEs build capacities for growth and attract investment.

Interested? Apply now by registering to the BlueInvest Community and completing the dedicated Readiness Assistance application form. The current application deadline is 1 August 2024. For any questions, reach out to us at lu-blueinvestpwc [dot] lu (lu-blueinvest[at]pwc[dot]lu).