A different approach to aquaculture: SEAWATER Cubes, winner of the BlueInvest Award 2024

The team and co-founders of SEAWATER Cubes: Christian Steinbach, Carolin Ackermann and Kai Wagner.
© SEAWATER Cubes

SEAWATER Cubes, a German startup founded in 2018, aims to transform seafood production with its modular decentralised aquaculture system. This alternative approach to conventional farming methods provides more sustainable seafood, supports global food security, and offers an innovative source of income for farmers.

Frankfurt airport is the biggest fish port in Europe!

'Our wake-up call was the realisation that Frankfurt airport is the largest fish port in Europe. Still today, tonnes of fish are transported by plane from all other the world to the end consumer in Europe,' says Carolin Ackermann, CEO and co-founder of SEAWATER Cubes. 'We do believe we need decentralised supply systems when it comes to food production.'

Our oceans face significant challenges due to overfishing, unsustainable practices, and the depletion of marine ecosystems. As demand for seafood grows with the global population, these issues will only worsen.

SEAWATER Cubes’ mission is therefore crucial: the future of our oceans, and the livelihoods of many, depend on innovative and sustainable solutions for seafood production.

Everyone can become a fish farmer

SEAWATER Cubes’ cutting-edge land-based modular systems provide better control over water quality and fish health, significantly reducing environmental impact. Their 'Recirculating aquaculture system' (RAS) use a closed loop to recycle water, reducing the environmental impact of fish farming.

The company also leverages fully automated software that integrates comprehensive fish data, making it much easier for new operators to access this industry.

'Our innovation isn’t just about producing fish; it’s about creating a balanced system that protects marine biodiversity and offers a reliable food source without harming the planet, all while strengthening the agriculture sector of tomorrow by enabling young farmers to diversify their traditional agri-business,' says Carolin Ackermann.

For example, the modular system’s wastewater, a nutrient-rich sludge, can be integrated into biogas fermentation processes. This coupling allows organic substances from fish farming to be transformed into renewable energy sources, reducing environmental strain and offering cost-saving benefits.

SEAWATER Cubes’ modular system can be combined with a biogas plant.
© SEAWATER Cubes

More differentiation in policy and investment support needed

Despite its innovative approach, SEAWATER Cubes and the broader sector face challenges. One key obstacle is the limited awareness of small-scale sustainable aquaculture solutions.

SEAWATER Cubes advocates for increased support from both public and private sectors and seeks greater collaboration with industry leaders, investors, and policymakers to accelerate the adoption of innovative approaches

People’s Choice Award winner of the BlueInvest Awards 2024

SEAWATER Cube receives the BlueInvest 2024 People’s Choice Award

'Participating in BlueInvest Day was very valuable for us to be recognised at the EU level. It boosted our visibility and credibility in the eyes of investors and partners,' CEO and co-founder Carolin Ackermann explains.

SEAWATER Cubes participated in the awards pitch battle of BlueInvest Day 2024, where they presented their solution to an investor jury and the conference attendees in the 'Sustainable Food and Feed from the Ocean' category. They were rewarded with the prestigious People’s Choice Award.

BlueInvest Day also offered SEAWATER Cubes with valuable opportunities to network with key stakeholders and validate their approach. 'This platform gives us the opportunity to connect with key players, and we hope for more collaborative support that accelerates the adoption of innovative approaches' adds Carolin Ackermann.

BlueInvest

BlueInvest is the EU's innovation and investment platform for the blue economy, offering business coaching, fundraising support, and networking opportunities for ocean technology companies. Interested individuals can register with the BlueInvest Community to explore programme features and opportunities or contact lu-blueinvestpwc [dot] lu (lu-blueinvest[at]pwc[dot]lu).