Restoring coastal ecosystems with Reefy and BlueInvest

Reefy founders, Jaime Ascencio and Leon Haines
©Reefy

Dutch start-up Reefy is at the forefront of restoring underwater ecosystems, tackling the alarming decline of marine life. With support from BlueInvest, Reefy secured €500,000 to pioneer their technology: stable modular reefs that help restore the environment and act as living breakwaters for coastlines suffering the effects of climate change.

Jaime Ascencio, CEO of Reefy, said: “At Reefy, our vision is to ensure that every underwater construction contributes positively to marine or freshwater biodiversity.”

The alarming decline of 50% of coral reefs since the 1950s underscores the critical need to address biodiversity loss.

Founders Jaime Ascencio and Leon Haines have witnessed firsthand how these rapid environmental changes impact local communities. In response, they created the Reef Enhancing Breakwater (REB), a groundbreaking modular system made from low-carbon concrete.

Wave forces hit the ReefBlocks right after installation, demonstrating stability in rough conditions
©Reefy

Unlike traditional infrastructure, the REB offers effective wave protection while supporting marine life, having proven to host five times more species and three times greater biodiversity than conventional alternatives.

Its unique system of tunnels enhances water flow, enabling filter feeders to improve surrounding water quality, effectively functioning as a massive biofilter. By employing smart design, the REB can reduce material volume by over 50% compared to traditional pyramid-shaped breakwaters.

This makes Reefy's solutions not only cost-effective in a resource-limited world but also beneficial for ecosystems and the economy, setting Reefy apart from existing technologies.

Colourful Shrimp (Palaemon serratus) showing the species diversity 5 months after installation of the Reef enhancing breakwater
©Reefy

BlueInvest in action

BlueInvest has been instrumental in Reefy’s journey. Winning the BlueInvest Awards 2021 during the BlueInvest Day pitch battle provided Reefy with valuable visibility and recognition.

Furthermore, the BlueInvest Readiness Assistance allowed Reefy to refine its business strategy. “Thanks to this support, we successfully closed our first investment round in 2022, raising over half a million euros from visionary investors in the Netherlands, Germany, and Spain,” said Jaime Ascencio, CEO of Reefy. "Together, we have the clear objective to build smarter and prove that working in harmony with nature is the best solution."

Looking ahead, Reefy aims to secure an additional €1 million to further scale its innovative solutions internationally as a one-stop-shop for biodiversity services and products in the water construction sector. With BlueInvest’s ongoing support, Reefy is well-positioned to make a significant impact on several Sustainable Development Goals, contributing to the fight against two major global challenges: climate change and the rapid decline in biodiversity.

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).