Video game entrepreneurs have invested in company which makes acoustic deterrents for salmon farms.
In a press release, Dundee-headquartered Ace Aquatec writes that tech entrepreneurs Chris van der Kuyl and Paddy Burns have invested in the company. Ace Aquatec develops acoustic deterrent devices and electric stunners that are used by salmon farms such as Scottish Sea Farms and Loch Duart
The investment by the influential video game duo who run the game development group 4J Studios, best known for developing the Minecraft Console Edition ( bring the popular game to Xbox and PlayStation) follows a funding round last year led by Dutch investment fund Aqua-Spark.
The investment by Van der Kuyl and Burns will also see van der Kuyl join the board of Ace Aquatec as the company enters its next phase of growth. The company’s management team, led by CEO Nathan Pyne-Carter, plans to grow its team and regional support network.
Ace Aquatec CEO Nathan Pyne-Carter said: “Aquaculture is set to grow even quicker post-Covid and is seen by many commentators as one of the key drivers to address the onset of a global food crisis. As the industry grows, we are helping our customers support their own growth with the most sustainable and ethical products in the market.”
On the investment by van der Kuyl and Burns, Nathan Pyne-Carter added: “Chris and Paddy’s experience growing digital businesses will be a signifi-cant asset to our team as we strive to blend the best of physical and digital technologies to help our customers produce environmentally sustainable seafood.”
Chris van der Kuyl said he and Paddy were “delighted to invest in such a fantastic technology, manufacturing and innovation driven company.”
“Ace Aquatec has shown phenomenal global growth and ambition and I hope we can help bring our technology expertise to this world class organisation. Investing alongside management and an aquaculture specialist investor in Aqua-Spark gives us cause for great optimism and excitement for future developments,” he added.
