Neptune to targets investments in the aquaculture value chain through a private equity fund called Neptune Aquaculture PE Fund. “We are very excited to build out NAPE I and start to realize the enormous potential that the aquaculture industry offers”.
In a press release, founding partner Thor Talseth has announced a partnership with Stafford, a global alternatives manager with over USD 5 billion of assets under management across real assets and private markets, to form Neptune.
Talseth is an aquaculture industry veteran and former Private Equity Executive at AMERRA Capital Management in New York. Jos Boeren, Head of Stafford Ag & Food, will be joining the board of Neptune.
Targeting medium sized aquaculture companies in Europe, the Americas and Australasia
Neptune has launched a private equity fund called Neptune Aquaculture PE Fund (“NAPE I”). NAPE I is targeting investments in the aquaculture value chain.
“With its unparalleled growth, competitive ESG parameters and substantial development potential, the global aquaculture industry offers great opportunities for investors”, said Talseth.
“NAPE I is targeting medium sized aquaculture companies in Europe, the Americas and Australasia. We are partnering with business owners and robust management teams to deliver lasting operational improvement and sustainable growth”. “ESG is at the heart of everything we do”, said Talseth.
“Aquaculture is fundamentally about working with nature to create value. We abide by the highest performance standards and are relentless in our focus on driving production improvements and measurable ESG outputs that satisfy customers, regulators and investors alike”.
AquaShip
Neptune achieved a first close in NAPE I in Q3 2019 and an initial controlling investment in AquaShip, together with AMERRA Capital Management, was completed in September.
“Neptune is committed to building value for our investors by investing in well positioned companies with significant growth potential”, said the Neptune founder.
“We have a robust pipeline of investment opportunities worldwide. Our first investment into AquaShip, a leading integrated service-vessel company serving the global aquaculture industry, provides a good illustration of how we invest in well positioned platform companies that we will develop and grow organically and through acquisitions.”
“We’re delighted to have partnered with Thor to form Neptune”, said Jos. “Thor’s operational track record and credibility within the industry, leading ESG credentials and deep industry insight are well known. We are further excited by this opportunity to bring the aquaculture industry, which has such strong value creation potential, to our global investor base”.
Enormous potential
“The aquaculture sector is substantial in size and growing strongly but remains significantly under-invested and highly fragmented. There is a tremendous opportunity to consolidate and expand businesses operating in the sector – right across the value chain.”
“Stafford’s position in the market as a leading global alternatives manager makes them a good fit for Neptune. Together we have built an investment platform that offers investors access to the compelling aquaculture industry through a team of industry specialists, backed by a significant and well-capitalized partner. We are very excited to build out NAPE I and start to realize the enormous potential that the aquaculture industry offers,” concluded Talseth.
