Regenerative seaweed startup secures new funding to boost smallholder farmer incomes, strengthen supply chains and support marine conservation. The investment will help the company expand a model designed to increase productivity among smallholder seaweed farmers, improve supply chain reliability for global processors, and strengthen marine ecosystem protection through regenerative farming practices.
PHILIPPINES / LONDON — Coast 4C, a regenerative seaweed company focused on supporting smallholder farmers and marine conservation, has secured an oversubscribed US$2.5 million seed funding round to scale its platform across Southeast Asia.
The investment will help the company expand a model designed to increase productivity among smallholder seaweed farmers, improve supply chain reliability for global processors, and strengthen marine ecosystem protection through regenerative farming practices.
The funding announcement was made on June 23, 2026.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
Major Investors Back Sustainable Aquaculture Growth
The seed round was led by Hatch Blue’s Blue Revolution Fund (BRF), a €92 million investment fund focused on sustainable aquaculture.
Co-investors include Conservation International Ventures, elea, RS Group, Potato Impact Partners, Minderoo Foundation, Kibo Invest and Azulito Fund, a donor-advised fund held at ImpactAssets.
The diverse group of investors includes family offices, venture philanthropists and venture capital funds, reflecting growing interest in sustainable ocean-based industries and climate-resilient food systems.
Addressing Challenges in the Global Seaweed Supply Chain
Southeast Asia produces the majority of the world’s carrageenan, a seaweed-derived ingredient widely used in food products, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
Despite the region’s dominant role in global production, supply remains fragmented across informal networks, creating challenges related to quality, consistency and farmer incomes.
Coast 4C seeks to address these challenges by connecting farmers directly with global buyers through a traceable and responsible supply chain model.
The company provides technical support, farming inputs and market access to help farmers produce high-quality red seaweed for processors around the world.
Supporting Farmers While Protecting Marine Ecosystems
Beyond improving economic opportunities, Coast 4C’s model is designed to strengthen environmental sustainability.
The company promotes regenerative farming practices and supports community-managed protected areas aimed at maintaining marine ecosystem health.
By linking livelihoods with conservation outcomes, the platform seeks to create long-term benefits for both coastal communities and marine environments.
Funding to Accelerate Growth and Digital Innovation
According to Coast 4C Founder and Chief Executive Officer Nick Hill, the new capital will be used to scale operations and strengthen the company’s technology platform.
“The successful completion of the funding round marks a pivotal moment for Coast 4C. We will use the proceeds from the seed round to reach breakeven ahead of a Series A round, driving scale initially within Southeast Asia before expanding into other regions. We also plan to expand our farmer network across coastal communities and complete the rollout of our digital farm management and traceability platform,” Hill said.
The planned expansion reflects the company’s ambition to strengthen transparency, productivity and market access throughout the seaweed value chain.
Investors Highlight Economic Opportunity for Coastal Communities
Lead investor Hatch Blue said the funding round reflects growing confidence that impact-driven businesses can attract institutional investment while delivering measurable social and environmental outcomes.
“Smallholder farmers have long been treated as grant recipients rather than equity-backed producers. Having supported Coast 4C through our accelerator and pre-seed fund, Hatch Blue has seen firsthand what this company is capable of. BRF’s investment is our way of proving that impact-oriented companies can sustain institutional capital, and that the sector is ready for it,” said Sol Park, Principal at Blue Revolution Fund, Hatch Blue.
Other investors pointed to the potential for seaweed farming to create sustainable livelihoods while supporting conservation efforts.
“We’re excited to partner with Coast 4C, one of the few entrepreneurial models building real economic opportunity for marginalized coastal communities. By turning seaweed farming into a viable livelihood, the company gives these communities both the means and the incentive to protect the marine ecosystems they depend on,” said Stéphanie Abels, Executive Director of elea.
Bernice Tang, Director of Impact Investments and Strategy at Potato Impact Partners, noted that Southeast Asia remains underfunded despite its importance to global seaweed production.
“There’s a lack of investment going to Southeast Asian seaweed despite it being one of the world’s top producers. The region faces a bottleneck in quality supply that has repercussions on the industry. We need companies like Coast 4C to help change that,” she said.
Global Partnerships Support Expansion Efforts
The Blue Carbon Action Partnership, an initiative hosted by the World Economic Forum and supported by the United Kingdom Government’s COAST programme, collaborated with the Asia Pacific Community of 1000 Ocean Startups to provide Coast 4C with a grant covering legal costs associated with closing the funding round.
The support highlights growing international interest in scaling ocean-based climate solutions and sustainable blue economy initiatives.
Announcement Made During London Climate Week
The funding round was announced during the Earthshot Prize Impact Assembly, held as part of London Climate Week and co-hosted by the Earthshot Prize and Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Coast 4C is participating in the event and was previously recognised as a finalist in the 2024 Earthshot Prize.
The Earthshot Prize was launched by Prince William in 2020 to accelerate innovative solutions addressing some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
Sustainable Seaweed Farming Gains Momentum in Southeast Asia
The successful fundraising round represents a significant milestone for Coast 4C as it seeks to scale regenerative seaweed farming across Southeast Asia.
By combining farmer support, supply chain transparency, marine conservation and digital innovation, the company is positioning itself within a growing sector that links economic development with environmental sustainability.
As global demand for responsibly sourced seaweed products continues to grow, the investment provides new momentum for efforts to strengthen coastal livelihoods while supporting healthier and more resilient marine ecosystems throughout the region.
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