Coral Vita, a leading commercial coral reef restoration company, has raised over $8 million in Series A funding, a significant milestone for the ecological regeneration industry. This round was led by Builders Vision, with participation from investors like Katapult Ocean and iAlumbra.
Using innovative techniques such as microfragmentation and assisted evolution, Coral Vita enhances coral survivability in response to rising ocean temperatures. The company operates on a mission-driven for-profit model, allowing for sustainable growth without relying on traditional grants. In 2021, it was recognized as the inaugural winner of Prince William’s Earthshot Prize.
Since 2015, Coral Vita has cultivated over 100,000 corals across 52 species in locations such as the Bahamas, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, thereby significantly boosting fish populations. Coral reefs, which support 25% of marine life and generate about $2.7 trillion annually, face dire threats from climate change, making innovative restoration efforts crucial for their preservation.
How the funding will be used: The Series A investment will enable Coral Vita to expand its operations, enhance research and development, and increase its overall impact and reach.
KEY QUOTES:
“We are proving that the blue economy and ecological infrastructure is investable, profitable, and impactful, and that ecosystem restoration is everyone’s responsibility. This funding is a testament to the viability of investing in ecological infrastructure. Our mission is to restore and preserve the world’s coral reefs, which are vital to marine biodiversity, economic prosperity, and the livelihoods of a billion people globally.”
Sam Teicher, co-founder and Chief Reef Officer of Coral Vita
“Coral Vita and Builders Vision share the understanding that ocean health and economic health go hand in hand. Coral Vita’s pioneering, scalable solution for reef restoration stood out to us as investors because it creates real global market value that extends well beyond their Bahamian home. They employ cutting-edge genetic technology to enhance coral survivability and have an exciting business model that is seeing strong organic growth and sales from a diverse customer base. We are proud to lead the first successful Series A round for a business focused on coral restoration.”
Lukas Walton, Founder and CEO of Builders Vision
