Pacific Hybreed, a Big Island-based aquaculture biotechnology company, has closed a $1 million funding round with participation from Hawaiʻi Angels and Blue Startups. The investment will support expansion of commercial-scale hatchery operations to meet growing demand from shellfish farmers across Hawaiʻi, the West Coast and beyond.
Pacific Hybreed is the first company to commercialize hybrid breeding in shellfish, applying the concept of hybrid vigor — a method long used in agriculture — to oysters and clams using traditional selective breeding techniques without genetic modification. The company’s seed has demonstrated approximately 30% greater yield and up to 50% reductions in harvesting costs due to uniform growth.
The company is already working with more than 20 farm customers and research sites across North America, and demand for its seed continues to outpace current production capacity. Pacific Hybreed will use the funding to scale hatchery production, expand farm-specific breeding programs and continue broadening into additional species beyond Pacific oysters.
Hawaiʻi Angels is a Honolulu-based network of early-stage investors that has supported founders in Hawaiʻi and beyond since 2002. Blue Startups is an accelerator focused on supporting high-growth technology companies with ties to Hawaiʻi.
KEY QUOTES:
“Closing this round allows us to move from proven field results to scaled commercial production at a critical moment for the industry. Hawaiʻi Angels and Blue Startups represent an incredible base of local support.”
Melissa DellaTorre, CEO, Pacific Hybreed
“Pacific Hybreed is addressing a critical bottleneck in aquaculture. Improving survival and yield at the seed level has a direct impact on farm economics and the resilience of the broader seafood supply chain.”
Rajeev Rai, Member and Deal Lead, Hawaiʻi Angels
