Details
- Publication date
- 12 April 2024
Description
The BlueInvest Investor Report 2024 offers a comprehensive overview of investment opportunities within the EU blue economy. However, its significance extends beyond investors, resonating with startups and stakeholders alike by furnishing invaluable insights into emerging trends, market dynamics, and growth prospects within this vibrant sector.
Encompassing all economic activities linked to the ocean, seas and coasts, the blue economy spans 10 sectors: aquaculture, blue biotechnology, blue renewable energy, blue tech and ocean observation, coastal and maritime tourism, environmental protection and regeneration, fisheries, shipbuilding and refit, shipping and ports and water management.
Five key insights shaping the landscape of blue economy investments in the EU:
1. Surge in Investment Volume: Over the past decade, investments in the blue economy have seen an exponential rise, totalling over €13 billion between 2018 and 2023, marking a threefold increase from a decade ago.
2. Increasing Deal Activity: Since 2018, there has been a steady rise in deal activity within the blue economy, with approximately 270 deals annually. Notably, the emergence of around 30 private equity and venture capital funds dedicated to blue economy investments underscores the sector's growing appeal.
3. Global Interest, Local Impact: While 75% of blue economy deals occur within the EU, half of the investors hail from non-EU countries, indicating the global allure of EU-based opportunities.
4. Diverse Investment Patterns: Mergers and acquisitions dominate the investment landscape, comprising 38% of deals, followed by early-stage equity investments at 34%. This diversity hints at the varied maturity levels across different segments of the blue economy.
5. Thriving Sectors and Opportunities: Blue renewable energy, blue tech, and ocean observation, along with aquaculture, emerge as the most dynamic sectors. Conversely, sectors like sustainable coastal tourism and environmental protection exhibit fewer deal closures, highlighting potential areas for growth.
