According to BlueInvest’s 2026 report, published on Monday 13 April by the European Commission, Europe’s blue economy sector is attracting more and more private capital, despite persistent challenges.
With €11 billion of assets under management dedicated to the blue economy in Europe, including €3 billion held by fully specialised funds, the potential is considered immense. Venture capital (VC) funds dominate the landscape, accounting for 105 of the 159 funds listed, while private equity (PE) and corporate venture capital (CVC) funds are less numerous. France, the Netherlands, the UK and Norway are among the most dynamic hubs, driven by innovative ecosystems and strong public support.
Marine renewable energy, water management, as well as ports and maritime transport are particularly attractive to investors, with 41%, 39% and 46% of funds, respectively, viewing these areas as appealing. Aquaculture and blue biotechnology, while promising, are still struggling to gain traction due to their limited maturity and perceived higher risks.
But there are still obstacles: Sixty-five percent of asset managers believe that it is difficult to find exit opportunities and 70% cite economic uncertainty as their main challenge. The modest size of these funds (40% manage less than €50 million) also limits their ability to support the growth of start-ups, according to the report.
Industry stakeholders are calling for strengthened public incentives, such as grants and blended finance solutions, in order to de-risk investment.
The report: https://aeur.eu/f/lj5 (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)