🌐 Meetup - Ocean Cluster: Investing in the Bay Area Blue Economy
⛴ Blended (Blue) Finance for Public Benefit 🌊
Join us for this 🌐 9Zero Ocean Cluster Special Edition in partnership with Hub for Blue Green Innovation, Plastic Odyssey, and Greenwater Foundation.
This gathering brings together blue finance professionals, innovators, investors, and mission-driven organizations shaping the future of the Bay Area’s Blue Economy. We’ll explore how capital — from public, private, and philanthropic sources — can fuel ocean innovation and deliver measurable environmental and social impact.
Whether you’re building, funding, or supporting climate and ocean solutions, this session is for you.
If you find this event sold out, it will be repeated the following evening in Alameda. Join us there!
https://luma.com/j6nw5t3d
💸 About the Discussion
Capital to build a business can come from a mix of public and philanthropic funding, or private-sector investment.
Blue economy ventures are often uniquely positioned to tap into both — blending finance sources to accelerate innovation and public benefit.
As the Ceres Investor Network notes:
“Key drivers of nature loss have the potential to cost eight key sectors up to $430 billion per year, globally.”
Join our panel to learn how investors and founders across the spectrum are driving growth in ocean-positive business — and why impact and profitability don’t have to be at odds.
🎙️ Panelists
Alicia Hernández Arriaga – Investment & Impact Associate, Seabird Ventures, Sustainable Ocean Alliance.
Seabird Ventures invests in ocean health startups focused on climate, pollution, blue foods, and ocean data.
Mariane Bekker – Managing Partner, Founders Bay
Investor and tech executive leading frontier tech ventures through multiple acquisitions and an IPO; community of 80K+ founders and VCs.
Maggie Fried – Vice President, Corporate Development, S2G Investments.
S2G Ventures is a multi-stage investment firm that makes money by investing in and growing businesses in the food, agriculture, oceans, and energy sectors.
Elias Van Sickle – Founder & COO, Switch Maritime
Building and leasing zero-emission vessels to operators adopting battery and hydrogen fuel cell technology.
Marisa Sweeney – Principal, S2G Ventures
Formerly at Generate Capital, investing over $1B in sustainable infrastructure — from solar and renewable fuels to waste and water systems.
Carlos Vadillo – Managing Partner, Mir Meridian
Formerly with Silicon Valley Bank Capital and The Wharton Fund. Advisor to Hub for Blue Green Innovation.
Moderated by Clark Suprynowicz, Executive Director, Hub for Blue Green Innovation.
🌊 BYO Drinks & Food – Because we love Reuse, Not Plastic!
This is a Bring Your Own Drinks & Food event! 🌎✨ In the spirit of ocean conservation and sustainability, we encourage you to ditch the single-use plastics and bring your own reusable cups, bottles, and snacks. Think of it as an opportunity to refill, not landfill! ♻️
🧭 Hosted by
Hub for Blue Green Innovation – A service organization connecting Bay Area blue economy companies with allies and investors.
Greenwater Foundation – A nonprofit connecting scientists with research vessels and assets for marine research and conservation.
Plastic Odyssey Fund: A nonprofit mobilizing U.S. philanthropy, foundations, corporations, and individuals to support Plastic Odyssey’s global missions for ocean restoration and education.
9Zero: A members-only community of founders, investors, scientists, and innovators accelerating climate solutions through meaningful relationships. Apply to join at www.9Zero.com
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This is a 🌐 9Zero Cluster Meetup, topic-specific groups led by subject matter experts. With in-person meetups and online tools, they help 9Zero members meet others in their area of interest.