Image Credit: linkedin: Faber

The maritime industry is currently facing one of its most critical transitions in modern history. The increasing regulatory pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, coupled with the rising operational costs of fossil fuel dependency, is forcing shipping companies to accelerate the adoption of clean technologies. Faber, an early stage venture capital firm headquartered in Lisbon, Portugal, plays a pivotal role in supporting startups that develop innovative solutions, including clean and renewable energy technologies that can be applied in maritime operations. 

Founded in 2012, Faber focuses on deep tech, climate tech, ocean technology, and data driven innovation to address pressing global challenges. Faber VC is a founder-first venture capital firm that partners with mission- and science-driven teams building deep-tech companies with global ambition. They target pre-Series A investments, often leading rounds, and have a strong emphasis on companies emerging from Southern Europe while also investing across Europe and the U.S.  In terms of support, Faber VC provides high-touch assistance: a resident core team with entrepreneurial experience, board-level support, and an extensive advisory network of founders, scientists, professors and industry executives. 

Their value-add covers company setup, back-office operations, legal & finance, hiring and team formation, business planning & development, product & technology strategy, and structuring financing rounds. Importantly, they begin collaborating with founders even before investment through special-purpose workshops, dedicated sprints, and thematic meet-ups among portfolio companies to promote cross-company synergies, share best practices as well as industry connections.  Their focus areas are at the intersection of science and technology with digital transformation and climate action. Specifically, they invest in:

• Applied Science & Digital Transformation: This includes vertical applied AI & AI governance, robotics, computational biology & chemistry, AI & data infrastructure, and novel computation paradigms. They seek founders developing deep-tech vertical industry solutions or platforms that cross industries. 
• Climate & Ocean Tech: They believe deep-tech is an urgent accelerator for ocean sustainability, climate action and decarbonising the global economy. They target solutions in blue biotech, food & feed from the ocean, ocean health & decarbonisation, ocean intelligence, desalination, and ocean energy.

The firm was founded by Alexandre Barbosa and Carlos Silva, who both envisioned building an ecosystem where technology and sustainability meet. Over the years, Faber has raised several funds aimed at different verticals, including climate and ocean innovation. Some key funding milestones are:

• 2018: Climate Tech Fund I raised €28 million to support early-stage environmental technology startups.
• 2022: Ocean Tech Fund raised €30 million, specifically focused on marine and blue economy startups.
• 2024: Faber Climate Tech II raised €50 million to accelerate deep tech climate solutions globally.

The firm also receives support from European institutional investors and private investors who align with decarbonization goals. This consistent funding enables Faber to provide not only capital but also operational support and strategic partnerships to startups innovating in critical sectors like maritime energy transition.

Portfolio

Faber’s portfolio consists of a diverse range of technology startups focusing on sustainability, artificial intelligence (AI), ocean observation, and renewable energy systems. These include:

• KOA Biotech – Shifting microbiological testing to reduce fish mortality caused by pathogenic infections.
• Ocean Ecostructure – Combating marine biodiversity loss through multi-technological solutions.
• B’zeos Green Tech – Developing novel bio-based packaging solutions for a more sustainable future.
• Poseidona – Producing sustainable proteins from algal waste and invasive biomass to create nutritious and appealing food products.
• Herving Marine – Empowering vessel operators and fleet managers with data-driven decision-making tools.
• Sea More Tech – Eliminating harmful brine disposal in the desalination industry through cutting-edge technology.
• Subdron – Providing advanced 3D scanning technology for underwater structures.
• Titanium – Developing clean technology solutions to prevent biofouling.
• 1S1 Energy – Creating affordable green hydrogen enabled by boron-based chemistry.
• Fuelsave – Developing fuel-saving technologies that enable more efficient diesel combustion for maritime vessels.
• MicroHarvest – Producing next-generation protein ingredients using microorganisms through biomass fermentation.

Faber has formed strategic partnerships with maritime research institutions, port authorities, and international accelerators. Key collaborations include projects with European Investment Fund and Techstars to support ocean tech startups. Some of their portfolio companies are also working with major European port operators and offshore energy firms. These partnerships ensure that technological solutions are tested in real-world maritime settings, scaling their impact globally.

References

• Faber. (n.d.). Faber VC Official Website. Retrieved from https://faber.vc
• European Investment Fund. (2024). Climate Tech Funding Report. Retrieved from https://www.eif.org
• Techstars Ocean Program. (2023). Maritime Innovation Partnership. Retrieved from https://www.techstars.com
• Barbosa, A., & Oliveira, C. (2022). Accelerating Ocean Innovation through Venture Capital. Lisbon: Faber Press. Retrieved from https://faber.vc
• EU Blue Economy Report. (2024). Offshore Renewable Energy Integration in Maritime Operations. Retrieved from https://blue-economy.eu