Shrimps are in great demand in kitchens worldwide, but their production often contributes to the destruction of delicate ecosystems such as mangrove forests. With the help of BlueInvest, the French start-up Agriloops has risen to the challenge by proposing pioneering innovative and sustainable solutions that redefine shrimp production and vegetable farming thanks to cutting-edge saltwater aquaponics technology.
The company is setting up its first industrial-scale production site in France, close to EU consumers. Jérémie Cognard, CEO and Co-Founder of Agriloops, recognises the key role of BlueInvest. “Thanks to BlueInvest, we were able to finalise our fundraising and secure investments, including support from the European Union, allowing us to launch Mangrove #1”.
Shrimp and vegetables grown sustainably with saltwater aquaponics farm
Agriloops has developed the world’s first saltwater aquaponics system, which combines shrimp farming with vegetable cultivation in a single circular ecosystem, Mangrove #1.
Shrimp are raised in saltwater ponds that produce nutrient-rich wastewater. Instead of discharging this wastewater into the environment, Agriloops transforms it into a natural fertiliser, which is then used to grow vegetables in adjacent greenhouses. The result is twofold: fresh, locally-produced “Never Frozen” shrimp alongside high-quality vegetables grown without pesticides or chemical inputs.
The benefits of Agriloops’ system are substantial.
- From an environmental perspective, the reuse of wastewater eliminates harmful discharges into natural ecosystems and reduces the need for expensive treatment processes.
- For consumers, it delivers fresh shrimp that meet the increasing demand for local, antibiotic-free seafood, as well as saltwater-grown vegetables, such as cherry tomatoes, that are richer in vitamins and flavour.
By producing locally, Agriloops strengthens economic resilience, reducing reliance on global supply chains while offering sustainable alternatives to imported goods. Jérémie Cognard states: “Our goal is really to use less and less resources, including water, input, and energy. If we can bring something that is around the same price but more local and sustainable, we can truly drive demand.”
With the aim of producing over 100 tonnes of shrimp and vegetables annually, the product offering has the potential to significantly impact the demand for sustainable consumer goods.
From prototype to industrial scale: Agriloops’ €13 million fundraising success
Agriloops secured €13 million in early 2024 to scale up its operations and establish its first industrial-scale farm. The facility includes a 5,000-square-metre greenhouse dedicated to vegetable production, and a 2,000-square-metre aquaculture plant for shrimp farming. The aquaculture facility is expected to be fully operational by April 2025.
As Jérémie explains: “From the very beginning, our goal was to industrialise and eventually build a network of farms. This marks the first step towards achieving that vision. It’s truly exciting to see our technology evolve from R&D into full-scale production.”
BlueInvest in action
Agriloops’ achievements also reveal the value of strategic support coaching programmes. As part of the BlueInvest Readiness Assistance Programme in 2023, the company worked closely with its BlueInvest coach for its ambitious fundraising objectives that would enable the leap from research and development to industrial-scale production. Jérémie states: “The coaching programme helped us refine our strategy, improve our pitch and prepare for growth. Moving forward, we see BlueInvest could be playing a key role in helping us expand across Europe.”
BlueInvest
BlueInvest is the EU’s innovation and investment platform for the blue economy, offering business coaching, fundraising support, and networking opportunities for ocean technology companies. Interested individuals can register with the BlueInvest Community to explore programme features and opportunities or contact [email protected].
More information
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/agriloops/?originalSubdomain=fr
