The world’s most active ocean impact investor

Jonas is CEO of Katapult Ocean. He has two decades of experience from global asset management, and has deep financial and impact investing expertise. Prior to Katapult, Jonas co-founded a sustainable hedge fund recognized as the best-performing Nordic fund and Norway's only eco-labeled hedge fund. He also spent nine years at Svenska Handelsbanken Capital Markets, responsible for $60 billion in multi-asset portfolios. At Katapult, Jonas has led Katapult Ocean the last six years, investing in 70 ventures and growing the company from Europe to Asia and Africa. Jonas is a non-executive director of several companies and organizations globally such as Norwegian Advisory Board for Impact Investing and Katapult Foundation. Jonas is also the CIO of Katapult's 190 portfolio companies.

jonas@katapult.vc

https://www.linkedin.com/in/svegaarden/

Tharald Nustad is a Norwegian serial entrepreneur, impact investor, and Founder of Katapult Ocean and the Katapult Group. After building and exiting technology companies, he shifted to impact investing in 2014. Through Katapult, Tharald has launched 200+ impact-driven startups, working with founders and investors to scale innovation into high-impact businesses. With a physics background and early investments in Otovo and Huddly, he's committed to mobilizing capital toward ocean health and regenerative outcomes, co-initiating TWIST to advance systems-level change in impact investing.

tharald@katapult.vc

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tharaldnustad/

Ross is a General Partner at Katapult Ocean. He is an economist by training with a deep interest in environmental economics. His mission is to help bridge the gap between financial markets and natural capital systems, which he believes is key to unlocking regenerative growth and prosperity. Ross has worked within the investment management industry for 13 years, previously at Baillie Gifford and LeapFrog Investments.

ross@katapult.vc

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ross-brooks-61206838/

Ingrid is the Impact Director of Katapult Ocean, where she’s been working since 2020. With 17 years of impact-experience, she leads the organisation's impact and ESG work. As the previous co-chair of the 1000 Ocean Startups coalition, Ingrid was instrumental in the development and implementation of the Ocean Impact Navigator, a tool to standardize impact KPIs for the ocean-tech sector. Ingrid holds an MSc in Economics and Business Administration from the Norwegian School of Economics, has experience from working with social entrepreneurs in the Norwegian family-owned investment company Ferd, and from funding and managing social impact projects at the Norwegian Confederation of Sports.

ingrid@katapult.vc

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingridmaurstad/

Paulina serves as Finance Manager at Katapult Ocean, where she oversees financial management, reporting, and operational finance across the fund manager and its funds. Since joining Katapult in 2020, she has played a key role in building and supporting the platform’s financial infrastructure, with a focus on robust reporting, compliance, and strong financial governance. She holds an MSc in International Business from Copenhagen Business School and is originally from Sweden. She is deeply passionate about the ocean and driven to support companies that contribute to a more sustainable and resilient ocean economy.

pj@expgroup.no

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulina-jaeck-45a60a3a/

Odd Egil serves as the Group CFO and is a Board Member at Katapult Ocean. He is central to the financial oversight and strategic governance of Katapult’s investment platform, focusing on scaling a global portfolio of transformative technology solutions. Previously, he held executive leadership roles as CFO and CEO within international private investment groups, specializing in active ownership and portfolio management. A state-authorized auditor, Odd Egil focuses on M&A, corporate strategy, and financial reporting. He is driven by the mission of building sustainable businesses that deliver measurable global impact.

oek@expgroup.no

https://www.linkedin.com/in/odd-egil-kanestr%C3%B8m-61008994/

Helena is Marketing and Communications Manager at Katapult Ocean, amplifying the brand and driving visibility for ocean-positive solutions. She brings strategic communication and stakeholder engagement expertise from leading communications for Energy Valley, a renewable energy cluster, and from NORSAR, where she established a global network for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization. With an academic background in international relations and organization studies, Helena loves translating complex solutions into compelling narratives and facilitating cross-industry collaboration. She's focused on making the case for ocean investment, believing real progress emerges from strong stakeholder partnerships and effective storytelling.

helena@katapult.vc

https://www.linkedin.com/in/helena-jensby/

Ewa is the Accelerator Program Manager at Katapult Ocean, where she leads the design and delivery of programs supporting ocean-impact startups from seed to Series A within the portfolio. She brings over 15 years of experience in startup support, innovation ecosystem building, and program management across deep tech, sustainability, and maritime sectors. Her expertise spans venture acceleration, impact-driven innovation, and the blue economy. Passionate about scaling purpose-led solutions, she is driven by a mission to help founders build technologies that advance a thriving, sustainable ocean economy.

ewa@katapult.vc

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ewaropela/

Sam is an Investment Manager at Katapult Ocean, responsible for sourcing and investing into the highest financial- and impact-return oceantech opportunities, catalyzing capital growth through co-investors and financial partners, and providing hands-on support to help founders scale globally. Sam builds trust-based relationships with entrepreneurs and partners, leveraging blue economy consulting and investment experience with a markets mindset, honed during his years in structured derivatives solutions for pensions, endowments, and asset managers at Deutsche Bank and Bank of America Merrill Lynch. He complements this experience with degrees in Economics and Public Policy from Duke University and an MBA from University of Virginia Darden focused on impact investing and entrepreneurship.

sam@katapult.vc

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-selig/

Anthony is an Investment Manager at Katapult Ocean, where he leads early-stage investments in ocean and climate technology, with a focus on maritime decarbonization (wind propulsion, onboard carbon capture, alternative fuels), ocean energy, and water systems. Over his 10-year career, he has led and co-led 60+ investments and held multiple board and governance roles, including serving as Board Observer for KO portfolio company, Carbon Ridge. Previously, he invested with LaunchCapital and Entrepreneur First and was COO on the founding team at GoingVC, a global VC career accelerator. As a Rhode Island “Ocean State” native, he’s long had ties to the ocean, and is driven by backing founders building technologies that leave it, and the world, better than they found it.

anthony@katapult.vc

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonybellafiore/

Yubing is an Investment Analyst at Katapult Ocean, where she focuses on sourcing and evaluating early-stage ventures advancing ocean sustainability. Her experience spans the climate tech ecosystem, from offshore wind development and renewable energy software to international conservation. She graduated from Cornell University with a double major in Environment & Sustainability and Information Science. At Katapult, Yubing is passionate about scaling bold, innovative ideas into tangible solutions that regenerate and protect our oceans.

yubing@katapult.vc

https://www.linkedin.com/in/yubingyang/

Dennis is the Systemic Ocean Investment Lead at Katapult Ocean, developing holistic investment strategies to address planetary challenges. He also serves as Senior Advisor at the Oceano Azul Foundation. Previously, he led the United Nations' Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Initiative, connecting financial institutions to promote sustainable ocean economies aligned with UN SDG 14. He established the research department at Responsible Investor and consulted for the European Commission's BlueInvest Fund. In 2023, Dr. Fritsch was named a Protect.Blue Wavemaker and selected as an expert contributor to the UN's 3rd World Ocean Assessment. His expertise covers blue economy finance, conservation, and climate.

dennis@katapult.vc

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-dennis-fritsch-52909511b/

Lu is the Africa Deal Flow Lead at Katapult Ocean, with over 20 years of experience in impact investing across Southern and East Africa. She previously worked with venture capital firms Knife Capital and E-Squared Investments, supporting the growth of early-stage, high-impact ventures. Lu now leads a Norad-funded initiative to expand deal flow and catalyze investment into early-stage ocean impact startups across Africa. She is based in Cape Town and holds a BSc (Hons) in Economics and an MBA from Wits Business School.

lucretia@katapult.vc

https://www.linkedin.com/in/luchopera/

Ofek is a Venture Capital Scout at Katapult Ocean, where he helps map and strengthen Africa's blue economy ecosystem by sourcing and evaluating early-stage ocean-impact startups across the continent. He previously worked in product and business development at early-stage climate tech and sustainability startups, helping founders build and scale in fast-moving environments. Based in Cape Town, he is also an award-winning underwater photographer with a lifelong connection to the ocean, and his images are used throughout Katapult Ocean's reports and marketing materials.

ofek@katapult.vc

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ofekl/

May is CEO and Executive Director of OCTAVE Capital and Managing Director of Asia Ocean Fund, where she also serves on the Investment Committee and Board. She brings more than 20 years of experience across investment, corporate strategy and sustainability, including leading global climate-tech investments focused on deep decarbonisation. Previously, she held senior roles in energy utilities, driving innovation and integrating sustainability into business strategy, following a career in investment banking and corporate finance across the US and Asia. Her work connects disciplined investing with measurable environmental and social impact.

mayliew@octavecapital.co

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayliew/

Maureen is Impact Director at Asia Ocean Fund, helping establish the fund's presence in Asia from Singapore. She brings more than 15 years of experience in large-scale industrial operations, including roles as Process Engineer and Chief Technology Officer, and is CEO and Co-founder of KUL Loesninger 3. She moved into ocean impact investing to apply her technical and operational experience to scaling ocean solutions across Asia-Pacific. Maureen works closely with founders, investors, corporates and policymakers, building trusted partnerships across industries and cultures.

maureenbresil@asiaoceanfunds.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureen-br%C3%A9sil-b9bbb6116/

Axel is Investment Director at Asia Ocean Fund. Over more than a decade in venture capital, he has deployed over US$100 million across 40 startups, with exits through IPOs, acquisitions and trade sales. His experience spans maritime and logistics technologies, including wind-assisted propulsion. Axel has built investment teams, founded a transport-focused corporate venture capital platform, and worked with founders and corporates to develop and scale new businesses. He brings a practical understanding of how early-stage technologies gain traction in established industries.

axeltan@asiaoceanfunds.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanaxel/

Tuan is Accelerator Director at Asia Ocean Fund. He brings more than a decade of experience helping emerging technologies scale across sustainability, government technology and healthcare, with a focus on market entry and strategic partnerships. Previously, he led startup go-to-market initiatives at AWS across Asia-Pacific and Japan. At SGInnovate, he built corporate-startup collaborations and helped grow AI and deep-tech communities to more than 80,000 members. His experience also includes working with enterprises, governments and organisations such as the World Economic Forum and UNDP to support technology adoption across borders.

tuannguyen@asiaoceanfunds.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nguyenat/

JY is Managing Director at OCTAVE Capital and an Investment Advisor to Asia Ocean Fund. He brings more than 20 years of experience across investment, strategy and operations. Previously, he led Asia growth equity investments for a European family office, covering sectors including agri-food, healthcare and talent development. Earlier in his career, he structured more than US$10 billion in transactions at Rabobank and Mizuho Bank. With operational experience in China and an active role as an angel investor and mentor, JY combines financial expertise with a hands-on understanding of building businesses across Asia.

jeanyveschow@octavecapital.co

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jychow/

Yann is Senior Investment Associate at Asia Ocean Fund, focused on identifying and backing the most promising companies transforming ocean industries across Asia-Pacific. His experience spans climate and ocean venture capital, including investment analysis, due diligence and portfolio support across emerging markets. He works closely with founders and ecosystem partners to evaluate high growth opportunities and their pathways to commercial scale. An ESSEC Business School alumnus, Yann combines a commercially grounded investment approach with a focus on measurable environmental impact.

yannvaudin@asiaoceanfunds.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vaudinyann/

Beniamino leads the Africa initiatives of Katapult, driving strategic projects and innovation across the continent’s rapidly evolving impact ecosystem. Prior to joining Katapult, Beniamino held several key leadership roles within high-growth startups. In these roles, he spearheaded digital transformation and strategic growth initiatives, guiding companies from early-stage development to scale and successful exits. His cross-sector experience spans critical industries within the climate and sustainability arena—including energy, agriculture, e-commerce, supply chain, and fintech.

bruno@katapult.vc

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bbeniamino/

Shivni is an Investment Analyst at Katapult, where she works on deal flow origination and selection across Katapult Africa and Katapult Ocean Africa. Prior to Katapult, she worked at an investment bank in the Sales and Wealth Management division, gaining experience in client advisory, portfolio management, and financial markets. She holds a Bachelor of Business Science in Finance from the University of Cape Town and has completed CFA Level I.

shivni@katapult.vc

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivni-bhudia/