Building the Capital Stack for Ocean-Impact Ventures in the Global South
This interactive session explores how to mobilise fit-for-purpose capital for nature- and people-positive ocean ventures in Africa and the wider Global South. Drawing on OceanHub Africa’s experience in venture support, ecosystem building and catalytic finance, it will unpack the financing gap between pilot, validation and scale, share funder and entrepreneur perspectives, and invite participants to co-create practical pathways across the capital stack -from grants and technical assistance to catalytic finance, investment readiness and follow-on capital.
Framing
This section provides context for the event to ensure all participants, regardless of prior knowledge, are equipped to engage with the discussion.
Ocean-impact ventures are businesses addressing ocean health, climate resilience, biodiversity, pollution, ocean industries (eg coastal tourism, shipping, aquaculture, fisheries, ocean data, renewables, biotech…) and coastal livelihoods. This session draws from lessons learnt in Africa but invites perspectives from the wider Global South, where many ventures remain stuck between pilot, validation and scale because suitable capital is scarce. OceanHub Africa will share lessons from venture support, ecosystem building and catalytic finance: flexible, risk-tolerant funding that helps prepare ventures for investment.
