VentureSoul Partners has invested INR 20 Cr in debt funding in seafood startup Captain Fresh
The investment is part of a larger funding round that includes both equity and debt components
The Bengaluru-based startup plans to use the fresh capital for business expansion and growth initiatives
Bengaluru-based seafood startup Captain Fresh has secured INR 20 Cr ($2.3 Mn) in debt funding from VentureSoul Partners, marking its third investment from maiden debt fund.
The investment is a part of a larger funding round comprising both equity and debt components.
Captain Fresh has declined to comment on Inc42’s queries on the development.
“Captain Fresh has demonstrated an ability to successfully integrate large acquisitions. With access to multiple products and presence across multiple geographies, they are poised to break out both on revenue and profitability,” VentureSoul Partners’ cofounder and managing partner Kunal Wadhwa told Inc42.
He added that the startup’s promoter and management teams stand out as one of the most critical aspects of credit assessment.
Founded in 2020, Bengaluru-based Captain Fresh operates as a tech-led, vertically integrated seafood company. The startup’s brand portfolio includes CenSea in the US, Koral in Europe and Senecrus in France.
It plans to deploy the fresh capital for business expansion and growth initiatives.
Captain Fresh counts Accel, Prosus, Matrix Partners, Tiger Global, SBI Japan, Ankur Capital, British International Investment (BII) and Nekkanti Group among its marquee backers.
Prior to this, the startup raised $12 Mn from Motilal Oswal Alternates in December 2024. Prior to that, in February, it raised $32 Mn from British International Investment (BII) and Nekkanti Seafoods Group.
Founded in 2019 by Utham Gowda, Captain Fresh operates as a farm-to-retail platform for fish, seafood and shrimp. While the startup initially focused on B2B and B2B2C channels in India, it has reportedly discontinued B2B operations in most cities, with B2B2C operations now limited to a few locations.
The company is currently expanding its presence in international markets, with offices across India, the US, Dubai, Paris, Oslo, Amsterdam and Madrid.