Mer Angels
Thematic business-angel club for the blue (maritime) economy, launched by France Angels in Dec 2017; 50+ members back early-stage ocean startups with rounds of €150k–€500k+.
- HEADQUARTERS
- Paris, France
- FOUNDED
- 2017
- AUM
- —
- OUTSIDE CAPITAL
- —
- TEAM LISTED
- 8 people
Focus
- STAGES
- Pre-SeedSeed
- SECTORS
- Industrial & ManufacturingDeep TechClimate & EnergyMobility & LogisticsSoftware & SaaSBiotech & Life SciencesFood & Agriculture
- ASSET MIX
- Venture capitalImpact
- GEOGRAPHY
- France
Overview
Mer Angels is a club of business angels and entrepreneurs focused on the maritime economy, launched by the France Angels federation at the Paris boat show in December 2017 and registered as a Paris association in 2021. It finances early-stage startups in naval and nautical industry, maritime defence, marine biotech, aquaculture, maritime software and transport, with tickets of €150k to €500k+, and organises members into Mediterranean and Atlantic poles. The site reports 18 startups, over €5M invested and 50+ business angels; holdings include 52 Hertz, BirdyFish, NepTech and Ocean Skills.
Investment thesis
Innovative early-stage startups of the blue economy (naval and nautical industry, maritime defence, marine biotechnologies, aquaculture, maritime software and services, maritime transport), with an emphasis on ocean preservation, marine biodiversity and decarbonisation of the maritime economy; tickets €150k–€500k+.
PORTFOLIO (18)
- TOWTNOTABLEMobility & Logistics
- BirdyFishIndustrial & Manufacturing · since 2025
- 52 HertzDeep Tech · since 2024
- eyeGaugeSoftware & SaaS · since 2023
- IzyseaSoftware & SaaS · since 2023
- Ocean SkillsSoftware & SaaS · since 2023
- NepTechMobility & Logistics · since 2023
- Capt’n BoatSoftware & SaaS
- AthanorDeep Tech
- AzuviaBiotech & Life Sciences
- CobratexBiotech & Life Sciences
- DiodonDeep Tech
- InalveFood & Agriculture
- FalcoSoftware & SaaS
- Bird-e-MarineIndustrial & Manufacturing
- FinXIndustrial & Manufacturing
- InternestIndustrial & Manufacturing
- SurloSoftware & SaaS
People
- Jean-Paul CostesPresident, Dealflow Manager · source
- Jean-François ThauExecutive Director · source
- Sylvain GodardChief Operating Officer · source
- Jean-François TreccoMediterranean Pole · source
- Pascal PrudhommeAtlantic Pole · source
- Emmanuel GouraudPublic Affairs · source
- Philippe GuignéDigital Expert · source
- Didier ProtatHonorary President · source
Links
Frequently asked questions
Mer Angels is a angel network based in Paris, France, founded in 2017.
Yes. Mer Angels invests its own capital in private companies.
Mer Angels invests at Pre-Seed and Seed stages in Industrial & Manufacturing, Deep Tech, Climate & Energy, Mobility & Logistics, Software & SaaS, Biotech & Life Sciences and Food & Agriculture.
Mer Angels's stated ticket size is €150K–€500K.
Key people at Mer Angels include Jean-Paul Costes (President, Dealflow Manager), Jean-François Thau (Executive Director), Sylvain Godard (Chief Operating Officer) and Jean-François Trecco (Mediterranean Pole).
Mer Angels's investments include TOWT, BirdyFish, 52 Hertz, eyeGauge, Izysea, Ocean Skills, NepTech and Capt’n Boat, among others.
The most recent publicly reported investment by Mer Angels is BirdyFish (€2M second round (follow-on) with Ouest Angels, Mer Invest, Bpifrance, Crédit Maritime Grand Ouest and Crédit Agricole Atlantique Vendée), announced in Jan 2025.
Mer Angels states that it accepts submissions through its official contact page.