Driving resilience in the blue economy
Outrigger Impact is an innovative, impact-led blended finance fund manager mobilising capital at scale to drive transformative investment in the blue economy and strengthen environmental, social and economic resilience across island and coastal nations.
of excess heat is absorbed by the ocean
90%
of the oxygen we need comes from the ocean
71%
of our planet is covered by ocean
50%
The Opportunity
The ocean underpins the global economy, sustaining food systems, energy, trade and livelihoods. Yet blue economy businesses and infrastructure remain significantly underfinanced, particularly in island and coastal nations on the front lines of climate change.
Unlocking the ocean's economic potential requires new sources of flexible, fit-for-purpose capital that can support businesses, scale proven solutions and mobilise further investment.
US$3 trillion
1
projected annual value of the blue economy by 2030
150+ million
2
jobs supported by the ocean economy
US$175 billion
3
estimated annual financing needs to achieve SDG 14 by 2030
Our Strategy
Outrigger invests in the blue economy across six interconnected sectors, supporting businesses and projects that can generate commercial returns while strengthening the resilience of island economies and the ecosystems on which they depend.
Sustainable blue infrastructure
Technologies and efficiencies, including green/blue solutions to freight, passenger shipping, green ports and coastal defence.
Ocean-based renewable energy
Distributed wind, wave, solar and tidal power where investment provides innovation or uniquely leverages the ocean without detriment to biodiversity.
Circular economy & blue technology
Businesses that leverage ocean assets or directly prevent ocean degradation by using innovative new techniques or technologies such as plastic upcycling and waste management.
Sustainable seafood
Supporting best practice aquaculture, wild-caught seafood businesses and supply chains in SIDS that can be certified sustainable and access high-value markets domestically and globally.
Ridge to Reef
Supporting integrated solutions between agriculture, sustainable forestry and land use, recognising the importance of watersheds, run-off and coastal management.
Ocean conservation & ecotourism
Improving biodiversity and resilience in coastal communities, marine protected areas, ecotourism, payments for ecosystem services and blue carbon.
Our investment strategy focuses on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which we prefer to think of as “Big Ocean States.” These nations steward vast ocean resources, yet their economies and livelihoods are particularly exposed to climate change and environmental degradation. We see an opportunity to channel investment into commercially viable solutions that support long-term economic prosperity, healthy marine ecosystems and resilient communities.
Our Geography
Outrigger operates across global Small Island Developing States, including Sri Lanka since it faces similar challenges to SIDS.
How We Select Opportunities
We seek investments that combine commercial potential with meaningful, measurable impact. Our approach considers the following five key criteria.
Commercial viability
Businesses and projects with credible business models and the potential to deliver sustainable financial returns.
Structural need
Opportunities that address critical financing gaps or barriers to sustainable blue economy development.
Solutions that respond to the economic, environmental and social priorities of island and coastal nations.
Island relevance
Measurable environmental and social impact
Sustainable, inclusive businesses working with local stakeholders that demonstrate clear, measurable potential to strengthen social, climate and economic resilience.
Scalability
Business models and solutions with the potential to grow, replicate or attract additional capital to expand their impact.
Our Funding Vehicles
Outrigger Impact Fund I
Outrigger Impact Fund I is a blended finance vehicle providing equity and debt financing to blue economy businesses across Small Island Developing States. The Fund reached first close in July 2026, with cornerstone commitments from the Nordic Development Fund and the Luxembourg–European Investment Bank Climate Finance Platform. It is targeting a total fund size of US$100 million, with final close anticipated in 2027.
By combining catalytic capital with commercial investment, the Fund aims to unlock financing for businesses and projects that strengthen climate resilience, support sustainable livelihoods and protect the natural assets on which island economies depend.
Outrigger Technical Assistance Facility
The Outrigger Technical Assistance Facility (OTAF) complements the Fund by supporting the development of early-stage blue economy projects across Small Island Developing States. Through grant funding and technical assistance, OTAF helps projects strengthen their business models, build capacity and progress towards investment readiness.
By addressing early-stage barriers and supporting the development of a stronger pipeline of investable opportunities, OTAF helps lay the groundwork for future investment and contributes to a more resilient, sustainable blue economy.
Our Team
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Simon Dent
Managing Director
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Jeremy Milward
Managing Director
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Emma Lear
Head of ESG & Impact
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Inês Henriques
Head of Operations
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Abigail Mottur
Impact Finance Associate
