Biosort’s Board of Directors, from left: Stian Grieg (Grieg Kapital), Pål Brynsrud (Credo Partners), Carsten Krome (Hatch Blue), Geir Stang Hauge (CEO BioSort), Svein Idsø (Chair of the Board), Geir Molvik (former CEO Cermaq Group), Morten Mjøen (IVC), and Tore Hopen (Farvatn).
Photo: Ole C Jacobsen / Biosort
Norwegian aquaculture technology company Biosort has secured more than NOK 100 million (€8.87m / $10.44m) in new investment as it prepares to introduce its individual-based sea lice control system to the market.
The funding round brings in a group of aquaculture sector-focused investors, including Grieg Kapital and Hatch Blue, alongside IVC, Farvatn, Futurum Ventures and existing shareholders.
The company said the proceeds will be used to complete the final stage of development and support commercial deployment of its technology, which targets sea lice at an early stage on individual fish. By removing parasites continuously rather than relying on large-scale treatments across entire pens, the system is intended to limit lice build-up and reduce the need for well-boat operations.
“This funding takes us from development into commercial sales. Our focus is simple: continuous lice removal to suppress lice development and greatly reduce needs for well-boat treatments. The goal is improved welfare, lower mortality, better biological control, and ultimately making fish thrive,” said Geir Stang Hauge, chief executive of Biosort.
Established in 2010, Biosort has focused on developing machine vision and artificial intelligence tools that can recognise and monitor individual salmon through its FishID platform. The lice removal function is integrated with data collection at fish level, which the company argues can support more targeted health management.
The company is also known for its development license project iFarm, in collaboration with Cermaq, with the project recently receiving the green light from Norwegian authorities to convert its licenses to "regular" commercial fish farming permits.
Explaining the investment decision, Stian Grieg, investment manager at Grieg Kapital, said: “We have followed Biosort for several years and are impressed by the team and their technology. Sea lice remain one of the greatest challenges in salmon farming, and Biosort’s approach has the potential to improve both lice management and fish health. We are excited to support the company as it moves into commercialization.”
“There is a clear shift in the salmon industry toward stronger focus on fish health and greater adoption of new technology. Through Blue Revolution Fund, we invest in next-generation aquaculture solutions that improve health and sustainability,” added Carsten Krome, managing partner at Hatch Blue. “Together with a strong and experienced investor consortium, we believe Biosort is well positioned to contribute to the next phase of salmon farming.”