Singapore-based prawn aquaculture startup Vertical Oceans has announced the appointment of Patrick Vizzone as its co-founder and Chief Financial Officer.
An Australian who has lived in China and Japan since 1993, Vizzone brings extensive experience from the agri-food sector, finance and investing.
Joining Founder and CEO John Diener and Co-Founder and CTO Enzo Acerbi, Vizzone will be responsible for all aspects of financial management, strategy, and business development.
Vertical Oceans is a high-tech shrimp farming operation, describing itself as "the world's first AI-native, automated, and fully sustainable aquaculture production and marketing startup".
Vizzone's last role was at Franklin Templeton Global Private Equity, as Managing Director, Head of Agri-Food, and Head of Impact Investment, where he focused on advancing sustainable investments in the agri-food sector.
Vertical Oceans is not Vizzone's first experience in the startup world. Early on in his career, he was co-founder of a vertically integrated fresh-produce supply chain management enterprise in China.
Vizzone has also previously held other senior roles in corporate and investment banking, focusing on global agri-food banking and sustainability. He has also had regional general management responsibilities with Rabobank, National Australia Bank, and ANZ Banking Corporation.
"Patrick’s extensive experience in the agri-food sector, finance and investing, his operational roles in start-ups and his extensive boardroom and corporate governance experience, will be instrumental in driving Vertical Oceans' mission to revolutionize aquaculture through its cutting-edge technology," the company said in a statement.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Patrick, a long-time friend and business associate, to our team," said CEO John Diener.
"His extensive experience and deep commitment to agri-food sustainability make him an ideal fit for the company's mission to revolutionize aquaculture through our cutting-edge technology.”
Patrick Vizzone said he was "honored" to join Vertical Oceans, "at the forefront of AI-driven sustainable aquaculture."
"This is an exciting opportunity to merge my passion for finance and commitment to environmental sustainability," he said.
"As Co-Founder and CFO, I look forward to contributing to Vertical Oceans' mission, focusing on innovation, responsible development, and the sustainable future of aquaculture. We are also planning our expansion to the USA—Los Angeles, here we come!” Vizzone added.
