UMITO Partners Joins '1000 Ocean Startups,' the World's Largest Ocean Startup Alliance

UMITO Partners (Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Haruji Murakami), a leader in ocean sustainability, announced that it has become the first Japanese organization to join '1000 Ocean Startups' (1000 OS) as an affiliate, an international network aiming to foster 1,000 ocean startups by 2030.

Through this partnership, UMITO Partners will collaborate with leading global venture capital firms and accelerators to drive the creation of ocean innovations that harmonize environmental restoration with economic development, realizing the 'New Blue Economy.'

## Background and Objectives

While the ocean economy is projected to grow from approximately $1.5 trillion in 2010 to $3 trillion by 2030, global wild fisheries have already reached their production limits. As global protein demand surges toward 2050, there is a critical need to shift from traditional 'extract and use' resource models to 'regenerative' models that build new industries while restoring the ocean through cutting-edge technology.

While regenerative ocean industries and markets are emerging in Europe, Japan and the rest of Asia face structural challenges despite their vast territorial waters. These include a lack of mechanisms for circulating capital and environmental evaluation frameworks for global investors, which hinders innovation.

UMITO Partners has been driving sustainability and blue economy infrastructure in Japan, including consulting for sustainable fisheries, conducting the first domestic assessment using the global 'Ocean Impact Navigator' (OIN) index, and planning a 14 billion yen ocean-specialized fund slated for launch next spring.

Joining 1000 OS, the world's largest ocean startup support platform, accelerates efforts to deepen collaborations with representative venture capitalists, startup support organizations, and research institutions. It aims to connect global investment platforms with the innovative technologies and market implementation foundations of Japan, Asia, and Europe.

## About 1000 Ocean Startups (1000 OS)

Born in 2021 from a conservation project led by the World Economic Forum, 1000 OS is the world's largest platform for ocean startup support. With a goal of fostering 1,000 ocean startups to restore ocean health by 2030, it focuses on standardizing impact measurement (OIN), attracting investment, and sharing information. Currently, 65 organizations are members, with over $3 billion in combined assets under management and over $4 billion in total funding provided to more than 850 startups.

## Comment from Haruji Murakami, CEO of UMITO Partners

'The ocean environment is changing rapidly, affecting the very foundations of our lives and industries. To respond, we need solutions through new innovations in addition to traditional management and regulation. To maintain a positive relationship with the ocean, we must build a new industrial structure that harmonizes economic growth with marine conservation.'