BIG Akwa is on site at the UN climate summit in Azerbaijan.
- "An incredible opportunity to make contacts with financiers," says Hugo Wikström, one of the founders of the startup that has developed an innovative technology for large-scale land-based fish farming.
From 11 to 22 November, representatives of over 200 countries will attend the UN Climate Change Conference COP29. The focus is on financing climate action in developing countries and increasing countries' climate commitments.
A large number of companies and financiers linked to the green transition are also present in Baku. One of the companies is the startup BIG Akwa from Härnsösand, which has developed technology for large-scale land-based fish farming.
- A global investment fund invited us to present our company as a positive example," says Hugo Wikström.
In 2020, he co-founded the company with Elena Petukhovskaya, who is also based in the Azerbaijani capital.
BIG Akwa uses industrial waste streams to drive sustainable fish production and plans to open its first plant in Alby, Ånge, in 2027. The annual capacity will be 6,000 tons.
The company came into contact with the investment fund during a trip to Dubai earlier this year, when Big Akwa presented the company.
- "The green transition is now moving from visions and goals to action and financing," says Hugo Wikström.
He describes the meeting in Baku as a melting pot for exchanging ideas and making contacts around the green transition.
- We have been working on the financing for three years and we are finally approaching the goal. COP29 is a great opportunity to meet public and private funders.
- Both the 'giants' and the small progressive funds are there. We're meeting funders we're already talking to and brand new ones," says Hugo Wikström.
Finalists in the Global Green Innovation Challenge
Big Akwa is also a finalist in the COP29 Global Green Innovation Challenge. Having been selected from hundreds of startup applicants, they are one of the few companies to pitch at the climate summit on November 16.
