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§ Private Profile · Portland, OR, USA
Seafood company producing branded sustainable seafood products for retail, focused on ethical sourcing and Northwest communities.
Fishpeople Seafood is a Portland, Oregon-based company that produces and distributes branded sustainable seafood products, including shelf-stable soups, frozen meal kits, salmon jerky, and pre-cooked seafood pouches. The enterprise operates its business model by sourcing local catches directly from the Pacific Northwest and selling its packaged goods through both traditional retail and digital e-commerce channels. After initially launching with a limited product line, the company has successfully scaled its distribution network to place its consumer packaged goods in more than 6,000 retail locations across the United States. Fishpeople Seafood supplies its inventory to major grocery chains such as Kroger, Wegmans, and Whole Foods, while securing financial backing from institutional investors like Advantage Capital to support supply chain development. The organization was officially founded in 2012 by co-founders Duncan Berry and Michael Baratoff.
Fishpeople Seafood has raised $12.0M across 1 funding round.
Fishpeople Seafood has raised $12.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Fishpeople Seafood has raised $12.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Fishpeople Seafood's investors include Advantage Capital, Blueberry Ventures, Nicholas Walrod, Collaborative Fund, Jason Scott, Chuck Templeton.
Fishpeople Seafood has raised $12.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $12.0M Series B in June 2017.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 1, 2017 | $12M Series B | Advantage Capital | Blueberry Ventures, Nicholas Walrod, Collaborative Fund, Jason Scott, Chuck Templeton | Announced |
Fishpeople Seafood is a Portland, Oregon–based company that builds sustainable seafood products designed to reshape consumers' relationship with the ocean. Founded in 2012, Fishpeople offers a range of seafood items including frozen seafood meals, pre-cooked salmon, seafood soups, and salmon jerky, all sourced from MSC-certified, traceable fisheries that adhere to strict sustainability principles. The company serves environmentally conscious consumers and retailers like Whole Foods Market, addressing the problem of overfishing and lack of transparency in seafood sourcing by providing high-quality, easy-to-prepare products with full traceability. Fishpeople has experienced significant growth, expanding from 30 stores at launch to over 6,000 stores today, with expectations to double revenue in recent years[1][2][3].
Fishpeople was founded in 2012 by Kipp Baratoff and Duncan Berry, who shared a mission to "reimagine consumers' relationship to the sea" by focusing on sustainable fishing practices and transparent sourcing. The founders recognized the depletion of ocean fish stocks and sought to create a radically different seafood company that prioritizes the health of fish populations and marine habitats. Early on, they innovated by using retort technology to produce premium seafood soups as an alternative to canned products, avoiding spoilage challenges common in fresh seafood. Their purposeful approach and commitment to sustainability helped them gain early traction and partnerships with retailers aligned with their values[1][2].
Fishpeople rides the growing consumer trend toward sustainability, transparency, and ethical sourcing in food. The timing is critical as over 90% of large fish stocks have been depleted globally, and consumers increasingly demand products that align with environmental values. Market forces such as retailer commitments to sustainable sourcing and technological advances in food preservation (e.g., retort packaging) favor Fishpeople’s model. By integrating technology, traceability, and direct supply chain relationships, Fishpeople influences the broader seafood ecosystem by setting new standards for sustainability and consumer engagement in wild-caught seafood[1][2][3].
Fishpeople is poised to continue expanding its product lines and market reach, leveraging growing consumer awareness of ocean health and sustainable food systems. Future trends shaping its journey include increased demand for plant-forward and sustainable protein alternatives, advances in food technology for preservation and traceability, and stronger regulatory and retailer commitments to sustainable seafood. Fishpeople’s influence may evolve from a niche sustainable seafood brand to a mainstream leader driving systemic change in how seafood is sourced, processed, and consumed, reinforcing its founding mission to foster a healthier relationship with the sea[1][2][3].