WorldFish
WorldFish today announced the launch of WorldFish Ventures (WFV), a wholly owned commercial subsidiary established to accelerate the scaling of innovations in aquatic food systems through market-based approaches and strategic partnerships.
Approved by the WorldFish Board of Trustees, WorldFish Ventures represents a significant milestone in the organization’s evolution—strengthening the pathway from scientific innovation to large-scale adoption by harnessing the power of markets to deliver impact.
WorldFish has long been at the forefront of developing innovations in aquatic food systems, including genetically improved fish strains, fisheries management, digital platforms, and capacity development solutions. WorldFish Ventures is designed to translate these innovations into scalable, investable solutions that can reach underserved markets more effectively and sustainably.
“WorldFish Ventures reflects a deliberate step forward in how we deliver impact,” said Alyssa Jade McDonald-Baertl, Chair of the WorldFish Board of Trustees. “The Board has placed strong emphasis on ensuring that WorldFish’s scientific excellence is matched by mechanisms that enable scale. This structure provides the right balance between maintaining mission integrity and engaging effectively with market actors to expand reach and sustainability.”
WorldFish Ventures will operate as a dedicated platform to mobilize private sector engagement, crowd in investment, and accelerate the deployment of innovations across priority markets in Africa, Asia, and beyond.
Its initial portfolio will focus on:
- Improved fish genetics, including globally recognized tilapia and carp breeding programs
- Digital platforms and analytics, including next-generation data solutions for aquatic food systems
- Training and capacity development, through scalable models such as the WorldFish Academy
In addition to scaling WorldFish innovations, WFV will actively onboard and commercialize innovations from partners, including startups, research institutions, and private sector actors, creating a broader ecosystem for innovation deployment.
“Scientific breakthroughs only achieve their full value when they reach scale,” said Essam Yassin Mohammed, Director General of WorldFish. “WorldFish Ventures is designed to harness market forces to accelerate that process—enabling us to deliver solutions at the pace and scale required, particularly in underserved markets where the opportunity for impact is greatest.”
The venture will begin with a pilot phase, working with partners across the value chain to validate scalable business models, strengthen delivery systems, and build the foundations for long-term financial sustainability.
WorldFish Ventures will operate within a governance framework that ensures continued stewardship of WorldFish’s intellectual assets, strong mission alignment, and clear oversight, while providing the flexibility required to engage effectively with private sector partners and investors.
With the establishment of WorldFish Ventures, WorldFish is advancing a model that integrates science, markets, and partnerships to accelerate the transformation of aquatic food systems and expand access to nutritious, sustainable aquatic foods.
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About WorldFish
WorldFish is an international research and innovation organization working to transform aquatic food systems to reduce hunger, improve nutrition, and enhance livelihoods. Headquartered in Penang, Malaysia, WorldFish operates across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific as part of CGIAR.
Media Contact
David Wardell
D.Wardell@cgiar.org