Maine Venture Fund is excited to welcome American Unagi to our portfolio of Maine companies

]*> width="1200" height="800" src="https://www.maineventurefund.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG_0222.jpeg" alt="American Unagi eels" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.maineventurefund.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG_0222.jpeg 1200w, https://www.maineventurefund.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG_0222-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://www.maineventurefund.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG_0222-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://www.maineventurefund.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG_0222-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />

American Unagi is raising the bar for fresh, live eels in North America.

American Unagi is a Maine-based aquaculture company cultivating and selling locally sourced Maine grown eels throughout the United States. The company started in 2014, when CEO and founder,  Sara Rademaker, started growing eels in her basement! Since then they have outgrown multiple facilities, and recently broke ground on Maine’s first land-based eel aquaculture facility in Waldoboro. 

In that time, American Unagi has demonstrated that eels can be grown locally and that traceability matters to consumers. Eels consumed in the US are often imported with questionable origin and quality.  The company is capitalizing on an opportunity to do things better by raising eels locally-- bringing more connection to the coastal communities that harvest them and providing an accountability that does not exist with current eel products.

American Unagi raised $10 million in financing to build their new recirculating aquaculture system facility and grow their business. MVF invested in the $4.4 million Series A round alongside other Maine investors like Coastal Enterprises and Maine Angels. The remaining $5.7 million was debt financing provided by Gorham Savings Bank and the Finance Authority of Maine. ]*> src="https://www.maineventurefund.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG_0225-300x200.jpeg" alt="American Unagi Team" width="300" height="200" />

Congratulations to the American Unagi team - all of us at Maine Venture Fund are excited to support your growth in your new facility!

About Maine Venture Fund

Maine Venture Fund invests in dynamic businesses that have the potential for significant growth and impact in Maine. For more information, visit maineventurefund.com. 

Inquiries:
Terri Wark
Maine Venture Fund
(207) 924.3800
terri@maineventurefund.com