Why the Ocean? Why Maris?
The ocean is more than water. It is memory, movement, and meaning. For some of us, it is where we first learned to sail, to swim, or to wonder. For others, it is a horizon we grew up chasing, or a world we vowed to protect. These personal connections are what drive us, but beyond sentiment, the ocean represents one of the greatest untapped opportunities of our time.
It regulates our climate, feeds billions, fuels industries, and holds vast potential for innovation and regeneration. Yet today it remains one of the least funded and most overlooked arenas in the climate economy. At Maris Ventures we see the ocean as both a responsibility and an opportunity. It is a space where scalable solutions can emerge, resilient businesses can grow, and profit can align with planetary health. Our founders bring expertise in science, venture building, and strategic partnerships, united by the conviction that the ocean is not a distant cause. It is the next great economy ready to be unlocked.
By Mohsin, Founding Partner & Managing Director
I was born in Pakistan and raised in the Netherlands, between the stillness of mountain ranges and the movement of seas. But my most cherished memory is sailing the Arabian Sea with my father. Those moments, on the vessel with him, surrounded by vast blue, are where I felt most alive, most at peace.
The sea became a place of connection: between generations, between continents, and between purpose and possibility.
Even now, I feel close to him whenever I’m near the ocean. But I also see what the ocean has become: undervalued, underfunded, and increasingly fragile. We speak often of climate risk, but rarely of the immense economic and regenerative potential of our oceans.
With Maris, I want to change that narrative, not through charity, but through smart capital, venture building, and long-term stewardship. For me, this is personal. It’s about honouring a bond, preserving a legacy, and helping others rediscover what the ocean can give back if we dare to invest in it.
By Jordan, Founding Partner & Operational Advisor
Growing up in the coastal town of Virginia Beach, the ocean was never just scenery, it was part of me. My earliest memories are of sandy afternoons with family and friends, or scanning the horizon for migrating humpbacks on whale-watching trips. I was that kid who couldn’t stop talking about whales.
As I grew, that fascination turned into a broader love of ecosystems, nature, and the sciences. It’s what eventually led me to meteorology, and to a career dedicated to solving real-world problems through scientific applications.
Now, with Maris Ventures, I have the opportunity to channel that lifelong enthusiasm into something tangible: driving sustainable innovation, building companies that balance profit with planet, and turning childhood wonder into lasting impact. The time is now!
By Kamryn, Founding Partner, Marine Science Advisor & Head of Ventures
I grew up in the landlocked state of Indiana, hundreds of miles from the ocean. Yet, as a child, I dreamed of swimming alongside whales and dolphins. Born with severe hip dysplasia and Perthes disease, my options for physical activity were limited, so my parents enrolled me in swimming lessons at just three years old. That turned into 15 years of competitive swimming. For me, water has always felt more natural than land.
My love for marine life started in unexpected ways. I devoured wildlife books and grew up glued to Steve Irwin on TV. But the real turning point came from a video game: Endless Ocean on the Nintendo Wii. It let me explore an underwater world I couldn’t reach in real life, searching for animals, treasure, and knowledge. It was a game, yes, but also a refuge. My parents often remind me how much calmer and happier I became when I played it.
The ocean saved me in many ways. Today, I feel a duty not only to protect it but to help others experience that same awe and wonder. Through Maris, I see a chance to bring that mission to life.
By Adelin, Founding Member & Chief of Marketing and Partnerships
Nature has always been my anchor. I was born on an island where seafood was not just food but survival. Then came overfishing and deep-sea mining, leaving locals stranded and marine life in crisis. Later, in Europe, I turned to another frontier: glaciers. Every year, I hike to photograph them. It is my passion, but also my heartbreak.
One of my glacier photos was once featured on the cover of YouPic. People told me it moved them deeply. But I know what they don’t always see: that the glacier I could once walk inside, I can now only step onto. Soon, it may be gone altogether.
For me, this is about more than pictures. It is about bearing witness to what we are losing, and about working toward a future where nature and animals are safe from the pressures of humankind. Without that, what kind of world are we leaving behind? I aim to bring the ocean’s story to life through the voices of communities, documentaries, and marine life. By amplifying the work of Maris, I turn awareness into action, connecting people to the ocean’s potential and inspiring lasting impact.
At Maris Ventures, the ocean is not just our namesake, it’s our North Star. For each of us, it represents something deeply personal: a memory, a lifeline, a source of wonder, a call to action. But beyond sentiment, it also represents one of the greatest untapped opportunities of our time.
Our oceans hold immense potential: to regenerate ecosystems, to fuel new industries, to provide sustainable food and energy, to inspire technologies that can change the way we live. But this potential remains overlooked, underfunded, and underserved.
We believe that can change. And we believe venture capital, done right, can be the catalyst.
Maris Ventures is about aligning purpose with profit, heart with science, legacy with innovation. It’s about building ventures that honour the ocean’s resilience while safeguarding its future.
For us, it’s personal. For our partners, it’s an opportunity. For the planet, it’s essential.