Singapore, 28th October 2023 - Vertical Oceans, the world’s first AI-native, automated, and fully sustainable aquaculture production and marketing startup, is pleased to welcome Patrick Vizzone as its Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
Born in Australia, and having resided in Greater China and Japan since 1993, Patrick joins John Diener (Founder and CEO) and Enzo Acerbi (Co-Founder and CTO) as part of the founding team. In his new role at Vertical Oceans, Patrick will be responsible for all aspects of financial management, strategy, and business development.
Patrick’s extensive experience in the agri-food sector, finance and investing, his operational roles in start-ups and his extensive boardroom and corporate governance experience, will be instrumental in driving Vertical Oceans' mission to revolutionize aquaculture through its cutting-edge technology.
Patrick’s most recent position was as the Managing Director, Head of Agri-Food, and Head of Impact Investment at Franklin Templeton Global Private Equity. In this role, he played a pivotal role in advancing sustainable investments in the agri-food sector.
Throughout his career, Patrick has held senior roles in corporate and investment banking, focusing on global agri-food banking and sustainability. He has also had regional general management responsibilities with Rabobank, National Australia Bank, and ANZ Banking Corporation.
Early in his career, Patrick co-founded and developed a vertically integrated fresh-produce supply chain management enterprise in China. This endeavour demonstrates his entrepreneurial spirit and deep understanding of supply chain dynamics. Patrick remains an active early-stage agri-food tech investor and continues to advise and mentor founders. Since 2017, Patrick has been an investor in and Senior Advisor to Agfunder.
Patrick also has extensive boardroom and corporate governance experience. He served for over a decade on the Board of Directors of China Agri-Industries, a listed subsidiary of China’s COFCO Group. During that time, he was granted a fellowship by the Hong Kong Institute of Directors. Patrick continues to serve as a Board Member and investor in Dimuto, a tech solution provider for the fresh produce industry that is redefining supply chain management from farm to table. He also serves on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the International Fresh Produce Association, and as a Board Member and Treasurer of the Australian Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong.
Patrick holds an AMP from Harvard Business School, an MBA in Finance from Manchester Business School, and a BA in History and Politics from Monash University. He and his wife, Pippa, are passionate about education. In 2019, he joined the University of Manchester’s Global Leadership Board and currently serves as the President of the Hong Kong Foundation of the University of Manchester.
John Diener, Vertical Oceans’ Founder and CEO, noted, “I’m thrilled to welcome Patrick, a long-time friend and business associate, to our team. His extensive experience and deep commitment to agri-food sustainability make him an ideal fit for the company's mission to revolutionize aquaculture through our cutting-edge technology.”
Patrick Vizzone noted, "I am truly honored to join Vertical Oceans, which is at the forefront of AI-driven sustainable aquaculture. This is an exciting opportunity to merge my passion for finance and commitment to environmental sustainability. As Co-Founder and CFO, I look forward to contributing to Vertical Oceans' mission, focusing on innovation, responsible development, and the sustainable future of aquaculture. We are also planning our expansion to the USA—Los Angeles, here we come!”
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