Mare Liberum Launches Second Fund with $150M Pentagon and SBA Support for Maritime Tech

Modernizing the Seas

Mare Liberum Capital Partners recently announced the formation of its second fund after securing a green light from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Pentagon Office of Strategic Capital. This status allows the firm to operate as a Small Business Investment Company Critical Technologies (SBICCT) fund. With this designation, Mare Liberum can access up to $150 million in low-cost government guaranteed leverage to match private equity commitments. The Miami-based firm focuses on the intersection of national security and maritime infrastructure. According to UNCTAD, maritime transport moves over 80 percent of global goods, yet innovation in the sector has historically been undercapitalized. Mare Liberum targets technologies that redefine power at sea, focusing on autonomous platforms and intelligent networks that can modernize legacy shipping systems.

Admiral Lorin Selby, a General Partner and former Chief of Naval Research, notes that ocean infrastructure will be as central to the 21st century as aviation was to the 20th. He believes the industry is undergoing a massive shift toward AI and autonomous systems. These advancements are necessary to secure sea lanes that are increasingly congested and represent major points of geopolitical competition.

The fund's investment thesis focuses on dual-use technologies that serve both commercial and defense purposes. This includes maritime domain awareness software, resilient supply chain tools, and counter-drone capabilities. By backing founders building these critical systems, the firm seeks to provide a strategic advantage for the U.S. and its allies while scaling commercially viable businesses.

The Office of Strategic Capital selected Mare Liberum for this program after a rigorous due diligence process. This partnership aims to bridge the gap for technologies vital for national resilience. The firm's leadership will discuss these developments at SuperReturn North America on March 16, 2026, during a panel on next-generation defense innovation.