VAKI founder buys back aquaculture tech firm, plans merger with Ration

What's the deal? Hermann KristjánssonDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, the original owner and founder of Icelandic aquaculture technology firm VAKIDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, has reacquired all of the company's assets and operations from MSD Animal HealthDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →. Terms were not disclosed. VAKI, founded in 1986, supplies fish-counting and size-estimation equipment for land-based and marine aquaculture.

Why now? The buyback reverses MSD Animal Health's 2019 purchase of VAKI from water treatment company PentairDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, returning the business to its founder. Mar Advisors advised Kristjánsson on the deal, with Sigurður Valgeir Guðjónsson of Arta lögmenn providing legal counsel.

What's the endgame? VAKI plans to merge with Icelandic firm Ration, which developed RationFEED, a system that uses computer vision and AI to improve feeding control and cut feed waste in land-based aquaculture. The system has been tested in Iceland and Norway, and members of Ration's team previously contributed to VAKI's technology.

The combination pairs VAKI's fish-counting and size-estimation tools with Ration's feeding automation. "We aim to strengthen customer support and accelerate innovation across both product ranges," the companies said.

New leadership: Gunnar Óli Sölvason will lead VAKI as chief executive, heading a team combining former VAKI leaders with new colleagues. He brings an engineering background and senior experience in seafood processing technology and operational management.

The signal: The deal fits a wider push to consolidate specialist aquaculture-technology suppliers. In October 2026, investor AmbientaDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → acquired four Nordic companies to build a platform spanning fish health, feeding, monitoring, and farming systems — activity that reflects growing interest in AI-enabled tools that boost efficiency and reduce waste as land-based aquaculture expands. With no financial terms or integration targets disclosed, the payoff hinges on whether the merger delivers better products and support.

Read more: thefishsite.com

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