11th_Hour_Racing
100 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI, 02840, United States
Overview
11th Hour Racing uses the power of sport to restore a balance relationship between people and planet. 11th Hour Racing works with sports, maritime and coastal communities to inspire solutions for the ocean. They restore the seas and find solutions with strong local stewardship and collective action around the world. 11th Hour Racing was founded in 2010 and is based in Newport, Rhode Island.
- Total investments
- 1
- Lead investments
- 1
- Investments · 12mo
- 0
- Active investors
- 1
Sector focus
- Environmental Engineering
- Sailing
- Sponsorship
- Sports
Investment portfolio
- VELA
Led · Equity · Sep 2024
VELA develops large, 100% wind-powered sailing cargo trimarans designed to offer fast, reliable transatlantic freight with low emissions. Its flagship design—nicknamed “L’avion des Mers”—draws on offshore racing technology for transatlantic crossings of under 15 days while maintaining high transport quality. The vessel will include controlled-temperature holds for sensitive goods (pharmaceuticals, cosmetics) and onboard renewables such as photovoltaic panels and hydro-generators. VELA emphasizes social responsibility by flying the French flag so sailors receive French social protections and by committing to ethical labor monitoring during construction. Since launching in November 2022, the company has selected Austal (Austal Philippines, Balamban, Cebu) to build the first trimaran, with delivery scheduled for the second half of 2026. VELA plans at least four additional ships for 2027–2028 to increase frequency toward weekly departures and will operate an express maritime line between France’s Atlantic coast and the U.S. East Coast.
Team
Justin Shaffer
Special Projects
LinkedIn