Circle Seafoods
Circle Seafoods is a US venture-backed wild salmon processor founded in 2022 that uses ultra-low-temperature floating barges to freeze and distribute sushi-grade Alaska salmon to 4,000+ US retail stores and international markets in the UK and Japan.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersAberdeen, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Circle Seafoods does
Circle Seafoods is a US-based, venture-backed salmon processor founded in 2022 and headquartered in the Seattle area (Aberdeen, WA) with primary processing operations in Metlakatla, Southeast Alaska. The company operates a fleet of floating processor barges — Circle I, operational since 2024, and Circle II, under construction — that freeze whole wild salmon at ultra-low temperatures (-30°F to -40°F) within hours of harvest, locking in sushi-grade quality and enabling unbroken cold-chain shipment in bulk (10M+ lb capacity) to buyers year-round. Its core technology combines patented fish unloading systems (halving unload times and quadrupling capacity), objective quality measurement systems that enable quality-based pay, and high-throughput on-board slush ice production. The company sells finished salmon products — most notably its ULT Pink Salmon Fillets (12oz, three vacuum-sealed skin-on portions) and ready-to-eat pre-cooked portions — through major US grocery chains (Publix, Whole Foods, H-E-B, Sprouts, Harris Teeter, Instacart), with international expansion through New England Seafood International (Waitrose, UK) and direct entry into Japan in Q1 2026.
Circle generates revenue primarily by purchasing wild salmon from Southeast Alaska seine fishermen at above-market prices ($0.61/lb pink, $1.07/lb chum, $2.50/lb sockeye for 2026), processing it on its barges and at its leased Annette Island Packing Company plant in Metlakatla, and selling finished frozen and pre-cooked products to retail grocery, foodservice, and e-commerce buyers. Its procurement GTM is community-led: Circle recruits fishermen directly via a fleet page, offering rapid (weeks-not-months) direct-deposit payment, slush ice delivery, and comprehensive vessel support to build a loyal supply base. Its commercial GTM is sales-led, anchored by enterprise retail partnerships across 4,000+ US stores, supplemented by international distribution partners. The company has raised approximately $50M+ in equity, debt, and loan financing across 2022–2024 (Propeller VC, $36M financing, Steward loan, $8.6M late 2024 round) and employs 50+ full-time staff with seasonal peaks above 100.
Circle Seafoods firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Circle Seafoods
- Legal name
- Circle Seafoods
- Website
- https://circleseafoods.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Circle Seafoods is a US venture-backed wild salmon processor founded in 2022 that uses ultra-low-temperature floating barges to freeze and distribute sushi-grade Alaska salmon to 4,000+ US retail stores and international markets in the UK and Japan.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Circle Seafoods industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Wild Salmon Processing
- NAICS
- Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging (31171), Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers (42446)
- SIC
- Prepared Fresh Or Frozen Fish & Seafoods (2092)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Finfish Processing (Filleting, Portioning, Trimming) (AFANADAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Primary Seafood Processing (Heading/Gutting/Deheading; Icing) (AFANADAA), Seafood Wholesale (Fresh & Frozen) (AFAIADAD)
Keywords
Where Circle Seafoods is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Aberdeen
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Circle Seafoods business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Wild Salmon Product Sales: Circle Seafoods generates revenue by purchasing salmon from fishermen, processing it using their ultra-low temperature technology, and selling finished products (fillets, whole fish) to retail grocery chains, restaurants, and through e-commerce platforms. Products include Alaska Pink Salmon Fillets and other salmon species.
- Fishermen Services and Procurement: Circle pays fishermen for their catch at above-market prices, processes the fish on their floating barges, and captures value through superior quality products that command premium pricing in retail markets. The company benefits from operational efficiencies that allow them to pay higher prices while maintaining profitability.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pink Salmon Base Price 2026 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Chum Salmon Base Price 2026 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Sockeye Salmon Base Price 2026 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Refrigeration Operator II |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels6 records
Circle Seafoods product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Circle Seafoods purchases wild-caught salmon from Southeast Alaska seine fishermen, processes the whole fish at ultra-low temperatures (-30°F to -40°F) on floating processor barges within hours of harvest, and sells finished products — including Ultra-Low Temp Pink Salmon Fillets, ready-to-eat pre-cooked portions, and whole round frozen salmon — to major US retail grocery chains, restaurant/foodservice operators, and international distributors.
Product overview
Circle Seafoods operates a fleet of floating processor barges (Circle I and Circle II under construction) that freeze wild salmon whole at ultra-low temperatures within hours of harvest, then transport and process on-demand. The company sells consumer products including ULT Pink Salmon Fillets (skin-on, vacuum-sealed, 12oz/3-portion packs) and ready-to-eat pre-cooked portions. Circle I has 500,000 lbs/day freeze capacity and 10+ million lbs cold storage. Products are available at major US retailers including Publix, Whole Foods, H-E-B, Sprouts, and Harris Teeter, with distribution expanding to international markets including UK Waitrose.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Ultra-Low Temp Pink Salmon Fillets Ultra-low temperature frozen pink salmon fillets, skin-on, individually vacuum-sealed in 12oz packages containing 3 portions. Designed for retail consumers and can be cooked straight from frozen without defrosting.
- Ready-to-Eat Pre-Cooked Salmon Portions Pre-cooked individual pink salmon fillet portions targeting grab-and-go retail and foodservice settings. Maximizes use of portions too small for entrée fillets that would otherwise become mince or waste.
- Whole Round Frozen Salmon Whole salmon frozen at ultra-low temperatures within hours of harvest, shipped in bulk ultra-cold storage out of Alaska, then processed on-demand to buyer specifications for wholesale and foodservice buyers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Paid $0.61/lb for pink salmon vs. industry average of $0.25/lb (144% premium)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Circle Seafoods
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Circle Seafoods technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Circle Seafoods partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, significant and supporting.
- Metlakatla Indian CommunitycoreCircle Seafoods partnered with the Metlakatla Indian Community on Annette Island in Southeast Alaska, utilizing their processing plant that had sat largely dormant. Circle upgraded delivery and freezer systems to meet their process standards, worked alongside the tribal council, provided slush ice to fishing boats, and purchased salmon from local fishermen at above-market prices. The plan was to eventually hand the plant back to the community to operate independently. Circle positioned their completed Circle I barge at Metlakatla to continue the partnership.
- Annette Island Packing CompanycoreCircle Seafoods leases a shore-based facility from Annette Island Packing Company in Metlakatla. For the 2025 season, Circle expanded the plant's freezer capacity and made other capital investments to improve operational efficiency. The plant serves as a key processing hub in Southeast Alaska.
- New England Seafood International (NESI)significantNESI launched Circle Seafoods' pink salmon under its Leap brand in Waitrose and Partners stores in the UK. This represents Circle's first major international retail expansion, bringing their Ultra-Low Temp frozen pink salmon to high-end UK retailers. The partnership enables Circle to access European markets through an established seafood distributor.
- Alaska Sea GrantsupportingAlaska Sea Grant is a collaboration between NOAA and the University of Alaska Fairbanks that supports healthy coastal resources and vibrant economies. Circle Seafoods hosted a Seafood Workforce Development Specialist from Alaska Sea Grant to train production managers on essential leadership skills through their Seafood Processor Line Lead Training program. This professional development program covers topics including supervisory roles, conflict resolution, leadership ethics, communication, and team building.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Circle Seafoods competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Peter Pan Seafood Company: Alaska seafood processor with multiple shore plants processing wild salmon (pink, sockeye, chum, coho) for retail and foodservice. Comparable operating footprint in Alaska and overlapping retail customers.
- Northline Seafoods: Alaska-based wild salmon processor; CEO Pat Glaab led Northline before founding Circle. Operates a similar procurement-and-processing model for wild-caught salmon and competes directly for fishermen and retail customers in the same geography.
- Silver Bay Seafoods: Alaska-based wild salmon processor operating shore-side plants in Southeast Alaska and Bristol Bay, selling frozen and canned salmon to retail and foodservice. Closest direct comparison on geography, species mix, and customer base.
Broad incumbents
- Trident Seafoods: One of the largest vertically integrated seafood companies in North America, processing Alaska wild salmon and a wide portfolio of other species for retail and foodservice. A direct competitor on salmon procurement and an established incumbent in the same processing category.
- Ocean Beauty Seafoods: Multi-generational Alaska seafood processor and distributor selling frozen salmon and other species across U.S. retail and foodservice. Overlaps with Circle in retail grocery channels and Alaska procurement.
- Icicle Seafoods: Wild Alaska salmon and other seafood processor with shore plants and a vertically integrated fleet. Competes with Circle for Alaska salmon supply and on the same frozen seafood retail shelves.
- Maruha Nichiro: Largest Japanese seafood company and a major global salmon buyer/processor. Relevant peer because Circle just entered Japan and Maruha is the dominant incumbent controlling supply, pricing, and distribution there.
Regional players
- Copper River Seafoods: Alaska seafood processor and distributor focused on premium wild salmon (notably Copper River sockeye) for retail, foodservice, and direct-to-consumer. Comparable product positioning in wild salmon retail, smaller scale than Trident.
Emerging players
- New England Seafood International (NESI): UK seafood distributor that launched Circle's salmon under its Leap brand at Waitrose. Functions as both a channel partner and a comparable UK-facing seafood processor/distributor in similar premium retail channels.
- Wildfish Cannery: Small-scale Alaska salmon processor focused on sustainable, high-quality canned and frozen wild salmon with direct relationships to fishermen. Comparable premium positioning and small-team ethos to Circle.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks3 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Circle Seafoods social profiles
Digital presenceCircle Seafoods financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Circle Seafoods leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Circle Seafoods funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Circle Seafoods M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Circle Seafoods
What does Circle Seafoods do?
Circle Seafoods purchases wild-caught salmon from Southeast Alaska seine fishermen, processes the whole fish at ultra-low temperatures (-30°F to -40°F) on floating processor barges within hours of harvest, and sells finished products — including Ultra-Low Temp Pink Salmon Fillets, ready-to-eat pre-cooked portions, and whole round frozen salmon — to major US retail grocery chains, restaurant/foodservice operators, and international distributors.
Is Circle Seafoods a public or private company?
Circle Seafoods is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Circle Seafoods founded?
Circle Seafoods was founded in 2022. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Circle Seafoods based?
Circle Seafoods is headquartered in Aberdeen, United States, in the North America region.
How does Circle Seafoods make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Wild Salmon Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are fishermen Services and Procurement.
Who are Circle Seafoods's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Peter Pan Seafood Company, Northline Seafoods and Silver Bay Seafoods. Broad incumbents are Trident Seafoods, Ocean Beauty Seafoods, Icicle Seafoods and Maruha Nichiro. Copper River Seafoods is listed as a regional player. Emerging players are New England Seafood International (NESI) and Wildfish Cannery.
Does Circle Seafoods have an API?
No public API is recorded for Circle Seafoods.
What industry is Circle Seafoods in?
Circle Seafoods's product category is Wild Salmon Processing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFANADAB, Finfish Processing (Filleting, Portioning, Trimming), with a secondary code of AFANADAA, Primary Seafood Processing (Heading/Gutting/Deheading; Icing). Its NAICS code is 31171 and its SIC code is 2092.