Classification society DNV GL is breaking into the venture capital arena with the launch of a fund to provide seed capital for maritime and energy start-ups.

Over the next four years, DNV GL Ventures plans to take stakes of up to 20% in 15 to 20 outfits that are tackling digitalisation and decarbonisation.

In its own version of the reality TV show Dragons’ Den — familiar to US viewers as Shark Tank — in which entrepreneurs pitch business ideas to a panel of venture capitalists to try to secure investment, DNV GL Ventures is inviting start-ups to send in 90-second video clips outlining their...