OCEANIUM, a seaweed start-up, has secured fresh funds of $5 million to scale and commercialize its innovative biorefinery technology. The company aims to unlock the potential of the sustainable seaweed farming industry in the Western hemisphere by extracting maximum value from seaweed.
The latest funding will enable OCEANIUM to accelerate the commercialization of its food ingredients, bioactives for health and cosmetics, and innovative materials for luxury packaging and textiles to meet the growing market demand. OCEANIUM’s business model is based on its proprietary biorefinery technology, which extracts maximum value from sustainably farmed seaweed. They believe that seaweed farming offers significant environmental, economic, and societal benefits.
According to the company, innovative seaweed-based materials can replace resource-intensive products, making them a more sustainable choice. OCEANIUM’s biorefinery model provides a viable path for a scaled seaweed industry to contribute to food security and supply.
One of their standout products is OCEAN HEALTH Fiber, a high-fiber seaweed-based alternative to methylcellulose used in plant-based meat and other applications such as gluten-free breads and beverages. This ingredient, which is derived from sustainable seaweed, has received regulatory approvals in the US, UK, and EU, and is gaining traction among global food companies looking for sustainable ingredients.
OCEANIUM believes that their ingredient, containing 69% dietary fiber along with proteins and minerals, can address the lack of dietary fiber in modern diets. Seaweed is also a valuable source of plant-based protein and essential nutrients, including zinc, magnesium, and Vitamins A, B12, and K.
The company plans to use the funding to commercialize its food ingredients and nutraceutical products, continue developing innovative materials, and prepare for the installation of a scaled seaweed biorefinery.
Farmed seaweed offers numerous environmental, social, and economic benefits. It provides job opportunities in rural coastal regions, mitigates eutrophication, increases biodiversity, and requires no clearing of land, freshwater, insecticides, or fertilizers.
Charlie Bavington, Co-founder and CTO of OCEANIUM, expressed his enthusiasm about the successful funding round and the company’s progress in developing its biorefinery technology. He highlighted the importance of delivering for customers and further advancing the seaweed farming industry.
James Lindsay, Principal at Builders Vision, the leading VC in the funding round, emphasized the potential of seaweed in addressing climate change and creating sustainable food sources. Builders Vision is committed to investing in tangible solutions that contribute to a more humane and healthy planet, and they are honored to support OCEANIUM in scaling and accelerating the seaweed farming industry.
With this funding, OCEANIUM aims to revolutionize the food and beverage industry by leveraging the benefits of seaweed and promoting sustainability, innovation, and consumer trends.