Five Algae Startups to Watch in 2025

Algae is fast becoming one of the most promising resources in the Climate Tech landscape. From seaweed to microalgae, companies are harnessing its natural abilities to capture carbon, improve soil and ocean health, and replace unsustainable materials. This article spotlights five startups using algae to advance climate resilience and economic opportunity.

1. Provectus Algae (Australia)

Provectus Algae is an Australian biotechnology company using precision algae cultivation to advance carbon-negative biomanufacturing. Founded by Nusqe Spanton in a one-person lab in Noosa, Queensland, in 2018, the company was built to harness photosynthesis from aquatic organisms to transform industrial production and reduce environmental impact.

Spanton brings over two decades of experience in aquaculture and marine ecosystems. This hands-on background shaped his vision for scalable, algae-based solutions that not only replace petrochemical inputs but also support hard-to-abate sectors like livestock farming. Its flagship product, Surf’N’Turf®, is a livestock feed additive made from Asparagopsis seaweed, shown to reduce methane emissions by up to 98% in lab settings and in live trials, offering a practical, natural solution to livestock emissions.

Provectus Algae’s core innovation is its Precision Photosynthesis® platform, an end-to-end biomanufacturing system that integrates synthetic biology, automation, and machine learning to optimize the growth and productivity of microalgae species. From AI-enabled strain discovery to real-time production control, the platform is designed for rapid scale-up and industrial application. 

Their platform technology supports diverse markets and applications, including food and beverage, therapeutics, cosmetics, specialty chemicals, and agriculture. The company operates a 12,000L pilot facility and a 250,000L demonstration plant to support commercial development. Provectus Algae raised $10 million in Series A funding in July 2025.

2. Swedish Algae Factory (Sweden)

Swedish Algae Factory is the first company globally to commercialize large-scale production of diatoms, a unique group of microalgae with nano-porous silica shells. The company was founded in 2016 by marine ecologist Prof. Angela Wulff and biotechnical engineer Sofie Allert. They started by growing algae in a lab at the University of Gothenburg, followed by early cultivation in a humble 6 sqm greenhouse on campus. These early efforts laid the groundwork for a breakthrough in the development of sustainable and functional materials from microalgae.

Sofie Allert, the CEO and Angela Wulff, Co-founder and Research Manager at Swedish Algae Factory

The company’s patented material, Algica®, is derived from the silica shells of diatoms through a proprietary cultivation and extraction process that retains their advanced light-altering, absorptive, and protective properties. Today, Algica is integrated into over 60 personal care products, with larger-scale commercial partnerships ramping up in 2025. Algica® serves as a multifunctional, non-nano marine ingredient delivering moisturizing, detoxifying, and SPF-boosting benefits. 

Beyond beauty and personal care, Algica is being tested to improve the efficiency of solar panels (4% in silicon, 38% in dye-sensitized types) and to improve energy storage in lithium-ion batteries. New applications under development include wound care, catalyst support, and green chemical formulations.

Swedish Algae Factory also employs a circular production model, using nutrient-rich wastewater from food and aquaculture sectors to grow its algae, simultaneously reducing environmental impact and generating valuable raw materials. Swedish Algae Factory secured $3.37 in Late VC in April 2025. 

3. Zerocircle (India)

Zerocircle is a biotechnology startup that creates fully bio-based, home-compostable packaging solutions from seaweed. Founded in 2020 by Neha Jain, Zerocircle is addressing the global plastic crisis by replacing synthetic, petrochemical-based plastics with biodegradable alternatives that can break down naturally without industrial composting infrastructure.

Unlike conventional bioplastics, which often rely on agricultural feedstocks and energy-intensive processing, Zerocircle’s patented technology transforms locally sourced seaweed into a range of functional materials. Zerocircle offers a commercially viable, low-barrier path to sustainable packaging by manufacturing greaseproof and oxygen-resistant coatings, biodegradable films, and wood-free paper.

The company has secured initial orders for its seaweed-based food packaging solutions including paperboards, trays, and takeaway containers from major players in the quick-service and food delivery sectors. The unique selling point of their product is that seaweed cultivation does not compete with food crops or freshwater, and absorbs approximately 120 kg of CO₂ per tonne.

By enabling circular, scalable packaging solutions that align with global climate and waste reduction goals, the company is creating real alternatives to fossil-fuel-based plastics. Zerocircle secured $2.32 million in seed funding in January 2025 to accelerate product development and expand its market presence across food, pharmaceuticals, fashion, and personal care industries.

4. Atlantic Sea Farms (USA)

Atlantic Sea Farms, founded in 2018 by Briana Warner, is creating a new model for ocean-based food production in Maine. The Gulf of Maine is warming faster than 98 percent of the world’s oceans, putting pressure on the region’s coastal economy, which relies heavily on lobster fishing. Warner launched the company to provide fishing communities with kelp farming as a sustainable livelihood alternative.

Working directly with local lobstermen, Atlantic Sea Farms helps them grow kelp in the off-season using their existing boats and gear. Kelp farming requires no arable land, fresh water, or fertilizers. The farms remove on average 8,000 lbs of carbon and 200 lbs of nitrogen per site each year, while locally mitigating ocean acidification and improving biodiversity in surrounding waters. The company operates the largest seaweed nursery in the Western Hemisphere, supplying seed and technical support to partner farms. 

The harvested kelp is used to produce nutrient-dense, climate-positive food products including seaweed salad, kelp smoothie cubes, kelp sauerkraut, and kelp kimchi.

By supporting seaweed aquaculture, Atlantic Sea Farms is helping to diversify coastal incomes, reduce environmental stress on marine ecosystems, and expand access to regenerative, ocean-farmed foods. Atlantic Sea Farms secured $3.8 million in early VC funding in January 2025. 

5. MyLand (USA)

MyLand, an agri-tech company based in Phoenix, Arizona, is redefining soil health through its patented Soil as a Service™ model. By cultivating and reintroducing live, native microalgae into farmland, MyLand offers a scalable, regenerative solution that improves soil porosity, organic matter, water filtration, nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubility, nutrient levels and crop yields. The company’s origins trace back to 2009, when co-founder Andy Ayers began experimenting with microalgae in his front yard in Holbrook, Arizona. Recognizing its transformative potential, he later piloted the technology on a 200-acre section of Del Monte farmland, where farm manager Dane Hague observed significant improvements in soil structure, nutrient levels, and crop performance. Joined by Bob Thompson in 2013, the three co-founders came together to build MyLand with a mission to make native microalgae the foundation of next-generation regenerative farming.

Unlike conventional soil changes, MyLand’s service is fully customized to each farm’s ecosystem. After initial engagement, the team collects soil samples that undergo third-party analysis to assess biological activity. Additional samples are used to isolate a strain of live, native microalgae, sourced directly from the grower’s own land. The cultivated live microalgae are reintroduced into the soil through existing irrigation infrastructure, creating a closed-loop, biologically rich system that improves soil vitality without requiring costly inputs or operational overhauls.

MyLand’s approach supports farmers across specialty crops, hay production, golf courses, and more. MyLand secured $23 million in Series C funding in January 2025. 

Algae plays a central role in transforming the economy

The five startups highlighted in this article show how algae is rapidly advancing from scientific research to industrial-scale application with measurable climate benefits. Whether through biodegradable packaging, regenerative aquaculture, or soil health restoration, these companies are using algae to tackle some of the most resource and emissions-intensive sectors, supporting the broader transition to a low-carbon, circular economy.

As the world faces accelerating resource depletion and environmental stress, algae offers a scalable and resilient solution. Request a free trial to the largest list of Algae Startups.