Meet the 3.0 Finalists: SEADLING (Malaysia)

Seaweed is an extraordinary natural superfood. It grows quickly, naturally, in the ocean, without the need for chemicals, fresh water, or land. At a time when farming is under increasing pressure, this is crucial. 

At SEADLING, we use seaweed to help grow more food with fewer inputs. Through advancements in seaweed farming and our proprietary fermentation process, we enhance the natural compounds found in seaweed to create plant biostimulants that improve soil structure, retain water, and strengthen plant growth and resilience. Unlike chemical alternatives, seaweed biostimulants are natural, renewable, and sustainable, helping farmers reduce their reliance on chemical fertilizers while improving crop performance. 

What seaweed biostimulants deliver: 

• Improved soil structure and water retention 

• Stronger, more resilient crops under heat and water stress 

• Reduced dependence on chemical fertilizers 

• More reliable yields for staple and high-value crops 

Our work is grounded in science. We are a team of 20 scientists and innovators with expertise in seaweed farming and fermentation-based product development, united by a belief that the ocean can play a much larger role in strengthening global food systems. Farmers, particularly in water-scarce regions, are being asked to produce more food while using fewer resources. Seaweed biostimulants help meet that challenge by improving water retention and strengthening crops against stress, pests, and disease. 

We focus on crops that matter most for nutrition and livelihoods, including staples such as vegetables and corn, as well as high-value crops like cocoa and coffee. As pressure on land and water increases, food security will become even more critical.  The ocean remains largely untapped as an agricultural resource. Unlocking its potential allows us to support food production on land in a more sustainable and resilient way. 

The UAE faces some of the most challenging farming conditions in the world, from extreme heat to limited freshwater. Our seaweed biostimulants offer a practical pathway to producing more food locally while building resilience to climate change. Through trials, partnerships, and collaboration with local scientists, we see an opportunity to explore seaweed cultivation and biostimulant production that can strengthen food security across the Gulf. 

Our ambition is simple but bold: abundant, resilient, and sustainable food systems for all. By unlocking the potential of seaweed, we aim to help countries become more food secure, more independent, and better prepared for a changing climate. 

Simon Davies

Founder of SEADLING