Meet Our 2020 Finalists: Has Algae

Has Algae produces algae-based superfood products rich in Omega 3 and protein. They are 1 of our 12 Finalist Teams who will compete in the upcoming FoodTech Challenge Awards Ceremony. Read more about them below.

What makes your team excited about your idea and food technology?:

It’s amazing that harnessing such a small microscopic organism (microalgae) could solve so many of the pressing problems the world faces – from food security and climate change to wastewater remediation and bioproducts such as food, feed, plastic-polymers, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, and nutrient-rich fertilizer. Sometimes you need to look at the littlest things to solve the biggest problems. The absolute biggest problem though is food for human health. If we can unlock the potential to maximize nutrition with algae, and in particular protein, then we can all live longer, healthier, and more sustainable lives.

What is the biggest source of motivation for your team to work on this project?:

Solving the world’s biggest food-related challenges is what drives the Has Algae team.

Could you tell us something unique about your team that makes you a strong contender to be in the Top 4 winners?:

Has Algae is built on strong fundamentals of optimized algae research and production. Professor Peer Schenk is an expert in this field with over 15 years of experience in algae biotechnology alone. His reputation in the industry has allowed him to consult for many companies interested in algae production. Professor Schenk has been awarded in excess of $25 million in grants throughout his career and the outcomes of those research and experience are now put to good use in Has Algae as we seek to commercialize this technology.

The team also comprises Tim Gardner, a public relations and marketing professional, and Brendan Fu who brings commerce and science together to create innovative practical solutions for the world as a finance and agricultural science graduate. This complimentary skill set of the founders is what makes the team strong and aligned to achieve their mission.

Lastly, if you are selected as one of the four winners, how does your team plan to use the prize money?

The biggest barrier to micro-algae cultivation is scaling profitability. This can only be achieved by using an open-pond hybrid system rather than solely using bioreactors. The prize money will cover the capital-expenses to replicate our system in Queensland to the UAE to build a pilot plant that can then be scaled.