#29: Sea6 Energy with Sowmya Balendiran – The Evolution Of Mechanised Ocean Farming, Enhancing Productivity, Navigating Logistic Challenges And Regulatory Hurdles, Market Expansion and Local Impact.
Sowmya Balendiran is Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer at Sea6 Energy, a pioneer of innovative technologies for sustainable, large-scale and mechanised ocean farming. Sea6 Energy was founded at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras with a vision to develop disruptive solutions to global problems. Sowmya has more than 10 years of executive-level experience in product development, marketing, sales and strategy. She has featured in ‘Top 50 Women in Biotech’ in India as well as in Forbes India’s ’30 under 30’ 2018 special mention in the ‘Science and Green Tech’ category and featured in women pushing boundaries by GP-ORF. Sowmya holds a degree in Biotechnology and an executive program at IIM Calcutta. Check out Inside Seaweed Newsletter! Just one short email per month, no spam and you can cancel at any time. If you'd like to give it a try, head over to insideseaweed.com Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:24 - The “Why” Behind Sea6 Energy 00:02:44 - Challenges with Land Use for Biofuels 00:06:00 - How Being Based Played a Role India 00:07:21 - Changes in Perspective Over Time 00:09:12 - Key Milestones and Wins 00:10:43 - Current State and Future Goals 00:11:32 - Timeline for Biomaterials 00:13:19 - Balancing Farmer Income and Consumer Costs 00:14:45 - Mechanisation and Productivity 00:16:23 - Logistics Challenges in Seaweed Farming 00:18:12 - Lessons Learned in Mechanisation 00:19:23 - Regulatory and Market Acceptance Challenges 00:21:41 - Regulatory Hurdles in Biostimulants 00:23:10 - Evolution of Mechanisation 00:27:16 - Ownership Models for Mechanisation Tools 00:30:08 - Expansion to Indonesia and Focus on Tropical Seaweeds 00:34:33 - Limited Research on Tropical Seaweeds 00:37:02 - Exciting New Applications and Products 00:39:08 - Importance of Site Selection 00:40:57 - Positive Local Impact in Indonesia 00:43:52 - Increasing Productivity 00:45:17 - Concerns About Mechanisation and Job Loss 00:47:30 - What Not To Learn About Agriculture 00:49:10 - The Link Developing Between Ocean Farming and Land Farming 00:50:12 - Funding And Investments: The Gap Between West and East 00:54:00 - What the West Is Misunderstanding and Underestimating 00:56:18 - The Best and Worst Advice for Algae Entrepreneurs 00:58:57 - Sowmya Biggest Frustration in The Industry 01:01:12 - How to Get In Touch With Sowmya and Sea6Useful Links:Sowmya Balendiran on LinkedIn. Sea6 Energy: Website, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube. Potato Impact Partners: Website, LinkedIn and InstagramGet in touch Inside Seaweed's host Fed DeGobbi on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram or by emailing him directly at [email protected] Please send in your feedback: what do you want to hear more or less of? Any suggestions? Would love to hear what you think!
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#28: Branding Expert Danny Matthews – How to build a seaweed startup brand, avoid common pitfalls, understand the neuroscience of buying decisions, find Problem-Solution fit and craft the right story.
Danny Matthews is a branding expert with a big vision to solve the world’s biggest problems with creative design and brand strategy. Among his accolades he has been featured in the Huffington Post, BBC Radio, the FSB’s First Voice and has shared a stage with Facebook and Google. In 2019, Danny founded Short Story Ventures, a Venture Studio that helps early-stage founders build a fundable startup brand, gain traction and get to market successfully. Check out Inside Seaweed Newsletter! Just one short email per month, no spam and you can cancel at any time. If you'd like to give it a try, head over to insideseaweed.com Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:11 - Setting the Scene: Building a Fundable Brand 00:01:26 - What is a Fundable Brand? 00:03:00 - Key Considerations in Setting Up a Brand 00:04:00 - The Concept of Pitching 00:05:00 - Effective Networking Pitches 00:08:00 - Example of an Introductory Pitch 00:10:00 - The BIO Framework: Brand, Investor, Origin Story 00:12:00 - Crafting an Investor Story 00:13:00 - Crafting a Brand Story 00:14:00 - Neuroscience of Buying Decisions 00:17:00 - Common Pitfalls in Building a Brand 00:19:00 - Importance of Obsessing Over the Problem 00:21:00 - Problem-Solution Fit vs. Product-Market Fit 00:23:00 - Traction: Data Plus a Promise 00:24:00 - Guidelines for Crafting the Right Story 00:26:00 - Storytelling Framework: Hero, Problem, Guide 00:28:00 - Real-Life Example: Cold Water Thermometer 00:31:00 - Role of Sustainability in Product Development 00:33:00 - Insights from the Mushroom Industry 00:36:00 - Tactical Advice for Brand Building 00:38:00 - Closing Remarks and Contact InformationUseful Links: Danny Matthews on LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter Short Story Venture: Website Get in touch Inside Seaweed's host Fed DeGobbi on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram or by emailing him directly at [email protected] - Please send in your feedback: what do you want to hear more or less of? Any suggestions? Would love to hear what you think!
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#27: Doctor Seaweed with Dr Craig Rose – Seaweed nutraceuticals, how to develop a dietary supplement product, from understanding market trends to manufacturing, sales and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Dr Craig Rose PhD is a marine biologist and the Founder and CEO of Seaweed & Co., the company behind his Doctor Seaweed range of award-winning nutritional supplements. Dr Craig has a degree in Marine Biology, a master’s in Marine Technology and a PhD in Marine Science. Dr Craig started the company in 2015 after working for many years with seaweed on commercial and research projects for various applications - from biofuels to food and nutrition and identified a huge opportunity and need for seaweed.Check out Inside Seaweed Newsletter! Just one short email per month, no spam and you can cancel at any time. If you'd like to give it a try, head over to insideseaweed.com Timestamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:00:48 - Focus on Nutraceuticals00:01:05 - Importance of Personal Brand: Doctor Seaweed00:03:27 - Launching Doctor Seaweed Supplements00:03:43 - Reintroducing Seaweed into Modern Diets00:05:12 - Iodine Deficiency in Modern Diets00:06:43 - Symptoms of Iodine Deficiency00:08:04 - Importance of Iodine for Both Genders00:09:12 - Customer Needs and Product Benefits00:11:25 - Natural vs. Synthetic Nutrients00:13:38 - Unexpected Customer Benefits00:15:17 - Research and Customer Feedback00:16:13 - Weight Management Benefits00:17:07 - Target Audience and Customer Persona00:18:08 - Transition from B2B to B2C00:19:06 - Challenges in B2C Model00:20:13 - Validating Product Demand00:21:34 - Choosing Capsule Format00:22:36 - Capsule Size and Seaweed Content00:23:52 - Exploring New Product Formats00:25:00 - Sponsored Ad: Alvan Blanch00:25:53 - Market Trends in Wellness and Nutrition00:27:56 - Leveraging Sustainability in Branding00:29:29 - Harvesting and Manufacturing Process00:31:55 - Sales Channels: Direct and Retail00:33:08 - Approaching Distributors00:35:31 - Brand and Market Maturity00:37:25 - Health Benefits of Seaweed00:39:56 - Promising Areas of Research00:40:56 - Focus on Specific Seaweed Species00:41:28 - Lessons Learned and Future Focus00:43:27 - Saying No to Opportunities00:44:05 - Regulatory Requirements for Health Claims00:45:17 - Testing for Contaminants00:46:34 - Importance of Trust and Credibility00:47:10 - Final Thoughts and Industry Growth00:48:08 - Where to Find Dr. Seaweed Products00:48:36 - Recommended Resources and EventsUseful Links:Dr Craig Rose on LinkedIn. Doctor Seaweed: Website, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.Sponsors and Partners:Alvan Blanch: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn Seagriculture Conference: Website and LinkedInGet in touch Inside Seaweed's host Fed DeGobbi on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram or by emailing him directly at [email protected] - Please send in your feedback: what do you want to hear more or less of? Any suggestions? Would love to hear what you think!
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#26: Bright Tide with Harry Wright - The investment ecosystem for regenerative farming on land and water, successful business models in the blue economy and the Regenerative Farming Accelerator Programme.
Harry Wright is the Founder and Director of Bright Tide. Harry studied law and practised in the private sector for ten years. It was there he saw the potential to harness the ingenuity and resources of the private sector to help solve global conservation issues, inspiring him to launch Bright Tide. Harry has extensive knowledge of conservation issues, international law and social entrepreneurship, regularly giving lectures and leading workshops for both the private and education sectors. Harry is also the founder of The Conservation Project International, senior board member of Back2Business International, Advisor at Oceanovation, Trustee at the Seahorse Trust and a board member at the United Nations Westminster Association.Check out Inside Seaweed Newsletter! Just one short email per month, no spam and you can cancel at any time. If you'd like to give it a try, head over to insideseaweed.com Timestamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:01:00 - Harry's Background and Current Work00:02:22 - The Reality of Entrepreneurial Success00:04:45 - Transition from Law to Environmental Focus00:10:46 - The Role of Legal Advice in Entrepreneurship00:12:02 - Balancing Profit and Environmental Impact00:14:10 - Successful Business Models in Seaweed and Blue Economy00:17:00 - Common Success Factors in Seaweed Businesses00:20:11 - Potential of Seaweed in Environmental Impact00:22:38 - Overview of Bright Tide and Its Services00:27:05 - Support Needs for Entrepreneurs in Seaweed Industry00:34:03 - Regenerative Farming and Its Importance00:37:07 - Link Between Aquaculture and Regenerative Farming00:44:30 - Investment Landscape in Seaweed IndustryUseful Links: Harry Wright on LinkedIn.Bright Tide: Website, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.The Regenerative Farming Accelerator Programme Events:Bright Tide Venture Showcase at Barclays' officers on 24th May 2024 in Canary Wharf, London Groundswell - The Regenerative Agriculture Festival: 26th-27th June 2024Sponsors:Alvan Blanch: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn Get in touch on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram or by emailing me directly at [email protected] - Please send in your feedback: what do you want to hear more or less of? Any suggestions? Would love to hear what you think!
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#25: Rootless with Sachi Singh - The health benefits and composition of seaweed, thyroid health and sex hormones, creating a habit-forming product.
Sachi Singh is the Founder and CEO of Rootless. With a decade of experience in international climate change solutions and a Masters in Environmental Management from Yale University, Sachi is well aware of what we’re collectively up against. In seaweed, she found hope! Seaweed is one of the most nutritious foods on the planet, and actively regenerates the environment in which it is grown. Yet, most of us don't eat it on a daily basis. Sachi is trying to change that with Rootless and its hero product, The Daily Bite. Since their debut in 2022, The Daily Bites have been helping women and people support hormone health, sustain all-day energy, and nurture their gut health. Today, Sachi is on a mission to build a better food system while empowering millions of women to reclaim their health and feel good about their bodies during major hormonal transitions, including menopause, pregnancy, and beyond - all through seaweed. Check out Inside Seaweed Newsletter! Just one short email per month, no spam and you can cancel at any time. If you'd like to give it a try, head over to insideseaweed.com Timestamps:0:00:00 - Intro0:02:14 - Sachi's turning point towards seaweed0:06:22 - Overview of seaweed's nutrient composition0:11:06 - Meaningful insights from recent papers on seaweed health benefits0:13:27 - Bioactive compounds of particular interest in seaweed0:15:36 - Iodine in seaweed and its protective qualities0:21:59 - The role of seaweed in menopause0:23:11 - Fucoid and fucoxanthin 0:25:31 - Seaweed's prebiotic fibre and potential benefits0:29:15 - Sachi's experience as an entrepreneur in the seaweed industry0:33:38 - Rootless's product: The Daily Byte0:37:35 - Habit stacking and habit replacement strategies0:42:04 - Unexpected benefits of The Daily Byte0:46:07 - Development and testing of The Daily Byte recipe0:47:44 - Challenges of educating consumers about the value of seaweed0:48:02 - Sachi's goal of positioning seaweed as a solution for women's hormonal health0:53:17 - Rootless's manufacturing process and challenges0:58:07 - Rootless's crowdfunding campaign details1:02:16 - Trends in the health space where seaweed could become a compelling solution1:04:47 - Proving health claims and regulations in the nutraceutical industry1:08:26 - Resources for learning more about seaweed and health1:09:20 - Upcoming events related to seaweed and health1:09:39 - Final message and how to get in touchUseful Links:Rootless crowdfunding campaign: learn more here!Sachi Singh on LinkedIn and InstagramRootless: Website, Blog, Instagram. Seaweed For Health Conference (22th-24th May 2024, Cork, Ireland): learn more and register here!Resources:Sachi recommended the book "Seaweeds – Edible, Available, and Sustainable" by Ole Mouritsen. Get in touch on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram or by emailing me directly at [email protected] - Please send in your feedback: what do you want to hear more or less of? Any suggestions? Would love to hear what you think!
Ireland