Cascadia Seaweed Founders Bill Collins, Chairman; Mike Williams, CEO; and Tony Ethier, Chief of Marine Operations
VP of Marine Operations Matt Obee will be leading the expansion of the 100 ha farm.
“At Cascadia Seaweed we cultivate seaweed on low-impact farms in the ocean, providing ecosystem services such as carbon capture, oxygen production and habitat,” says Bill Collins, Chairman of the company. “Then we harvest that crop to produce climate-positive products for a more resilient food system.”
Based in Sidney, British Columbia, the vertically integrated seaweed company combines cultivation expertise, First Nations partnerships, and progressive brand development. On September 27, 2022, Sustainable Development Technology Canada (“SDTC”) announced an investment in Cascadia Seaweed as one of the innovative Canadian companies working to shape a more sustainable economy.
“This agreement between Cascadia Seaweed and our First Nations partners, with funding from SDTC, will support the build of a 100-hectare ocean farm and an agrifeeds processing facility,” said Mr. Collins. “It’s sustainable aquaculture empowering regenerative agriculture, addressing Canada’s net zero targets while creating jobs, economic growth, and long-term prosperity.”
Cascadia is focused on cultivating climate-positive biomass in the ocean to produce products that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build a more resilient food system. “Companies have the ideas that will help solve some of our planet’s most pressing environmental problems, but they cannot do it alone,” says Leah Lawrence, SDTC President and CTO. “SDTC is proud to support innovative companies like Cascadia Seaweed on their journey towards commercializing their sustainable solution global markets want and need.”
With funding from the Ministry of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) granted earlier this year Cascadia embarked on a scientific process to identify the valuable compounds in seaweeds for cattle feed to improve animal health, increase feed conversion rates and reduce harmful methane emissions. Lab tests have concluded, and the research has moved into the formulation and in-vivo phase. “We recognize these opportunities as a way to grow the business, as well as a way to contribute to the overall knowledge base of the industry,” said Cascadia’s CEO Mike Williamson.
Now, through SDTC, Cascadia Seaweed has been awarded $4.3 million over 3 years to help with the site selection and construction of a 100-hectare aquaculture site and agrifeed processing facility, increasing Cascadia’s capacity which currently spans 26 hectares. The first phase of the project is expected to begin in the fall of 2022 and consists of seeded-line trials at a potential site near Prince Rupert, British Columbia.
As a registered Benefit Company in British Columbia, and a living-wage employer, Cascadia Seaweed is held accountable by external third-party organizations to ensure their actions genuinely benefit people and the planet. Cascadia Seaweed has raised over $10M CAD in equity and grants, and they are looking to raise an additional $5M in this current funding round through venture firms, impact investors, family offices, accredited investors, and crowdfunding.
All rights reserved. Permission required to reprint articles in their entirety. Must include copyright statement and live hyperlinks. Contact david@algaeplanet.com. Algae Planet accepts unsolicited manuscripts for consideration, and takes no responsibility for the validity of claims made in submitted editorial.
