Founder system models projected lack of profitability via current approaches. Invoking a “financials-first” strategy to technology direction led to novel developments capable of 100x reductions in capital and operating expenses.
Location & Partnering: Optimal algal growth conditions, university partnership, and funding opportunities brought the company to Brownsville, TX, where it now has offices and labs in the University of Texas-Brownsville's “International Innovation Center”
Team: Experienced in algae, technology and startups. Bootstrapping the company into existence created a mindset of cost control and leverage-a decided advantage in addressing profitability in algae oil production. The company enjoys an expanded research staff and invaluable resources through its UTB partnership.