Australian venture studio, Blue Ocean Ventures, says the goal of its first project, biotech start-up SHRMP.bio, is to build a sustainable seafood manufacturing system.
It is combining molecular biology, industrial bioprocessing, and automation with the latest aqua-farming techniques.
Blue Ocean Ventures managing director, Dr Gregor Lichtfuss, said SHRMP.bio’s technology has the potential to overcome current production challenges in the sector and take seafood production into urban or industrial areas close to markets.
The start-up’s tech could minimise land use and simplify supply chains, meaning seafood production could be located in areas less prone to catastrophic weather events and other possible disruptions.
Lichtfuss said the launch was a significant milestone for the company and its mission to be Australia’s leading blue venture studio helping build a sustainable and thriving local blue economy ecosystem.
“We believe Australia offers all the components needed to become the world leader in ocean-related research and innovation and ultimately a powerhouse in the blue economy.
“We have excellent research organisations and an established and growing entrepreneurial tech culture.
“On top of this, we also have thousands of kilometres of coastline – a quarter more than the US.
This combination of factors is the reason behind the creation of Blue Ocean Ventures. For us, SHRMP.bio is not only an exciting blue biotech start-up – SHRMP.bio is also a probe to sound the depth of the water under the keel of our hypothesis that a blue high-tech company can be developed in Australia.
“I am expecting this is not going to be a cocktail cruise. However, that’s also a big part of why we do it. It’s going to be exciting.”
