Entrepreneurship

Turning algae-based carbon capture into fuel, impact, and scale.

Entrepreneurship: Turning Algae Innovation into Scalable Impact


As the world faces growing pressure to decarbonize, industries and governments are searching for solutions that are not only effective but also scalable, affordable, and science-based. Our team has developed a business strategy to commercialize algae-based biofuels through a system that absorbs carbon dioxide, processes waste, and produces clean energy. What began as an iGEM project has grown into a modular, multi-market solution backed by partnerships and field testing.

We believe the future of clean energy is local, circular, and easy to use. Our entrepreneurship plan reflects this through a tested minimum viable product, a three-part business model, and a clear path to commercialization.

Core Business Model


Our project is supported by three main revenue streams:

  • Service: Sell algae systems or offer CO₂ capture as a service to help companies and farms lower emissions and avoid carbon tax penalties.
  • License Report: Support companies in creating ESG reports by providing emissions data from our systems.
  • Biofuel: Harvest algae and convert it into biodiesel and methane for sale as a renewable fuel product.

Who We Serve


We focus on users who are underserved by traditional energy solutions:

  • Farms looking for clean fuel and waste management
  • Schools and local governments that want sustainability programs
  • Small factories and businesses facing stricter carbon regulations

Our algae system gives them clean fuel, visible carbon reduction, and a tool they can manage themselves without major infrastructure.

Route to Market


We plan to:

  • Sell algae systems directly to early adopters
  • Offer step-by-step kits for schools and small groups
  • Create licensing or franchise packages for regional distributors

Our system can also be bundled with training, maintenance, and impact reporting tools.

Competitive Position


We reviewed other players in the algae and biofuel industry:

  • Algenol: Strong tech, but failed to scale due to cost and complexity.
  • Neste: Global SAF leader, but does not use algae and focuses on industrial scale.
  • Pond Technologies: Works with large factories, not suitable for small users or schools.

Our advantage lies in offering a modular, low-cost system that fits into smaller spaces and works in real-world community settings. Each unit produces biodiesel, methane, and CO₂ reduction.

Operations and Profitability


We have completed early testing of both gas and diesel production:

  • Gasoline: 9,000 gallons/day → Estimated $162,000 yearly profit
  • Diesel: 4,000 gallons/day → Estimated $219,000 yearly profit

Diesel offers higher value and supports our franchise model. Additional income comes from co-located services such as car washes or store partnerships.

Operational costs range from $230,000 to $400,000 monthly depending on site size. We have planned around taxes, staffing, and logistics in both Taiwan and California to ensure strong unit economics.

Minimum Viable Product and Field Testing


We built a working prototype of our algae reactor and tested it with support from National Cheng Kung University. The system turns organic waste and carbon emissions into fuel and can operate in both urban and rural settings.

It runs using solar panels and LED lighting, with a closed-loop tubing system that supports algae growth even in hot, humid environments like Taiwan. This design is now ready for pilot deployment and further scaling.

Partnerships and Validation


We have worked with stakeholders across multiple fields to shape our model:

  • Professors at National Cheng Kung University for testing and validation
  • Farmers looking to convert waste into fuel
  • Formosa Plastics and other large manufacturers for potential scale-up
  • NGOs and environmental groups for outreach and deployment planning

For more on our system's environmental benefits, please see our Sustainability page.

Growth Strategy


Short-Term: Complete pilot installations, collect data, and refine the product for broader use.

Long-Term: Launch licensing programs, expand internationally, and develop algae-based co-products such as fertilizer or bioplastics.

We are also creating training and marketing materials to support scale-up through community partners, franchisees, and NGOs.

Contact and Acknowledgments


We thank our research advisors, pilot partners, and community supporters. Our team is open to future collaboration and welcomes outreach from government, business, or other iGEM teams.

Contact us: [Insert email or form link]