We ask every team to think deeply and creatively about whether their project is responsible and good for the world. Consider how the world affects your work and how your work affects the world.
Our project addresses the urgent global issue of climate change by proposing algae-based carbon capture and biofuel production as a responsible and sustainable solution.
Fossil fuels are the leading contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for over 75% of global emissions and nearly 90% of carbon dioxide output. This has led to rising global temperatures, extreme weather, and sea level rise.
In response, we explored the use of selected algae strains to absorb CO₂ while producing biofuels and useful byproducts like calcium carbonate. This system not only reduces emissions but also supports a circular economy by generating revenue and promoting environmental stewardship.
Throughout our project, we interviewed several professors with expertise in carbon rights, consulted technical instructors, and sought feedback from experienced individuals to gather recommendations and opinions on our project's direction and feasibility.
These discussions shaped our project’s design to prioritize sustainability, safety, and accessibility.
We also considered ethical challenges, such as ensuring the benefits of this technology are shared broadly and not just limited to large industries.
We prioritized transparency by clearly communicating our project's limitations and potential, and honestly reporting our findings.
By incorporating feedback and evaluating potential impacts, we aim to create a solution that is environmentally responsible, ethically sound, and socially beneficial—especially for industries seeking greener alternatives and for communities affected by pollution.
The motivation behind this project stems from the urgent need to address industrial carbon emissions. Fossil fuels remain the leading cause of global greenhouse gas output—responsible for over 75% of total emissions and nearly 90% of CO₂ emissions. This is accelerating climate change, causing extreme weather, rising sea levels, and environmental degradation.
Our goal was to design a solution that not only combats emissions, but also helps companies align with sustainability goals in a cost-effective, marketable way.
The algae biofuel sector remains niche but is becoming increasingly contested. According to recent market reports, the global algae biofuel industry was valued between US $6–9 billion in 2022–2024 and is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 7–10%, reaching US $13–18 billion by 2030–2032.
This expansion has attracted new entrants and unveiled adjacent biofuels (e.g., crop-based ethanol, renewable diesel, synthetic fuel, hydrogen), raising competitive pressure. However, only a few companies have moved beyond pilot scale.
Examples: Algenol Biotech, Corbion, Neste, Pond Technologies
Barriers to entry include complex R&D, algae strain engineering, and photobioreactor design. However, lower hardware costs and open-source designs are encouraging more startups to enter the space.
Examples: HutanBio, TransAlgae, Algaementum, Heliae
Many inputs (LEDs, glass, PVC, solar panels, lab supplies) are widely available, which lowers dependency. However, disruptions like semiconductor shortages can raise costs. Proprietary strains or reactor designs can increase reliance on specific vendors.
Examples: Viridos, LG, Cree, Tirna Solar, General suppliers
Buyers (e.g., airlines, logistics firms, governments) are large and cost-sensitive but value sustainability and compliance. Offering bundled benefits (e.g., methane co-production, waste processing) can improve leverage.
Examples: UPS, FedEx, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, U.S. Department of Defense
Alternatives include electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel, ethanol, biodiesel, and synthetic fuels. While these address similar goals, algae
How does your project affect society and how does society influence the direct
Position and marketing strategy
Marketing objectives:
Identify customer needs-
Our target customers are looking for renewable, sustainable alternatives to traditional fuels. With growing environmental awareness, there's a clear demand for products that reduce carbon emissions and dependency on fossil fuels. At the same time, customers want biofuels that are affordable and accessible, especially in markets like Taiwan where the eco-conscious movement is gaining momentum.
Satisfy customer needs-
We satisfy these needs by offering a biofuel solution that’s not only sustainable but also affordable. Our algae-based biofuel stands out because of its lower carbon footprint and efficient production process. Customers can see the benefits in reduced emissions and know they’re contributing to making the environment healthier.
Maintaining customer loyalty-
We’ll ensure our product is reliable, and we’ll communicate openly about its environmental impact. By offering discounts or incentives for long-term partnerships, we create trust and keep customers coming back.
Building customer relationships-
Relationships matter in niche markets like this. We’ll actively engage with customers through social media, providing updates on our progress and the impact of algae biofuels. Hosting workshops and collaborating with green organizations in Taiwan will also help us connect with our audience on a deeper level.
We have actively collaborated with key stakeholders to validate the feasibility and potential of our algae-based biofuel solution. This engagement ensures our design is grounded in real-world needs and builds early interest in deployment.
These partnerships have shaped our development and confirmed a genuine demand for scalable, sustainable energy solutions.
Target Audience: Businesses and industries committed to sustainability, including energy companies, logistics providers, and manufacturing sectors. We also anticipate interest from government agencies supporting green energy transitions.
Product:
Price:
Place:
Promotion:
Channels:
Logistics & Supply Chain:
Promotional Mix:
Advertising Approach:
Our project targets companies that produce large amounts of waste gas and are looking for practical, reliable ways to reduce their carbon emissions. These are mostly manufacturing or energy firms in Taiwan that are starting to feel the pressure of carbon taxes and carbon credits. These businesses have an instant need for a service like ours because reducing emissions means they can avoid heavy fines. This gives us a solid and immediate market to enter.
In our first year, we’ll focus on firms in Taipei. By the second and third years, we plan to expand to other cities in Taiwan, and after building up enough progress, we’ll move into international markets, especially in countries where carbon emission laws are strict (like European countries).
Aside from the carbon capture service, we’ll also develop products using algae biomass, such as biofuel and bioconcrete. This creates additional long-term revenue streams. Our project is not just a service, since it can evolve into a full product-based business.
The global carbon capture market is growing fast. In 2022, it was already worth USD 3.5 billion and is expected to hit USD 12.5 billion by 2030. The demand is there, and it’s growing. In Taiwan, new environmental policies are increasing pressure on companies to act fast. This creates a direct need for solutions like ours.
For bio-based products, the global biofuel market is expected to pass USD 250 billion by 2032, and green building materials (like bioconcrete) are projected to reach around USD 570 billion. Our project connects directly to both these trends, which gives us space to grow even beyond the carbon service (for the long term).
Right now, this is a B2B market, mostly driven by ESG policies, government regulation, and investor pressure. Our main clients in the beginning will be:
Our growth strategy starts with offering monthly carbon capture services (so the firms can meet emission goals immediately), and after some time, we’ll generate and sell official CO2 reduction reports that they can use in ESG documents. In the later stages, we’ll focus more on selling biofuel and bioconcrete products made from algae residue.
We expect:
Our business model has 3 layers:
We’re collaborating with a Taiwanese biotech company (like DR. Lans) to help with the more technical parts, like strain development and DNA modification. This gives us an advantage in R&D and makes scaling easier.
Barriers to entry include:
But we already have lab access, an experienced team, and strong academic/industry partnerships.
This is still a new market in Taiwan. Most carbon reduction services are chemical-based or use expensive tech. We’re bringing a biological, sustainable alternative that also produces useful by-products. There aren’t many companies doing this, especially ones that combine carbon reduction + ESG reporting + product-making.
This isn’t just a project. It’s a business model that grows over time and becomes a full circular system. It’s one that responds to a real, rising demand in both Taiwan and globally.
To explore this market, we plan to:
Main Goal: Achieve carbon neutrality or have the lowest total emissions by the year 2050 (within 25 rounds).
Educational Purpose: Help players understand climate policy, carbon audits, decarbonization investments, and industry strategy through engaging gameplay.
| Card Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Chance Cards | Optional events like emission reduction, CSR, audits, or grants. |
| Fate Cards | Mandatory events such as carbon taxes, disasters, or new policies. |
| Resource Cards | Provide advantages like subsidies, immunity, or renewable energy. |
| Industry Cards | Define each player's starting stats and unique events. |
Bank: Issues funding and grants to players