KelpStart: Business Model

KelpStart is a startup focused on promoting small-scale seaweed aquaculture through education, training and resources. It is a business that provides the necessary services and equipment needed for establishing and maintaining seaweed aquaculture farms, striving to promote jobs, mitigate climate change, and reduce the reliance humanity has on the world’s natural resources.

// Opportunity: Problem

Due to the increase in climate related issues because of the burning of fossil fuels, there is a significant increase in CO2 within the atmosphere. The ocean absorbs about 30% of carbon within the atmosphere causing ocean acidification and other related issues.

// Opportunity: Solution

At KelpStart we look to Seaweed Aquaculture or Farming as a solution. Seaweed Aquaculture is the act of growing seaweed and shellfish in underwater gardens in the ocean, only requiring sunlight and nutrients found in the water. This does not require land, freshwater or fertilizers as inputs. There are any benefits to seaweed, including it growing quickly and being able to absorb large amounts of CO2, and therefore acting as a carbon sink.

At KelpStart we provide the necessary services and equipment needed for establishing and maintaining efficient small-scale seaweed aquaculture farms in order to promote jobs, help fisherman become seaweed farmers and make seaweed a competitive alternative to land-based product. We help fishermen to find the right location to farm, help them acquire a license, get equipment needed to cultivate and harvest seaweed and provide them with the right training in the field.

// Opportunity: Target Customer

The first business model offers fishermen the right help and support, depending on their level of skills and equipment they already have. These membership packages can be altered to suit the fishermen and their needs.

// Validation: Current Solutions

The competitors within the industry around the world, with GreenWave being the most well-known. It is a non-profit organisation that is designed to train and support seaweed farmers.

// Validation: TAM, SAM, SOM

The global aquaculture is growing. Focusing on South Africa, it has a large coastline and many seaweed species that are able to be utilised within this industry. There are cureently 195 aquaculture farms in South Africa, with only 3 farming seaweed.

// Implementation: Getting Started

Initial starting phases planned in order to get the right cultivation areas, species and equipment required for a profitable business.

// Resources & Financing: Stakeholders

An overview of people involved within the entire process of seaweed aquaculture, with KelpStart focusing mainly on setting up the initiation and development stages for clients, however will also be involved within the operation and end of life stages if required.

// Resources & Financing: Team

// Resources & Financing: Cost

KelpStart  is a project of IAAC, Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia developed in the Master in Advanced Architecture 2020/21 by:

Student: Ilaena Mariam Napier

Faculty: Davide Rovera