Over the next 4 months, b.fab will attend an intensive program in Norway, Singapore and Vietnam to get acquainted with the global aquaculture community, all beginning in Kona, Hawaiʻi.
Hawai´i, 16/07/2024. Next to 8 other start-ups looking to bring their technology into the aquaculture sector, b.fab was selected to be part of the latest group of participants to the CREST accelerator by Hatch Blue. The program kicked-off in Hawaiʻi at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaiʻi Authority’s HOST Park (Hawaiʻi Ocean Science and Technology) in July and will continue in Norway (Sept.) finishing up in Singapore/ Vietnam (Nov.). The CREST accelerator aims to introduce the start-ups to the aquaculture industry at the most active aquaculture hotspots in the world and elaborate on the individual solutions for the industry. The Hatch team and renowned aquaculture experts will train and advise the cohort members in the most relevant topics and trends of the industry.
b.fab chose the CREST accelerator for it´s world-leading aquaculture expertise and its close relationship to the industry. b.fab´s first product is SusteinTM, a single cell protein made from CO2-based formate, with excellent properties for feed applications in aquaculture. SusteinTM is made from CO2 and renewable electricity using a simple fermentation process and requiring minimal land use (14x less than soy protein). Together with Hatch Blue, b.fab will elaborate on the product solution to address the most pressing challenges of the aquaculture industry.
The accelerator program is built around industry presentations, workshops, mentor sessions and site visits to get in-depth insights of the industry. In addition, the program includes valuable deliverables for the start-ups to foster their business plan and success in the market. Specifically, the start-ups receive: 1. Life Cycle Assessment for the product with Blonk Sustainability, 2. Marketing & Branding Strategy with The Fish Site, 3. Market & Competitor Study with Hatch Innovation Services, and 4. Intellectual Property Strategy with Hatch Innovation Services. At the last stop in Singapore, the program will end with a demo day with pitches to the most relevant aquaculture investors.
“We are more than excited to join the program. For us it is a great chance to get close to the aquaculture industry and learn more about the specific pain points in their operation. The program will provide us with all necessary tools to lift our company to the next level and start the commercialization of our first product SusteinTM.” stated Dr. Frank Kensy, Managing Director & Co-founder of b.fab.
Wayne Murphy, co-founder & partner of Hatch Blue commented, “CREST is delighted to have b.fab on board as we seek to support and develop more creative solutions to the many challenges in the sector, particularly in the feed market. b.fab´s solution is certainly unique and we see a huge potential for b.fab´s protein solution to drive change in the feedstock base of the aquaculture industry and at the same time increasing more sustainable carbon efficient options and in turn relieving the pressure and negative impact on the oceans.“
Foto: Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaiʻi Authority’s HOST Park – thanks to Hatch Blue for providing the foto.