Ofeoritse Blessing Allen-Adebayo
Algaenic removes harmful algal blooms from UK freshwaters and converts the biomass into feedstocks for sustainable fuels and materials.
Project
Algaenic Ltd
URL
Year founded
2026
Business stage
Pre-Seed
High-growth sectors
Life Sciences
Sector
Sustainability
Location
East of England
Funding
Funded Award Winner
The problem and opportunity
Harmful algal blooms are increasing across UK rivers, lakes and reservoirs. Water companies now remove biomass to protect water quality and public health, but recovered biomass is treated as waste and disposed of at high cost because no validated UK evidence exists for managing it safely and economically once removed. This bottleneck limits how widely removal can scale, and blocks value capture for water companies, regulators, and communities.
The solution and innovation
Algaenic is running a 12-month, lab-scale validation of biomass stabilisation and conversion pathways using live cyanobacterial material from UK waters, generating the first UK decision-grade evidence on carbon permanence, toxicity reduction, and commercial performance. This de-risks the downstream half of bloom management, turning waste disposal into a credible route to circular materials, with early investor interest through Carbon13.
Market and ambition
Algaenic targets water companies, reservoir operators and environmental contractors facing rising Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Bloom (cyanoHAB) management costs. Early traction includes water-sector pilot trials and Carbon13 backing. Over the next two years, we aim to convert recovered bloom biomass into paid pilots, sustainable and carbon-permanent materials.
Founder perspective
Dr Allen-Adebayo is an environmental microbiologist and climate-tech founder shaped by the water pollution of the Niger Delta, where water defined life and livelihood. Holding a PhD in environmental microbiology and bioremediation, she leads Algaenic’s science, operations and biomass valorisation strategy.
Women in Innovation Award
Recipient of an Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award 2025/26, receiving funding, tailored business support, and access to specialist training and networks. View all winners and highly commended applicants from the Women in Innovation cohort 2025/2026.