OCTES Ventures: Bio2X - Algae Biomass Solutions Platform - Seeking partners

Opportunity for

• Algae / Seaweed producers and processors with biomass, by-products or excess stock
• Startups, SMEs, and corporates exploring alternative marine ingredients or circular feedstock
• Research groups or formulators interested in trialling algae-based nutraceutical, cosmetic, or food solutions
• Strategic partners and funders seeking pilot-ready commercialisation projects (blended foods, functional supplements, bioproducts)
• Regional processors or infrastructure owners with available capacity for pre-processing, drying, milling or extraction

Opportunity description

Industry challenge

Australia’s algae sector is expanding rapidly, yet valuable biomass—especially by-products and invasive species—remains underutilised. Primary producers are often disconnected from processors and buyers. Formulators face cost, access, and consistency barriers. This dis-connect stalls product development and commercialisation across high-potential segments including supplements, pet nutrition, skincare, packaging and agriculture.
There is a clear opportunity to de-risk early-stage bioproduct ventures, unlock niche (local Australian sourced) biomass inputs, and build vertically aligned supply chains with regenerative impact.

Current opportunity

Bio2X is a newly launched sourcing and commercialisation platform. It connects hard-to-find seaweed biomass and underused by-products with qualified customers, including manufacturers, formulators and research teams. The initiative is inviting early collaboration to:

• Register biomass and processing capability (including waste streams, trial inputs)
• Signal interest in sourcing Australian macroalgae or niche biomass at commercial or trial scale
• Co-develop pilot products to validate market fit and prove technical feasibility Initial partners will help build the sourcing matrix, shape processing workflows, and develop costed SKUs to enabling future offtake agreements, shared IP, and funding pathways.

Opportunity background

Led by OCTES Ventures co-founder Marni Oaten, a former engineer and strategic advisor with deep algae sector experience. Incubated through Deloitte Emissions Solutions, inspired by involvement with industry networks and programs with the Australian Sustainable Seaweed Alliance (ASSA), Marine Bioproducts CRC, Blue Economy CRC, government groups, and local processors. Over 100 participants have expressed early interest across supplier, R&D, and investment domains.

Potential other applications

While Bio2X is currently focused on Australian algae, the model is built to scale across agri-waste and niche biomass streams. Under development is an Algae Solutions Portfolio, where Bio2X enables modular ventures such as:

1. Processing Hubs – co-located infrastructure for biomass aggregation, pre-processing, blending, and compound extraction
2. Functional Blend – pet and human health SKUs aligned with clean-label demand and therapeutic need
3. Regenerative Cultivation – saline-affected land restoration using macroalgae and halophytes
4. Remediation Pathways – converting harmful algal blooms into traceable, circular feedstock for safe-use bioproducts Together, these streams form a scalable, place-based bio industrial portfolio, grounded in regeneration and commercial viability. Bio2X will activate opportunities for regional development, circular economy solutions, and biomanufacturing ventures. Ongoing partnerships with processors, financial groups, and infrastructure owners are exploring pre-sales, microfinancing, and shared IP ventures to drive scale.