Pure Ocean Algae
Pure Ocean Algae is an Irish macro-algae biotechnology company operating a vertically integrated hatchery-to-processing platform for cultivated Palmaria palmata (dulse), selling dried seaweed biomass to pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food sectors and a capsule nutraceutical range to Irish and UK consumers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersCork, Ireland
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Pure Ocean Algae does
Pure Ocean Algae is a macro-algae biotechnology company founded in 2019 and headquartered on the Beara Peninsula in West Cork, Ireland. It operates what it describes as Ireland's first end-to-end commercial production platform for Palmaria palmata (red dulse seaweed), spanning land-based hatchery operations, licensed sea cultivation sites (40 hectares currently licensed, with a stated target of 500 hectares over three years through farmer partnerships), and primary processing in a 20,000 sq ft facility. The company reports a land-based vegetative production system that achieves growth rates approaching 100% per week and positions its cultivated biomass as carbon-negative, requiring no freshwater, land, or fertiliser inputs.
The company runs a dual-channel revenue model. On the B2B side, it sells dried seaweed biomass and protein isolates to pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food/vegetable protein buyers, with dried dulse reportedly commanding prices above €120 per kilogram. On the B2C side, launched in April 2026, it markets a five-SKU capsule supplement range (Pure Hormone Balance, Pure Beauty, Pure Trace Mineral, Pure Brain Health, Pure Gut Health) targeting Irish and UK wellness and beauty consumers through direct e-commerce at pureocean.ie, with EU and Asian expansion planned for later in 2026.
Commercially, the company is at an early stage. It closed a €1.5 million seed round in August 2022 led by The Yield Lab Europe with co-investment from Enterprise Ireland, Carbery Group, and Sea-ahead Blue Angel Group, and received a €62,500 grant in March 2026 under the Mara Blue marine biorefinery feasibility study with Munster Technological University. Headcount stood at seven (five full-time plus two part-time) at the time of seed funding with stated plans to expand to twelve full-time staff; revenue is undisclosed but materially small given the company is essentially pre-launch in consumer markets and at pilot-to-early-commercial scale in B2B.
Pure Ocean Algae firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Pure Ocean Algae
- Legal name
- Pure Ocean Algae
- Website
- https://pureoceanalgae.ie
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Pure Ocean Algae is an Irish macro-algae biotechnology company operating a vertically integrated hatchery-to-processing platform for cultivated Palmaria palmata (dulse), selling dried seaweed biomass to pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food sectors and a capsule nutraceutical range to Irish and UK consumers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Pure Ocean Algae industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Macro-algae biotechnology and seaweed-derived nutraceuticals
- NAICS
- Aquaculture (1125), Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging (3117), Other Aquaculture (112519)
- SIC
- Food And Kindred Products (2000), Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Seaweed & Algae Aquaculture (incl. microalgae) (AFAEAAAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Algae & Seaweed Proteins (Microalgae/Spirulina, Macroalgae) (AFAJAHAF), Aquaculture Processing & On-Farm Value-Add (primary handling, icing, packing) (AFAEAAAN), Offshore & Open-Ocean Aquaculture (AFAEAAAH), Seaweed Hydrocolloids (Agar, Carrageenan, Alginates) (AFAJAMAD)
Keywords
Where Pure Ocean Algae is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cork
- HQ country
- Ireland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Pure Ocean Algae business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Nutraceutical/Health Supplement Sales: Sale of cultivated red seaweed supplements in capsule form directly to consumers through e-commerce. Initial product range includes Pure Hormone Balance, Pure Beauty, and Pure Trace Mineral targeting wellness, beauty, and women's health sectors.
- Seaweed Biomass and Protein Products: Sale of dried seaweed biomass and protein isolate products to pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food/vegetable protein sectors. Dried seaweed commands retail prices of more than €120 per kilogram.
- Marine Biorefinery Development: Long-term ambition to transform seaweed and fish by-products into high-value functional foods, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, animal feed, and biomedical ingredients for global markets through the proposed marine biorefinery.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Pure Ocean Algae product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Pure Ocean Algae operates Ireland's first commercial end-to-end production platform for Palmaria palmata (dulse) red seaweed, integrating hatchery operations, licensed sea-based cultivation, and primary processing. It sells dried seaweed biomass and protein isolates to pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food-sector buyers, and markets a range of capsule-form nutraceutical supplements (Pure Hormone Balance, Pure Beauty, Pure Trace Mineral, Pure Brain Health, Pure Gut Health) directly to consumers through its own e-commerce storefront.
Product overview
Pure Ocean Algae is a macro-algae based biotechnology company offering a vertically integrated value chain from seaweed cultivation to finished nutraceutical products. The core platform consists of Ireland's first end-to-end commercial production system for Palmaria palmata (dulse/red seaweed), covering hatchery operations, licensed sea growing sites (40 hectares licensed, with plans to expand to 500 hectares), and primary processing facilities. The company markets five branded capsule-form health supplements—Pure Hormone Balance, Pure Beauty, Pure Trace Mineral, Pure Brain Health, and Pure Gut Health—all formulated with seaweed-derived ingredients and targeting wellness, beauty, and health sectors. The products are produced from cultivated (not wild-harvested) red seaweed, initially entering the Irish and UK markets with EU and Asian expansion planned.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Pure Hormone Balance: Capsule-form health supplement targeting monthly balance and well-being, supporting hormone balance, reducing tiredness and fatigue, thyroid health, and overall well-being. Contains Pure Ocean Algae Formula, Pure Ocean S² Blend, Iodine, Magnesium, and Vitamins B6 & B12.
- Pure Beauty
- Pure Trace Mineral
- Pure Brain Health
- Pure Gut Health
Products and services
- Pure Hormone Balance Capsule-form nutraceutical supplement targeting monthly balance and well-being, combining Pure Ocean Algae Formula with Pure Ocean S² Blend, Iodine, Magnesium, Vitamins B6 & B12, and Folate to support hormone balance, reduce tiredness and fatigue, support thyroid health, and contribute to overall well-being. Sold direct to consumers.
- Pure Beauty Capsule-form beauty supplement combining Pure Ocean Algae Formula with Pure Ocean S² Blend, Hyaluronic Acid & Marine Collagen, Biotin & Riboflavin, Vitamin A (Retinol), and Turmeric Extract to support clear complexion, stimulate collagen formation, reduce skin outbreaks, and contribute to healthy skin, hair and nails. Sold direct to consumers.
- Pure Trace Mineral Capsule-form supplement combining Pure Ocean Algae Formula with Pure Ocean S² Blend, Selenium, Manganese, Zinc, and a Calcified Seaweed Source to provide highly bioavailable minerals for optimal health and immune system support. Sold direct to consumers.
- Pure Brain Health Capsule-form nootropic supplement combining Pure Ocean Algae Formula with Pure Ocean S² Blend, homegrown Lion's Mane Extract, Bacopa Monnieri, L-Theanine, and Vitamins B6 & B12 to support enhanced concentration, overall brain health, and cognitive function. Sold direct to consumers.
- Pure Gut Health Capsule-form gut-health supplement combining Pure Ocean Algae Formula with Pure Ocean S² Blend, a multi-strain probiotic blend, trace mineral complex, Vitamin D, and Vitamin B12 to support healthy gut microbiota and normal immune system function. Sold direct to consumers.
- Palmaria palmata (Dulse) Seaweed Production Platform Vertically integrated end-to-end production platform for Palmaria palmata (dulse) red seaweed covering land-based vegetative hatchery production, licensed sea-based cultivation across 80 hectares (planned expansion to 500 hectares), and primary processing. Sold as dried seaweed biomass and protein isolates to pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food/vegetable protein manufacturers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Growth rates approaching 100% per week in land-based vegetative production systems
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Pure Ocean Algae
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Pure Ocean Algae technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Pure Ocean Algae partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Munster Technological UniversitycoreMunster Technological University leads the Mara Blue initiative for Ireland's first full-scale marine biorefinery in Castletownbere. The €62,500 feasibility study is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and EU through ERDF. Pure Ocean Algae is a collaborator on this project evaluating technical, commercial, and community potential for the facility earmarked for Dinish Island.
- Castletownbere Fishermen's Co-OpcoreThe Castletownbere Fishermen's Co-Op is collaborating with Munster Technological University and Pure Ocean Algae on the Mara Blue marine biorefinery feasibility study. Long-term ambition is to transform seaweed and fish by-products into high-value products for global markets.
- Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM)coreThe Irish Seafood Development Authority (BIM) published a seaweed farming development strategy targeting the sector for job creation. CEO Caroline Bocquel stated support for increasing farmed seaweed volume in Ireland. BIM provides grants, technical advice, and market advice to the industry.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Pure Ocean Algae competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Acadian Seaplants: Acadian Seaplants is Canada's largest independent marine plant processor, producing cultivated and wild-harvested seaweed extracts for crop nutrition, animal feed, and human nutrition. It is the most direct large-scale analog to Pure Ocean Algae's vertically integrated seaweed-to-biomass platform.
- Algaia: Algaia is a French marine ingredients company producing seaweed extracts and hydrocolloids (carrageenan, alginates) for food, cosmetics, and nutraceutical applications. It competes directly in the seaweed biomass and bioactive ingredient B2B market Pure Ocean Algae targets.
- Mara Renewables: Mara Renewables is a Canadian algae biotechnology company producing DHA-rich omega-3 oils and other algae-based ingredients for food, nutraceutical, and aquaculture feed markets. It is a closely comparable algae biotech in the same product/customer space.
Regional players
- Ocean Harvest Technology: Ocean Harvest Technology is an Irish seaweed ingredient company producing proprietary seaweed-based functional ingredients for animal feed and human nutrition. It is a regional peer operating in the same Irish seaweed supply chain and competing for similar B2B customers.
- BioAtlantis: BioAtlantis is an Irish biotechnology company that develops marine-derived bioactive compounds for animal health, crop science, and human nutrition. It is a regional peer in Ireland applying marine biotechnology to nutraceutical and agricultural markets.
Broad incumbents
- Corbion: Corbion is a global ingredient supplier producing algae-based ingredients (including DHA from microalgae) for food, nutrition, and personal care. It is a broad incumbent with overlapping capabilities in algae-derived functional ingredients but a much wider portfolio.
- Cargill (Algae Ingredients): Cargill is a global agribusiness giant with algae and seaweed ingredient programs for food, feed, and industrial applications. It is a broad incumbent that competes for B2B ingredient contracts in the same end markets Pure Ocean Algae targets.
- DuPont (now IFF) - Algae Ingredients: DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences (now part of IFF) developed and commercialised algae-derived DHA and protein ingredients for food and nutrition markets. It is a broad incumbent in the algae/functional ingredient space with significantly more scale and distribution.
Emerging players
- Symbrosia: Symbrosia is a Hawaii-based agtech startup using cultivated seaweed (in particular Asparagopsis) as a feed additive to reduce livestock methane emissions. It is an emerging player in the cultivated-seaweed-for-industrial-applications space, with a similar startup profile to Pure Ocean Algae.
- Sea6 Energy: Sea6 Energy is an Indian marine biotechnology company cultivating tropical seaweed at scale for food, feed, and bioenergy applications. It is an emerging player in the cultivated seaweed space with a similar full-stack cultivation-to-product business model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Pure Ocean Algae social profiles
Digital presencePure Ocean Algae financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Pure Ocean Algae leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Pure Ocean Algae funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Pure Ocean Algae M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Pure Ocean Algae
What does Pure Ocean Algae do?
Pure Ocean Algae operates Ireland's first commercial end-to-end production platform for Palmaria palmata (dulse) red seaweed, integrating hatchery operations, licensed sea-based cultivation, and primary processing. It sells dried seaweed biomass and protein isolates to pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food-sector buyers, and markets a range of capsule-form nutraceutical supplements (Pure Hormone Balance, Pure Beauty, Pure Trace Mineral, Pure Brain Health, Pure Gut Health) directly to consumers through its own e-commerce storefront.
Is Pure Ocean Algae a public or private company?
Pure Ocean Algae is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Pure Ocean Algae founded?
Pure Ocean Algae was founded in 2019. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Pure Ocean Algae based?
Pure Ocean Algae is headquartered in Cork, Ireland, in the Europe region.
How does Pure Ocean Algae make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Nutraceutical/Health Supplement Sales are the primary driver. The others are seaweed Biomass and Protein Products and marine Biorefinery Development.
Who are Pure Ocean Algae's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Acadian Seaplants, Algaia and Mara Renewables. Regional players are Ocean Harvest Technology and BioAtlantis. Broad incumbents are Corbion, Cargill (Algae Ingredients) and DuPont (now IFF) - Algae Ingredients. Emerging players are Symbrosia and Sea6 Energy.
Does Pure Ocean Algae have an API?
No public API is recorded for Pure Ocean Algae.
What industry is Pure Ocean Algae in?
Pure Ocean Algae's product category is Macro-algae biotechnology and seaweed-derived nutraceuticals. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAEAAAE, Seaweed & Algae Aquaculture (incl. microalgae), with a secondary code of AFAJAHAF, Algae & Seaweed Proteins (Microalgae/Spirulina, Macroalgae). Its NAICS code is 1125 and its SIC code is 2000.