cellana

What cellana does

Cellana is a privately held algae biotechnology company founded in 2009 and headquartered in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. It operates a photosynthetic algae production platform built on two complementary, patented technologies: the outdoor ALDUO™ hybrid system, which has produced approximately 30,000 kg of EPA-rich microalgae biomass across large-scale operations in Hawaii, Florida, Arizona, Georgia, and California, and the indoor SPAGS™ (Sterile Plastic Algal Growth System) fermentation technology acquired via PhytoSmart. More than a decade of industrial-scale outdoor production and participation in the U.S. Department of Energy ATP3 program—where its data was named the 2016 "State of Technology" benchmark—underpin its techno-economic validation.

The company monetizes this platform through two complementary go-to-market motions. The consumer side is the PhytoSmart brand, which sells whole-algae DHA Omega-3 pet supplements directly via PhytoSmart.com and Amazon, with seven active SKUs as of 2025 expected to roughly double in 2026, plus emerging wholesale and distributor channels. The B2B side targets nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, food, and feed manufacturers with high-purity EPA+DHA ingredient complexes, algae biomass, and plant-based proteins, with human nutrition and functional foods planned for 2026 expansion.

Cellana's current revenue base is small and concentrated in pet nutrition, with no disclosed revenue figure, no disclosed funding rounds, and headcount of 11–50. The strategic narrative is a staged platform expansion from pet supplements into higher-value human nutrition, functional ingredients, and industrial applications, leveraging validated production economics and a decade of operational data as the primary differentiators.

Name

cellana

Legal name

Cellana, Inc.

Website

https://cellana.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cellana is an algae biotechnology company developing sustainable microalgae-based bioproducts—whole-algae omega-3 pet supplements, plant-based proteins, and EPA/DHA ingredient complexes—for pet nutrition, human nutrition, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and food/feed markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Kailua Kona

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Consumer Algae Products (PhytoSmart Brand): Direct-to-consumer sales of whole-algae nutrition products including DHA Omega-3 pet supplements via PhytoSmart.com, Amazon, and expanding retail channels. Revenue-generating platform with seven active SKUs as of 2025, expected to double in 2026.
2. Algae Ingredients and Biomass: Sale of algae biomass, omega-3 ingredients, and plant-based proteins to nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, food, and feed manufacturers. High-value ingredients including EPA+DHA complexes for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical uses.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Cellana develops and produces algae-based bioproducts using two complementary proprietary platforms: the patented ALDUO™ outdoor photosynthetic hybrid system and the patented SPAGS™ indoor whole-cell fermentation system. The company sells whole-algae DHA Omega-3 pet supplements through its consumer brand PhytoSmart (via PhytoSmart.com, Amazon, and expanding retail/wholesale channels) and supplies high-purity EPA + DHA omega-3 complexes and plant-based algae proteins to nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, food, and feed manufacturers.

Product overview

Cellana is a science-led algae biotechnology company operating a staged, scalable algae-based nutrition and ingredient platform. The company combines two complementary technologies: Cellana's industrial foundation provides proven outdoor photosynthetic algae production through its patented ALDUO hybrid system (~30,000 kg biomass produced), while PhytoSmart serves as the commercial accelerator with its patented SPAGS indoor fermentation technology. The platform spans consumer products (PhytoSmart whole-algae pet supplements with 7 active SKUs) and industrial ingredients (EPA/DHA omega-3 complexes, plant-based proteins) for food, feed, supplements, and specialty ingredient applications. The phased expansion strategy moves from pet nutrition today into human nutrition and functional foods beginning in 2026.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PhytoSmart: Consumer-facing brand for whole-algae nutrition products, including DHA-Omega-3 pet supplements sold via Amazon and PhytoSmart.com.

Products and services

• Whole-Algae DHA Omega-3 Pet Supplements (PhytoSmart) Whole-algae, fish-free, non-GMO DHA Omega-3 nutritional supplements designed for companion animal nutrition, sold direct-to-consumer through the PhytoSmart brand via PhytoSmart.com, Amazon, and expanding retail, wholesale, and distributor channels.
• EPA + DHA Omega-3 Ingredient Complexes High-purity EPA + DHA omega-3 ingredient complexes derived from algae biomass, supplied to nutraceutical and pharmaceutical manufacturers for use in dietary supplements and pharmaceutical formulations as a sustainable, fish-free alternative to marine-sourced omega-3s.
• Algae-Based Plant Proteins Sustainable, plant-based protein ingredients derived from algae biomass, supplied to food manufacturers and animal feed producers as an alternative to conventional animal-based proteins.
• PhytoSmart Whole-Algae Human Omega-3 Supplements Planned whole-algae omega-3 nutritional products for human consumption under the PhytoSmart brand, expanding from the existing pet supplement line into human supplements, functional foods, and ingredient markets beginning in 2026.

Quantifiable outcome

• ~30,000 kg of algae biomass produced using ALDUO™ system
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• PhytoSmartcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Cellana acquired PhytoSmart to integrate proven industrial foundation with revenue-generating whole-cell algae platform. PhytoSmart brings established consumer brand with repeat purchasers, seven active SKUs, and patented SPAGS™ indoor fermentation technology. Combined platform enables staged expansion from pet nutrition to human nutrition and ingredient markets.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• AlgaTechnologies (Algatech): Algatech produces AstaPure astaxanthin and other microalgae-derived ingredients for nutraceutical, cosmetic, and food applications. Comparable to Cellana as a microalgae ingredient company with commercial production and B2B sales channels.
• Cyanotech Corporation: Cyanotech is a Hawaii-based producer of microalgae-based nutraceutical ingredients (spirulina, BioAstin astaxanthin) sold as branded supplements and B2B ingredients. Closely comparable to Cellana as a Hawaii-headquartered outdoor microalgae cultivator selling both consumer supplements and ingredients.
• Heliae Development: Heliae is an Arizona-based microalgae cultivation company producing proprietary algae-based ingredients for agriculture, human, and animal nutrition. Comparable to Cellana as a U.S.-based microalgae producer developing EPA-rich strains and food/feed applications.

Broad incumbents

• Earthrise Nutritionals (DIC Corporation): Earthrise is one of the world's largest producers of spirulina algae, sold as dietary supplements and food ingredients. Comparable to Cellana as a large-scale outdoor microalgae cultivator with both consumer and ingredient revenue streams.
• Roquette (Plant-based proteins): Roquette is a global leader in plant-based proteins (pea, etc.) for food, nutrition, and pharmaceutical applications. Comparable to Cellana as a producer of sustainable, plant-based protein ingredients for B2B food and feed channels.
• ADM (Omega-3 and alternative proteins): ADM is a global ingredient giant with both fish-derived and plant-based omega-3 offerings, plus a growing alternative protein portfolio. Comparable to Cellana as a B2B supplier of omega-3 and protein ingredients to nutraceutical, food, and feed manufacturers.
• Corbion (Algae-based omega-3 platform): Corbion produces algae-based DHA omega-3 ingredients for infant nutrition, dietary supplements, and food applications. Comparable as a commercial-scale algae omega-3 ingredient supplier targeting nutraceutical and food channels.
• Veramaris (DSM-firmenich / Evonik JV): Veramaris is a leading commercial producer of algae-based EPA & DHA omega-3 oils for aquaculture, pet, and human nutrition. Directly comparable to Cellana as an algae-derived omega-3 producer, but operating at substantially larger commercial scale under DSM-firmenich and Evonik ownership.

Emerging players

• Terviva: Terviva produces plant-based protein ingredients from pongamia trees for food and feed applications. Comparable to Cellana as an emerging sustainable protein ingredient company serving food and feed markets from a non-conventional source.
• Viridos (formerly Synthetic Genomics): Viridos develops algae-based biofuels and high-value bioproducts from engineered microalgae strains. Comparable to Cellana as a U.S.-based algae biotechnology company with patented cultivation technology targeting industrial-scale markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cellana
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@PhytoSmart
• Facebookfacebook.com/PhytoSmart
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cellana-llc
• Instagraminstagram.com/phytosmartomega

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about cellana