Algae Business Summit | White Paper

Attendance to the Algae Business Summit is on an invitation-only basis, however, if you would like to apply to attend, please follow this link to submit an expression of interest. 

About the Summit

Following the 2023 summit, the Deep Green Biotech Hub released the report Unlocking the growth and Innovation of the Australian Algae Industry: Insights from the 2023 Australian Business Summit, which represented 60% of Australian algae businesses, and won the MBCRC Spotlight award. This report outlines the key outcomes and recommendations from the event, offering guidance for policymakers, regulatory bodies, algae businesses and startups, and the private investment sector. 

 

Building on the success of the 2023 Algae business Summit and accompanying White Paper, the 2025 Australian Algae Business Summit is scheduled for the 29th May in Sydney.

 

This year's summit will aim to further expand on the insights from the 2023 Summit and White Paper, with a focus of strengthening the market internationally, while fostering and strengthening relationships and collaboration domestically. The key outcome will be the production of an industry roadmap for the progression of the Australian algae industry, which will map future steps to establish the Australian market as an international key player. 

The key theme the Summit aims to address is: 

“Connecting domestically and expanding internationally.”

Presented by the NSW Deep Green Biotech Hub in collaboration with the Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre and AgriFutures, the Algae Business Summit is an opportunity for stakeholders in industry, government and academia to share knowledge and identify key issues and opportunities surrounding the development of the algae industry within Australia.

 

Industry Vision: The vision for the Australian Algae Industry is to foster growth, innovation and international competitiveness, leveraging its unique selling points to contribute value to the global bioeconomy. 

 

To access the Algae Business Summit 2023 White Paper, please kindly follow the link below and complete the form. The information you provide will remain confidential and will not be shared. It is collected for reporting purposes.     

 

                      To download the report, please click here

 

 

Objectives

Objectives:

-       Collaboratively produce an Industry Roadmap 

-       Identify Australia's key strengths and how to utilise them fully in the international market

-       Network and foster relationships domestically, streamlining collaboration and knowledge sharing

Agenda

The agenda will be continuously updated in the coming months, watch this space for updates. 

Introduction Dr Alex Thomson Overview and Introduction  Professor Peter Ralph  Welcome and Industry Snapshot

Plenary Presentation  Jon Kallen   Industry Models: Lessons from Global Success Stories

Session 1: Unlocking Domestic Market Opportunities for Growth  Daniel Murphy Opportunities for Algae Industry Growth in Regional NSW MBCRC Representative

Session 2: Mapping Australia's Strengths for Future International Potential  Marni Oaten

Session 3: Creating a Roadmap  Olivia Reynolds

Speakers

Dr Alex Thomson Industry Manager at Climate Change Cluster  Dr Alex Thomson is the Industry Engagement Manager for the Climate Change Cluster (C3) research institute at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) where she leads the engagement of research in creating climate solutions for the planet, from the planet. With a PhD in marine ecology, she was formerly a lecturer in the School of Life Sciences at UTS, and a Science and Technology Australia ‘Superstar of STEM’.   Through the Deep Green Biotech Hub, she spearheaded the world’s first dedicated algae accelerator program - joining biotechnology and entrepreneurship, and creating opportunities for STEM-preneurs across NSW to accelerate algae innovation and engage with science.  She is the co-Producer of the Splendour in the Grass Science Tent, a TEDx speaker, and a big fan of algae and how it can change our planet.	Professor Peter Ralph Executive Director of Climate Change Cluster  Peter Ralph, expert in photosynthesis and pigments biosynthesis in algae. Peter has over 20 years of experience in aquatic photosynthesis research, making significant advances in the understanding of photosynthesis and biomass production in algae. In 2013, he created a new research program that applies his knowledge in photobiology, biophysics and cellular biochemistry to develop sustainable raw algae materials to grow the emerging algal biotechnology sector in Australia. He works with a wide range of start-ups, SMEs, not-for-profits, NGOs and multi-nations to deliver a sustainable circular bioeconomy.	Dr Jon Kallen  Executive Director of Algae Biomass Organization  Jon has extensive experience in the agricultural technology, biotechnology, renewable energy, regulated energy, water/wastewater infrastructure, sustainable manufacturing and environmental services sectors.  Jon is an attorney and engineer with over 25 years of experience working for large-diversified energy companies, engineering consulting firms, and early stage private equity renewable energy/infrastructure project developers.    Jon is currently the Managing Partner of Jennings Kallen Advisors, LLC.   Headquartered in Des Moines, Jennings Kallen Advisors, LLC is a specialized strategic advisory practice focused on the environmental infrastructure, agricultural technology, biotechnology, sustainable manufacturing and renewable energy sectors. Jon also serves as the Executive Director of the Algae Biomass Organization, a leading algae trade association with over 150 members in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia.
Daniel Murphy    Currently a Senior Investment Manager at the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Daniel has 20+ years of experience in economic development, business development, stakeholder management and environmental projects. He has lead strategic initiatives including one of Australia’s first community solar farms through to investment attraction projects for the agribusiness, healthcare, defence and aerospace sectors. At all times he seeks to deliver these investments with alignment to environment and the community outcomes.     Daniel holds a Masters degree in Environment and Sustainability and a Bachelors of International Business and is passionate about creating positive impact and contributing to the sustainable development of our regions. More recently he managed the development of the NSW Seaweed Prospectus.	Marni Oaten  Executive Director at OCTES  Marni Oaten is the co-founder of OCTES, a consultancy and venture development firm specialising in circular economy and energy transition solutions.   Marni contributed to the Blue Economy CRC's work on Ocean Carbon Removal in Australia and New Zealand, ocean energy, and offshore kelp production systems. She is also playing a key role in shaping Australia's seaweed industry, leading reports such as the Seaweed Industry Prospectus for NSW State Government (2024) and Seaweed Industry Development and Economic Impact Report for Australian Sustainable Seaweed Alliance (2025).  Marni focuses on commercial ventures that advance nature-based solutions and biomaterials. Her work aims to address the challenges of developing value chains for seaweed-derived bioproducts.  Marni holds an MBA and a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.

 

The NSW Deep Green Biotech Hub is Australia’s first and only algae innovation hub, supported by Investment NSW and hosted by the Climate Change Cluster, at the University of Technology Sydney. The Deep Green Biotech Hub provides training, advocacy and innovation services to a range of stakeholders and seeks to support the development of an Australian algae bioeconomy that can respond to the challenge of sustainable economic development.

The Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre (MBCRC) is a proud gold sponsor of the Algae Business Summit 2025, hosted by the Deep Green Biotech Hub at University of Technology Sydney (UTS).  MBCRC is Australia’s largest research and development hub dedicated to producing new and sustainable products from our marine environment, and brings together more than 50 partners from academia and industry. We are excited to support our partner organisation UTS and look forward to contributing to the development of recommendations to enhance the growth of the algae industry and bring innovative ideas to unlock future pathways for advancement.

 

 

AgriFutures Australia is one of 15 Research and Development Corporations (RDCs) that service the Research, Development and Extension (RD&E) needs of Australian rural industries. We represent the research needs for 13 thriving rural industries (chicken meat, rice, honey bee and pollination, ginger, tea tree oil, pasture seeds, export fodder, thoroughbred horses, kangaroo, buffalo, deer, goat fibre and ratite), delivering research and innovation that aims to give our farmers and producers real returns, as well as prepare them to thrive into the future.

 

The Climate Change Cluster (C3) at the University of Technology Sydney is a research institute that produces new insights into problems facing marine ecosystems by working at the intersection of the physical and life sciences. C3 transforms society through scientific discovery, by delivering meaningful innovations to Australia's bio-economy. We deliver research and innovations that make a real impact for communities, government and commercial partners.