Sucking up CO2Kelp-farming carbon-sinking robots.
Big Picture
Oceans represent two-thirds of the Earth’s surface and are the main theater of war for climate change, even more than forests. From acidification to pollution to temperature rise, human activity has altered the ocean’s chemistry in ways that may not be undone even if we slash CO2 emissions from land-based sources. Reversing these impacts at scale requires technology that accelerates the ocean’s organic rejuvenation.
How it Works
Running Tide uses robotics to drive the highest throughput aquaculture farms in the world. They pre-grow kelp or shellfish “seeds” in hatcheries where they can carefully calibrate salinity, temperatures, and other factors that determine taste and growth. Seeds are then transferred to automated ocean farms for the final growth stages. The result is premium shellfish at a fraction of the cost, time, and space.
Unfair Advantage
In automating shellfish farming, Running Tide produces a sustainable, premium, and carbon-negative protein source as cheaply as chicken nuggets but with a vastly healthier nutrition profile. The hatcheries and robotic fleet also serve other forms of aquaculture, like kelp production. The unavoidable by-products are restoration of marine habitats and large-scale carbon removal.
12
Kg of CO2
removed per 100 Kg of oysters
MARTY ODLIN CEO & FOUNDER
Marty studied robotics at Dartmouth, managed a fleet of five fishing boats, and his family has been in the offshore fishing business for generations.
Follow: @martyodlin
What’s Good for the Ocean May Also Be Good for Business
The New York Times
Maine Startup Aims To Pull Carbon Out Of The Atmosphere By Growing — And Then Sinking — Kelp Farms
NPR
Forget planting trees: This company is making carbon offsets by putting seaweed on the ocean floor
Fast Company
Running Tide CEO is helping solve the climate crisis by using kelp to sequester carbon in the ocean
This Week in Startups with Jason Calacanis