GOA Ventures gets more value from every kilo of seaweed

The global demand for sustainable proteins, bio-based raw materials and renewable energy is growing rapidly. At the same time, traditional production processes are putting increasing pressure on climate, nature and scarce resources. Many applications still require polluting or limited scalability alternatives. GOA Ventures sees seaweed as a raw material that can help solve several challenges at once.

Seaweed grows without fertile agricultural land and without fresh water. During growth, it absorbs CO2 and, if properly processed, can serve as a basis for food ingredients, materials and energy. In addition, the amount of seaweed in certain coastal areas is increasing. When this biomass washes ashore unused and rots, it can lead to inconvenience and environmental problems. High-quality use of seaweed creates a double opportunity: existing residual flows gain value and polluting alternatives can be partially replaced.

For GOA, the core is therefore not one product, but in using the raw material as fully as possible. Every kilo of seaweed must yield several value streams. In doing so, the company wants to contribute to a food and energy system that is less dependent on fossil sources, scarce agricultural land and intensive water use.

— Theo Verleun, CEO of GOA Ventures

GOA Ventures is developing an integrated process for the processing of fresh seaweed biomass. With the help of biotechnology, proteins are first extracted that can be suitable for human consumption. After that, the fibre and carbohydrates are extracted from the same batch. What remains is then converted into biogas via a rapid fermentation step. Part of that biogas can be used to power its own process.

This makes GOA's processing completely free of fossil fuels: the energy needed to process seaweed is generated from the seaweed biomass itself. This makes the process not only circular, but also independent of external, non-renewable energy sources.

This is what makes the proposition innovative. Where existing solutions often focus on one end product or rely on drying, chemical treatment and transport over long distances, GOA opts for local processing of fresh biomass. This can better preserve the quality of the raw material, reduce the environmental impact and keep more value in the chain.

In doing so, GOA is not only developing a new technology, but also a different chain model. Processing closer to the source can create greater local economic value to coastal communities, growers and processors. In addition, for coastal areas where traditional fishing is under pressure, seaweed processing can create new business opportunities.

GOA Ventures is in the phase where technology validation is translated into scaling. The first kilos of seaweed have now been processed in the GOA@EASE facility in Yerseke. In doing so, the company demonstrates the operation of the technology in practice and collects important data on, among other things, seasonal variation in seaweed composition and its impact on extraction results.

That data is important for the step to commercial scale. Seaweed is a natural raw material and its composition can vary by season, origin and species. By collecting real-world data in the pilot phase, GOA can further optimize the process and increase reliability towards future customers.

— Theo Verleun, CEO of GOA Ventures

Market interest is growing. Initial applications have also been tested with seaweed protein, including in products such as mayonnaise equivalents, cakes, cookies and miso soup. This creates insight into possible customers in the food industry, while the other flows can be relevant for materials and energy production.

GOA's strength lies in the combination of technology and chain thinking. The company wants to prevent valuable biomass from being only partially used. Extracting proteins, fibres, carbohydrates and energy from the same raw material creates a circular processing model with less waste and a broader economic base.

This approach fits in with the transitions that many sectors are facing. The food industry is looking for sustainable sources of protein. The industry is looking for biobased alternatives to materials. And the energy sector is looking for renewable sources that fit within a circular economy. GOA connects these questions in one integrated process.

— Sander Peltenburg, Startup & Scale-up Banker Food & Agri

In 2025, GOA Ventures won the EU-BlueInvest award in the category Sustainable Bioresources from the Ocean. This recognition has given the company extra visibility and led to support through a coaching programme with PwC. In addition, GOA received funding through Biotech Booster, from the National Growth Fund. This public support will be combined with funding from Rabobank to further realise the demonstration set-up.

Rabobank supports GOA Ventures with a Rabo Innovation Loan. This financing fits in with the phase the company is in: the step from proven technology to pilot and demonstration. It is precisely in this phase that capital is needed to bring technology, infrastructure, data and market validation closer to commercial application.

Rabobank's added value is not only in financing. The Startup & Scale-up team looks at the challenges associated with scaling up from the perspective of knowledge of innovative companies. For GOA, the combination of public funding and bank financing is important to get the pilot facility off the ground. In this way, Rabobank is helping to reduce the distance between technical validation and commercial scale.

— Theo Verleun, CEO of GOA Ventures

In the coming years, the focus will be on all further scaling up and validation for GOA Ventures. The company is working towards a larger demonstration or pilot installation and eventually commercial application. This requires technical optimisation, infrastructure, a strong production team and reliable chains for seaweed production, processing and offtake.

GOA is also seeking partnerships with parties that want to contribute to the further development of the market. This includes investors and strategic partners with a focus on sustainable food, alternative proteins, energy transition, maritime space or impact on nature, the environment and coastal communities.

— Theo Verleun, CEO of GOA Ventures

For Rabobank, GOA Ventures is an example of an innovative company that uses technology for multiple social transitions at the same time. The company is still at the beginning of commercial out roll, but the direction is clear: extract more value from a natural resource, less waste in the chain and create new opportunities for food, energy and coastal areas.

Startups and scale-ups are drivers of economic renewal through their innovative power. They make a significant contribution to solving societal challenges and are a key engine of economic growth and employment in the Netherlands. As such, this segment represents substantial strategic value for Rabobank. The Startup & Scale-up team supports entrepreneurs who share this mission in achieving sustainable growth by providing access to networks (including international ones), expertise, and financing. Ask for advice.