Microalgae for Human Supplementation

A recent study by The Lancet showed that 1 in 5 deaths occurs from problems caused by poor diet. The study concluded that one of the most fatal diets are those with insufficient nutrient intake. Therefore, we will produce microalgae for human supplementation in powder and tablet. A superfood, practical, controlled production and with carbon fixation. Aiming to have the most integrated and sustainable production possible to minimize the carbon footprint and virtual water associated with the product. Microalgae are considered by the WHO superfood because of the composition rich in nutrients such as: vegan protein (60%), vitamins (eg B12), minerals, omega 3 and 6, antioxidants and phytochemicals. This composition makes the microalgae have properties such as: improving satiety, controlling blood sugar, anti-inflammatory action, increased immunity, reduced anemia and pressure, promoting wellness, in addition to studies on combating and preventing diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's.

The Lancet’s study showed that 1 in 5 deaths occurs from problems caused by poor diet. About 11 million people die every year, being the biggest cause of death in the world. The study concluded that one of the most fatal diets are those with insufficient nutrient intake. The authors argue that the authorities should focus on promoting balanced diets and access to healthy products instead of focusing only on restricting less healthy foods.
The mainly impact is in improving the health of those who consume microalgae, increasing immunity, preventing and combating diseases. Consequently, will have positive impact on health systems.
In addition the decrease in the consumption of animal protein mitigate the socio-environmental impact linked to the entire production chain of this type of food. WRI shows impacts of livestock on the climate and that methane emissions from ruminant animals are responsible for up to 30% of global anthropogenic methane emissions. Moreover shows that consumption can be more efficient by reducing the presence of emissions-intensive products in the diet, such as beef, replacing with plant-based foods.
The planet will also benefit cause microalgae do photosynthesis and capture CO2.
Another problem would be the access to vegan foods with B12 without supplementation.

Pluralgae is a pioneer in the investigation, application and communication of microalgae science to improve human and planetary health. Microalgae are considered by the WHO superfood because of the composition rich in nutrients such as: proteins, vitamins (eg B12), minerals, omega 3 and 6, antioxidants and phytochemicals.

This composition makes the microalgae have properties such as improving satiety, controlling blood sugar, in addition to studies on combating and preventing diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's. In addition, they make photosynthesis, fix carbon and can be grown on non-arable land. The main innovation is in the process by which the microalgae are subjected, which increases the bioavailability of nutrients. Another differential is in controlled production, ensuring quality and non contamination, within the concept of circular economy. Our goal is to produce and disseminate the benefits of food supplementation with microalgae with a negative carbon production model.

The target markets:

- Wellness market

  -- Health-conscious people

  -- People environmentally aware

  -- Vegans + Vegetarians

- Fitness market

Brazil's health food and wellness market has been growing (98% between 2009-2014) and the size of market is US$ 35 billion a year, being the fourth largest market in the world. For 28% of Brazilians, consuming nutritionally rich foods is very important. The healthy food market has an average growth of 12.3% per year. 14% of the population declares itself to be vegetarian. Also 22% of the population already chooses to buy natural and preservative-free foods. 

At the food supplement market, we see that 54% of Brazilians already consume some type of supplement, according to Abiad. The study also shows that 71% of this consumption is made by women. Based on this and a Pluralgae’s survey, our persona is a woman, between 30-45 years old, concerned with health and environment.

In our sales strategy, it is planned to divulge a lot of information both about the benefits of consumption itself, as well as the benefits of healthy habits. Producing knowledge and giving access to information on food and nutritional security, as well as encouraging healthy eating practices and lifestyles.

CEO - Mariana Monteiro Fortes - full-time

CFO - Ariel Kozlowski - part-time

Mariana Fortes is a founding partner and CEO of Pluralgae. She is a chemical engineer and PhD in chemical and biochemical process technology from UFRJ. She has always worked with clean technologies and biotechnology at the Greentec laboratory. Her thesis was the development of a microalgae cultivation system and developed routes for the production of biodiesel from microalgae. In 2015, she participated of Empretec, a UN course offered by Sebrae for potential entrepreneurs. In 2017 Pluralgae was born combining the knowledge about microalgae with the dream of making a difference in the world, working with clean technology that captures carbon. Thus, started Prointer Bio, a program for accelerating and internationalizing biotechnology companies at Sebrae.

Ariel Kozlowski is CFO of Pluralgae. He is graduated in economics and entrepreneurship from UFF, an environmentalist focused on climate and oceanic issues. Professional business consultant, specialized in strategic planning, innovation and sustainability management. Executive producer and screenwriter of the documentary 'Baia Urbana', supported by UNDP and released at the first United Nations Ocean Conference in June 2017 in NY. He is involved in other projects related to the environment, such as the Circular Hub, an impact business for sustainable development poles in Vale Encantado, consultancy on environmental management and development of social and environmental businesses. He is also a consultant for the Instituto Ambiente em Movimento, an NGO of environmental education and ecological sanitation and a member of the Adviser of the Natural Monument of the Cagarras Islands, in the NGO segment representing Viva Rio.

We will produce microalgae for human supplementation, a superfood of national production, controlled and with carbon fixation. Because it is superfood, it has many nutritional advantages, bringing health benefits such as: anti-inflammatory action, increased immunity, reduced anemia and pressure, blood sugar control, prevention of various diseases, in addition to promoting Wellness. Furthermore it is vegan protein source (60% is protein) with vitamin B12, which is not found in vegetable proteins, only in animal protein.

In addition, we are an ecofriendly company, our differential is in controlled and certified industrial production, ensuring product quality and non-contamination, within the concept of circular economy. Our goal is to have the most integrated and sustainable production possible to minimize the carbon footprint and virtual water associated with the product. There are articles that have shown that some microalgae are contaminated with heavy metals. Our process would avoid that.
We will have 2 types of products: powdered microalgae and tablet. Our sales plan is aimed at having at least 65% of B2C sales, then 15% of B2B sales with stores of natural or healthy products and 20% of B2B with companies that use microalgae as input (example: Vegan snacks enriched with microalgae).