Investment Review: Alga Biosciences

This post is part of my angel investing series where I review investments after they’re completed. These posts are not investment advice, solicitations, or offers of any kind. They are simply my thoughts on companies I’ve invested in and how they fit into my thesis.

For background on my approach to angel investing and my investment thesis, see my introduction to this series.

Company Overview

Alga Biosciences is developing novel approaches to greenhouse gas reduction using engineered algae strains. Their initial product is an engineered algae food additive for livestock that can reduce methane emissions by up to 90%. This approach is particularly compelling because it addresses one of agriculture’s largest environmental impacts while simultaneously improving feed efficiency.

Thesis Fit

Macro trends:

  • Climate change mitigation is becoming increasingly urgent and well-funded
  • Agriculture contributes ~14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions
  • Biological approaches to climate solutions are gaining traction
  • Growing regulatory pressure on agricultural emissions
  • Increasing consumer demand for sustainable food products
  • Rising feed costs driving need for efficiency improvements

Founder fit:

  • Founding team includes leading researchers in synthetic biology and algae engineering
  • Strong mix of academic expertise and industry experience
  • Previous successful exits in the biotech space
  • Deep understanding of both the science and commercial applications

Conclusion

This investment strongly aligns with my thesis around climate change solutions that have clear business models independent of carbon credits or offsets. Similar to my investments in Beyond Aero and Cambrium Bio, Alga’s approach targets premium markets first where margins can support new technology adoption. Their solution is particularly elegant because it pays for itself through improved feed efficiency, making the environmental benefits essentially free to the customer.

The combination of strong technology, clear market strategy, and multiple value streams (feed efficiency + emissions reduction + potential carbon credits) creates a compelling opportunity in the climate tech space.

Note: This review is written after the investment was made and is not intended to be forward-looking or to provide any form of investment advice. It represents my personal views and learning journey in angel investing.