Algae Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Dive into how algae can drive sustainable products, business ideas, and innovation in the blue economy.
Duration
4 weeksWeekly study
4 hoursLanguages
English, Español, Italiano, Français, PortuguêsEnglish, Español, Italiano100% online
How it worksDigital upgrade
Free
Algae Innovation and Entrepreneurship
This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.
Turn algae innovation into sustainable business ideas for the future and thrive
Algae are no longer just a marine resource. From sustainable seafood and animal feed to bioplastics, textiles, and food innovation, algae are becoming part of a fast-growing blue economy.
On this online course, you’ll examine how algae-based products are developed, tested, and brought to market.
With a focus on sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship, the course connects science, business models, consumer insight, and real-world commercialisation.
Across four weeks, you’ll move from understanding the algae sector to shaping product ideas, assessing markets, and engaging the people who can help bring new solutions to life.
Discover the potential of the algae sector
Start by exploring the role of algae in sustainable innovation, including micro-algae, macro-algae, algae farming, and the environmental limits that shape responsible production.
You’ll consider how algae connect to wider sustainability goals and where new opportunities are emerging across aquaculture, sustainable seafood, and the ocean economy.
Shape algae-based products for real markets
Next, attention turns to how algae move from cultivation to product development.
You’ll examine cultivation, wild seaweed harvesting, nutrient and water reuse, and processing approaches used to create algae-based products such as feed, food, bioplastics, and textiles.
Develop business models and engage stakeholders
Finally, you’ll look at how algae innovations reach people, partners, and markets.
You’ll explore business feasibility, funding, circularity in business models, scale-up, and go-to-market strategies, alongside ways to involve consumers and stakeholders during product development.
Syllabus
Week 1
Foundations of Sustainable Innovation in the Algae Sector
Welcome to the Course
Get introduced to the course, meet the team, and connect with other learners. Start building your network and set your learning goals.
Discover the Potential of Algae
Explore the potential of algae as a sustainable resource and test your initial knowledge of algae innovation and applications.
Sustainability Frameworks for Algae Value Chains
Learn key sustainability concepts and how they apply to algae value chains, including cultivation limits and environmental considerations.
Week 2
From Sustainable Algae Cultivation to Processing to Product Development
Algae Cultivation and Harvesting Strategies
Explore how algae are cultivated and harvested, and understand the key factors influencing production systems and sustainability.
Processing Algae into Products
Discover how algae are processed into products and explore different applications across industries such as food, agriculture, and materials.
Week 3
Innovation and Business Development in the Algae Sector
Digital tools for Algae Innovation
Learn how digital tools and data support algae innovation, helping improve production, decision-making, and market understanding.
Business Models and Market Access
Understand how to design business models, access funding, and develop strategies to bring algae-based products to market.
Commercialisation and Scale-Up
Explore how to commercialise and scale algae innovations, including market challenges, strategies, and real-world insights.
Week 4
Making Your Algae Innovation Relevant: Engagement and Communication
Consumer Engagement
Learn how to engage consumers and stakeholders in product development through feedback, co-creation, and real-world examples.
Communicating Algae Innovation
Develop communication skills to promote algae innovation, from identifying audiences to crafting messages and choosing the right channels.
Who is this accredited by?
The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Describe the potential of algae as a sustainable resource across different stages of the algae value chain.
- Apply practical tools and basic data to assess market opportunities, feasibility, and commercialisation pathways for algae-based products.
- Explain key elements of business development for the algae sector, including circular business models, funding options, and go-to-market strategies.
- Design basic communication and engagement strategies to promote algae-based products and support market adoption.
- Engage with professionals, peers, and sector networks to explore career pathways and entrepreneurial opportunities in the algae sector.
Who is the course for?
This course is for students, graduates, aspiring entrepreneurs, and professionals interested in algae, aquaculture, sustainable seafood, and marine entrepreneurship. It’s ideal for learners looking to develop algae-based products, business ideas, or career opportunities.
Who will you learn with?
I am a project manager in the Blue Economy, focusing on innovation and education. Currently, I am coordinating AlgaeProBANOS, a project developing sustainable algae-based products.
Who developed the course?
SUBMARINER Network for Blue Growth
The SUBMARINER Network is the cooperation platform for actors and initiatives across the Baltic Sea Region and beyond. Promoting innovative approaches for the sustainable use of marine resources.
AlgaeProBANOS
AlgaeProBANOS is an EU co-funded project bringing together 26 partners from research, industry, and innovation.
Ghent University
Ghent University is one of Europe’s leading research universities, internationally recognised for excellence in education, research, and innovation.
Through interdisciplinary collaboration and strong engagement with society, it contributes to addressing global challenges and advancing sustainable development.
Blue Gent
Ghent University is the home of BLUEGent, one of the world’s leading research partners in the field of Aquaculture and Blue Life Sciences. It offers top expertise and advanced equipment for analyses, scientific and business advice. BLUEGent groups over 400 top scientists to lead the way in:
- Blue tourism & health
- Coastal management
- Healthy oceans
- Marine resources & bioprospecting
- Multi-use of marine space
- Sustainable seafood.
What's included?
SUBMARINER Network for Blue Growth are offering everyone who joins this course a free digital upgrade, so that you can experience the full benefits of studying online for free. This means that you get:
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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