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Welcome to the podcast where we celebrate innovation for a happy planet. I am your host, Abigail Carroll.

What is going on with American farmed seaweed? That is the question we are asking this week.

We’ve heard a lot about it. For some time, everyone in the blue economy was touting its health benefits and umami flavour. Specialty seaweed food startups were getting on grocery store shelves nation-wide - and that is no small feat. It certainly is a good crop to farm as well. It's a winter crop that matures in a matter of month with no fresh water and light maintenance. (At least compared to oysters!) .

But then these seaweed food companies started to shutter. If you remember Courtney Boyd Rey was on the podcast -- she told us the sad story about AKUA’s struggles. And last fall we heard from a turnaround specialist trying revive Maine’s celebrated Atlantic Sea Farms. Most recently they succumbed, as did another known seaweed food startup.

So what happened and is there still a market for the seaweed we’re now cultivating along our coast?

Sam Garwin from GREENWAVE is here to say she’s still an optimist. She has a hunch about what went wrong and is bullish about where the market can get it right.

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I'd like to thank our sponsors:

Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Bold Ocean Ventures have partnered to create a mission-driven venture capital fund, supporting the growth of innovative, sustainable ocean-related businesses.

Startup Marin Skincare has rocketed thanks to products made with Maine-lobster-derived glycoprotein that work on eczema and dry skin. Former guest on our show and co-Founder Patrick Breeding is offering listeners a 20% discount on their skincare products. Type HAPPYPLANET into the coupon code field!

Spark No. 9, ensures that companies - and startups - have successful product launches by testing their products online. Remove the guesswork before you launch!

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