Algaeventure Systems (AVS) was founded in 2008 with a mission to take the cost barriers out of growing and processing algae, and in the process discovered a technology that will revolutionize dewatering and other solid-liquid separations. The key innovation, nicknamed HDD for harvesting, dewatering and drying, radically reduces the energy required to separate valuable solids from dilute solutions. Beyond replacing incumbent separation methods, AVS technologies are poised to unlock the potential of algae for a range of valuable products, such as pharmaceuticals, nutriceuticals and fuels, as well as enable new opportunities, including novel remediation techniques and a wide range of biomimetic industrial processes.
The AVS story begun in 2004 when Univenture (AVS’s founding company) started exploring the concept of producing products made from bioplastics. After intensive research into terrestrial plants including corn, soy and palm, it was revealed that only algae held the potential to sustainably produce bioplastics with the same, or better, performance characteristics than petroleum based plastics. However, in order for algae to be a viable resource, processing technology needed to be substantially improved. At this point, AVS was then formed as a separate entity inside Univenture to develop technologies to improve algae processing and commercialize the resulting discoveries and products.
AVS CEO, Ross O. Youngs, formed Univenture Inc. in 1988 with a vision to invent and manufacture a line of environmentally responsible media packaging products that are functional and cost effective. His products revolutionized the industry by increasing packaging functionality and performance while substantially reducing waste and cost. By utilizing multiple members of the management team from Univenture, AVS will be able to leverage a more than two decades long track record of inventing, manufacturing and successfully commercializing new products and technologies.
