Symbrosia

Symbrosia is an agricultural innovation company founded by Alexia Akbay in 2018, focused on reducing livestock methane emissions. Akbay, who holds a master's degree from the Yale School of Public Health and a bachelor's in chemistry and global public health from NYU, was named to Forbes 30 Under 30 for Social Impact in 2022 for her work. The company is headquartered in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii (NEHLA) Ocean Science and Technology Park. This location provides access to deep seawater and consistent sunshine, which are crucial for its operations.

The company's main product is SeaGraze®, a feed additive for livestock derived from the red seaweed Asparagopsis taxiformis. This specific seaweed contains bromoform, which disrupts the chemical reaction in a cow's digestive system that produces methane, a greenhouse gas about 30 times more potent than carbon dioxide. By adding a small amount of SeaGraze® to livestock feed, methane emissions can be reduced by over 80-90% in scientific trials. Beyond methane reduction, SeaGraze® also serves as a nutritional supplement, rich in minerals, protein, amino acids, and antioxidants.

Symbrosia operates on a business-to-business model, selling SeaGraze® directly to beef and dairy producers. The company emphasizes that farmers retain ownership of any carbon credits generated from the methane reduction, providing them with an additional potential revenue stream. Symbrosia has secured multi-year commercial agreements with cattle producers in the U.S. and EU. To meet growing demand, the company is developing a new 15-acre land-based seaweed farm, expected to be the world's largest of its kind upon completion in 2027. This facility will be powered by on-site solar arrays and battery storage and will not use fresh water.

The company has successfully raised capital to fund its expansion, including a $7 million Series A round in 2022 and an additional $5.8 million in a Series A-1 round in late 2025. Investors include Danone Manifesto Ventures, Pacific6, Hatch, Idemitsu, and One Small Planet. Symbrosia is also pursuing regulatory approval from the FDA, with a goal of receiving the green light to sell SeaGraze® in the US by mid-2026.

Keywords: seaweed feed additive, livestock methane reduction, Asparagopsis taxiformis, SeaGraze, Alexia Akbay, agricultural technology, aquaculture, sustainable agriculture, climate tech, carbon credits, ruminant nutrition, blue economy, Hawaii, livestock supplement, enteric fermentation, bromoform, sustainable farming, beef industry, dairy industry, greenhouse gas reduction