From microalgae to mega growth: Kuehnle AgroSystems closes Series B
In Hawaii, biotech startup Kuehnle AgroSystems has closed a multi-million-dollar Series B funding round. The company will use the funds to expand production of the antioxidant astaxanthin for human nutrition.
Natural astaxanthin is found in high concentrations in the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis. Kuehnle AgroSystems uses dark fermentation and patented algal strains to increase production efficiency and yields.
The round was led by IVC. Previous investors S2G Investments and Hatch Blue, as well as new investor Dest EOOD, also participated.
“This investment enables us to accelerate manufacturing scale-up, expand our commercial partnerships and bring a truly sustainable, reliable and cost-competitive source of natural astaxanthin to the global aquaculture and human nutrition industries,” Kuehnle AgroSystems CEO Claude Kaplan, told Green Queen. “We believe this technology will fundamentally reshape the natural astaxanthin market.”
The global astaxanthin market is valued at approximately $2 billion and is projected to grow at a 15% annual rate over the next decade, driven in part by demand for premium nutraceuticals. The company raised $3 million in a Series A2 round in 2024.
Category: Chemicals & Materials
