Biofertilizer designed to revolutionize sustainable farming.
ALGAVERSE, in partnership with the University of Manchester, is a sustainable startup pioneering algae-based biotechnology to address critical global challenges like carbon capture, nutrient recycling, and sustainable agriculture.
Our Mission, “Unlocking Carbon Removal: Paving the Way for Gigaton-Scale Solutions in the Fight Against Climate Change,” reflects our commitment to reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, cutting nutrient pollution, and promoting regenerative farming practices to foster a circular economy and a resilient, eco-friendly future.
Supports EU Soil Strategy For 2030 “protecting and restoring degraded soils”. At least 40% reduction in chemical fertilisers use by 2030
Feeding the Future: How Will We Nourish a Growing World?
Nayab Raza, PhD Scholar
Nayab Raza, a PhD Scholar at the University of Manchester, UK, is a distinguished academic and entrepreneur with a passion for sustainable agriculture and water management. As the Founder and CEO of ALGAVERSE, she has spearheaded the development of innovative products such as BHAAN, a native freshwater microalgae-based biofertilizer.
She founded Algaverse with four goals in mind:
- Provide farmers with a sustainable, chemical-free biofertilizer to enhance food security and fight climate change.
- Reduce financial strain on farmers by improving soil fertility for long-term agricultural success.
- Challenge the misconception that agriculture is a male-dominated field by empowering women to thrive in the industry.
- My vision is to create a facility dedicated to making agriculture climate-resilient and promoting sustainable production practices.
FOUNDER'S STORY
The year 2024 has been a transformative journey for Algaverse, filled with exciting milestones and recognition in the world of sustainable innovation:
- R21 Programme: Algaverse received £500 for Customer Discovery, accelerating our journey to better understand the needs of our customers and refine our approach.
- Venture Further Award 2024: We were Finalists, securing 2nd Runner Up and a £5k prize! This recognition reflects the potential of our innovative solutions to revolutionize agriculture.
- ICURE Discovery Programme (UKRI Funded): Our team’s participation in this UKRI-funded programme provides valuable resources and mentorship to push the boundaries of our green tech solutions.
- Trans4Num Challenge (EU Funded): Algaverse is the only company from the UK selected to represent our nation in the Trans4Num Challenge, a prestigious EU-funded initiative. This challenge highlights our commitment to driving transformative change across Europe in sustainable farming practices.
- REAP Conference 2024: We participated in the REAP Conference, one of the UK’s key Agri-tech events. By putting farmers at the core of discussions, the event provided us with a platform to connect with industry leaders and innovators, contributing to the future of agriculture.
With each step, Algaverse is building a more sustainable, resilient future for agriculture, and 2024 marks just the beginning of an exciting journey ahead!
In 2023, we achieved major milestones for BHAAN. We were awarded the USAID Alumni Grant, which allowed us to build two 500-liter units for large-scale biofertilizer production. These units were successfully used in two districts of Sindh on wheat and rice crops.
Key achievements include:
- Prime Minister’s National Innovation Award 2023.
- Participating in a 5-day Bootcamp Training organized by HEC (Higher Education Commission) and the Prime Minister Youth Programme.
- Being part of the Stipendiary National Incubation Centre (NIC) in its 2nd cohort at NIC Jamshoro.
- Competing in the National Startup Championship (NSC) 2022.
- Joining the Leaders of the Future Bootcamp 4.0.
In 2022, we saw significant growth and recognition for our work with BHAAN. We won the Green Innovator Award and the Women in Energy Award, which included funding to further our mission. This enabled us to scale production to 100 liters, which we successfully applied in greenhouse nurseries for plant growth.
Our achievements continued with:
- Experimental Innovation Challenge by Women in Energy: Winning $1,000 between June and September 2022.
- Active participation in the Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of Youth 2022 in the Philippines.
- Completing the TFF Go: On-Demand Learning and Accelerator in the TFF Challenge 2022.
- A two-month Green Solutions Investment Readiness Program (2022) in collaboration with Accelerating Prosperity and the European Union, further refining our approach to sustainable agricultural solutions
In 2021, we initiated the development of BHAAN, scaling from 1 liter to 25 liters at the lab level. Using sustainable, recyclable materials, we focus on minimizing waste while producing eco-friendly products. Key milestones include:
- Global Semi-Finalist in the Climate Launchpad 2021
- Youth for Climate Challenge 2022: Won 1st prize in the Sindh region and secured 2nd place nationally, with sponsorship from Germany.
Boosting Growth Across Diverse Crops
Nutrient-Rich Alternatives
Sustainable algae-based fertilizers reduce dependency on chemical inputs, promoting healthier, more fertile soils.
Enhanced Soil Health
Boosts soil organic content, supporting nutrient-rich soil that improves crop yields and resilience over time.
Wastewater Conservation
Minimises nutrient runoff, helping to preserve water quality and protect aquatic ecosystems.
Biodiversity & Ecosystem Restoration
Encourages biodiversity and regenerates ecosystems, aligning with the principles of regenerative agriculture.
Carbon Sequestration
Captures carbon within soils, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to climate change mitigation.
Circular Economy Support
Closes the nutrient loop, enhancing food security and providing farmers with cost-effective, sustainable solutions.
Our Team
and nature.
A brief snapshot of awards and recognitions
