MiAlgae – a start up from the University of Edinburgh

MiAlgae is a biotechnology startup company that produces microalgae that is rich in Omega-3s – an essential mineral for human and animal health – by using by-products from the whisky distillation process.

90% of the world’s fish stocks are overexploited or fully depleted, meaning they are no longer a sustainable source of Omega-3. MiAlgae’s innovative process essentially cuts out the intermediary, leaving fish in the oceans and providing a high quality source material for pet and aquaculture feed.  

Managing Director Douglas Martin founded MiAlgae in 2016 while studying for an MSc in Synthetic Biology and Biotechnology at the University of Edinburgh. Douglas is a biotech entrepreneur with a strong background in commercial and financial management. 

At the heart of MiAlgae is an innovative circular economy model. The company’s innovative bioprocessing technology offers a cheaper and greener alternative service to Scottish distilleries for disposal of whisky coproducts, by upcycling to a value-added microalgal Omega-3 product targeted at the animal nutrition sector. During the process, clean water is returned to the watercourse, and the remaining waste is converted to green energy by anaerobic digestion. The full bioprocess runs off bioenergy. The company’s microalgal products are aimed to strongly contribute to the sustainability of the animal nutrition sector and are more financially accessible than existing products, facilitating the economic growth of the pet food and aquaculture industries in Scotland.

In 2024 MiAlgae was a finalist for the prestigious Earthshot Prize in the “Revive our Oceans” category. 

Douglas has been recognised as a Forbes Under 30 honouree and a Shell Young Entrepreneur awardee.