 |
The Ocean AgeAuthor: Fed DeGobbi
This podcast is for ocean entrepreneurs and innovators who want to grow and succeed in the blue economy. Through interviews with industry leaders, founders, and subject matter experts, I will share their stories, unpack their most important lessons, and extract actionable insights and best practices. Language: en Genres: Business, Earth Sciences, Entrepreneurship, Science Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
Listen Now...
#34: Jay Dignan – Cracking the Seaweed Code: How Fucoidan Unlocks a Profitable Business Model
Monday, 15 September, 2025
Send us a textAs the founder of BioMara, a marine biotech startup based in Scotland, Jay Dignan is dedicated to transforming regenerative seaweed into functional and healthy B2B ingredients for the food and wellness industries. His professional journey began in New Zealand and includes a diverse range of experiences, from deep-sea salvage and working with Tibetan yak wool to media mergers and acquisitions.Jay has over two decades of cross-disciplinary experience as a founder, CFO, and strategic consultant. His self-described "squiggly" career path was complemented by an MBA from a UK university. He is passionate about seaweed's potential to contribute to a sustainable future and help feed the world. Jay is focused on finding synergies among researchers, innovators, investors, and business leaders to help realise the promise of the seaweed industry for a healthier planet and healthier people.Timestamps:00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:44 - Jay's Background and “Squiggly” Career Path00:06:50 - The Importance of Diverse Experiences00:10:33 - The Role of an MBA in an Entrepreneur's Journey00:14:03 - The Tibetan Yak Herder Experience00:20:31 - The Challenges of the Western Seaweed Industry00:24:54 - Frustrations Faced as an Ocean Entrepreneur00:34:25 - The Founding of BioMara and Its Business Model00:41:02 - Developing and Validating the biorefinery System00:43:43 - Understanding BioMara's Core Products00:46:40 - The Potential of Fucoidan in Human Health00:54:19 - Lessons from the Ashwagandha and Manuka Honey Markets00:58:55 - The "Health by Stealth" Approach01:09:18 - The Process of Building a Founding Team01:12:54 - A Call to Action for Food and Nutraceutical CompaniesUseful Links & Resources:Jay Dignan on LinkedInBioMara’s website: Food & Wellness. Products: Seafibrex & Thalivra & RevyntraBioMara on LinkedinBiomara’s White Paper on Fucoidan Scientific paper by BioMara’s team with an overview of fucoidan, its applications and extraction technique.***Get in touch with The Ocean Age's host Fed DeGobbi on LinkedIn, X or by emailing directly at fed@oceanage.coThe Ocean Age Podcast is produced by Charlotte Raffo and edited by Nebojsa Lešević. Sarah Carpenter and Giulia Leanza are our research assistants. Eliana Caragia manages Distribution and Engagement. Please send in your feedback: what do you want to hear more or less of? Any suggestions? Would love to hear what you think!
