Chats for the Goals: Algenie - unlocking the potential of algae

In this talk, UTS Associate Professor Mathieu Pernice and Algenie CEO Nick Hazell will talk about Algenie and the breakthrough algae technology that Algenie is working on that has the potential to power a sustainable, carbon-positive economy.

Algenie was born out of a simple realisation: algae could save the planet, but only if it makes economic sense. In nature and current production systems, algae typically operates at a tiny fraction of its biological potential. But what if we could unlock 100% of that potential and create a sustainable raw material to replace fossil fuels and drive gigatonne-scale carbon reduction. By developing scalable, cost-effective technologies that transform CO2 into valuable products, we can harness consumer capitalism to drive sustainability and reverse climate change.

About the presenters

Associate Professor Mathieu Pernice is a world-leading expert in algae biotechnology and serves as the Deputy Director of the Climate Change Cluster at UTS. He co-leads research teams in Algal Biotechnology and Seagrass and has extensive experience across prominent organisations including LGEM, v2food and CSIRO.

Nick Hazell is a visionary entrepreneur, creating sustainable global innovation in the food industry. He has led technology and innovation as R&D Director for major food companies, Mars and Pepsico, in UK, Holland and Australia. He was awarded the Chairman’s award delivering the Pepsico Performance with Purpose vision, and has been leading research and innovation teams to deliver leading brands and products like Uncle Bens, Seeds of Change, Dolmio, Red Rock Deli and recently v2food. His passion for technology, innovation and sustainability has informed his teaching at UTS, his consulting practise and led to the founding of v2food, a leading plant based meat company. His latest startup is Algenie, with a mission to transform the algae biotech industry into a powerhouse for scaleable carbon sequestration. He has a two masters in manufacturing technology and engineering from Cambridge university, and in his spare time ocean swims, plays pickleball and sings first tenor with the Sydney Philharmonic.

This event is part of UTS Global Goals Month 2025, and is presented by UTS Sustainability and UTS BUILD. Explore more of the Global Goals Month program here.