Leading the Charge
in Sustainable Seaweed Innovation
At GOA Ventures, we’re driven by a clear ambition: to become the premier scalable solution for sustainable seaweed valorisation.
Our commitment extends beyond profit – we aim to improve the social, environmental and economic potential of the growing seaweed community.
Our Vision
We believe seaweed plays a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future. By harnessing its potential, we strive to replace polluting industries, enhance the well-being of coastal communities and protect our earth and oceans.
Our Mission
Inspire
We believe that working with fresh seaweed is the path forward.
Our mission is to inspire change, encouraging others to recognize the untapped potential of this remarkable resource.
Transfer knowledge
Through collaboration and education, we empower local communities and partners in the seaweed field.
We share expertise, fostering a deeper understanding of seaweed’s benefits.
Bring the factory to the seaweed
We’re committed to establishing seaweed processing facilities right where seaweed thrives.
This strategy avoids unnecessary logistics and ensures the availability of high-quality seaweed biomass. Moreover, we facilitate prosperity within the local community.
Our Team
Theo Verleun
CEO
began his career as a brain cancer researcher and transitioned to commercial biotech, working at a.o. Gist-brocades, Brenntag and DSM and recently founding GOA Ventures.
Passionate about ecology and sustainability, he’s driving innovation in the seaweed industry.
Catherine Jadot
Head of North American operations
has extensive experience collaborating with governments and international organisations around the world, which she now uses to develop GOA’s business.
With a Ph.D. in Marine Biology and advanced training in Sustainability Leadership from Harvard, she is dedicated to enhancing the sustainability of the blue economy and biodiversity conservation.
Fleur de Haas
CTO
a cum laude graduate from Wageningen University with a master’s in Molecular Life Sciences, leads the biotech laboratory at GOA Ventures. Her work involves characterizing valuable seaweed components and optimizing our biorefinery technology.
Fleur’s commitment lies in advancing nature-based solutions for a sustainable future.
Anton Happel
Process Design manager
as scale-up expert at GOA Ventures, he draws from years of experience in manufacturing, R&D, and engineering. Having supported numerous biotech start-ups and orchestrated many pilot trials, Anton now applies his expertise to advance our seaweed technology.
His motivation lies in collaborating with a passionate team to drive positive impact.
Floor Kooy
Bioprocess scientist
a biochemical engineer with broad experience in enzyme technology, carbohydrate research and biorefinery optimization, she supports GOA Ventures in developing innovative, scalable solutions for seaweed valorisation. With a PhD in Biochemistry, she bridges lab-scale research and industrial application.
Her motivation lies in advancing sustainable technologies through collaboration, creativity and practical impact.
Daria Świgoń
Laboratory manager
an adaptable scientist with a master’s degree in Biotechnology from Wageningen University. With a strong foundation in microbiology and bioprocessing, she is currently working as lab manager at GOA Ventures. As part of the lab team, she screens new strategies for process optimization.
By working on GOA’s seaweed processing technology, Daria strives to contribute to both scientific innovation and a more sustainable future.
Athina Gamvrouli
Bioprocess technician
A food biotechnologist with an MSc from Wageningen University and a strong interest in novel, sustainable food proteins.
She develops process solutions to transform macroalgae into valuable resources, supporting future solutions for the food and energy sectors.
She is driven by creating sustainable ingredients that can shape a more resilient food system.
Frank Vos
Pilot plant manager
A food engineer with broad experience in food processing, quality control and assurance, Frank supports GOA Ventures by facilitating and leading the Yerseke plant. Together with his dedicated team, his main goals are the study of seasonal variation in seaweed and process upscaling.
Frank’s motivation?: Direct and concrete stewardship, as well as contributing to the protein and energy transitions through the endless possibilities of nature’s treasures.
Ricardo Cerqeuira
Pilot plant operator
holds an MSc in Microbial and Molecular Biology and brings strong hands‑on expertise in microbial ecology, biotechnology, wastewater treatment and anaerobic digestion.
At GOA Ventures, he works on process optimization and supports the development of our pilot facility.
His motivation lies in developing nature‑based innovations into scalable, sustainable applications.
Advisory board
Wim Hilbrands
chairman of the advisory board
with extensive experience in the biotech and nutrition industry, is currently CEO of Olatein — a joint venture between Avril and DSM-Firmenich commercializing canola protein isolate. Additionally, he is a member of Vivici’s Supervisory Board, a start-up focusing on fermentative dairy proteins.
His successful career at dsm-firmenich spans international roles in innovation, strategy and general management. At GOA Ventures, Wim provides invaluable guidance on business strategy and value creation in the food (novel protein) market.
Floris Luger
new business development support EN GOA@EASE steering team member
with a background in process engineering, he has spent most of his career in technical sales, business management and new business development in the industrial biotech industry. Exploiting his experience in renewable energy and biofuels Floris will support GOA Ventures in NBD activities, helping to shape its commercial strategy and future.
Floris’ motivation lies in driving innovation by successful delivery of new technologies to the market place.
About Us
GOA-Ventures BV is registered since December 2016 at the chamber of commerce in the Netherlands under #67351344.
GOA is a venture capital backed company. Our long term focused partner is Paris based VC Seventure Partners.
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GOA® is registered trademark of GOA-ventures BV in European Union