New Hampshire Startups Join BlueSwell Program to Tackle Ocean Health

Two innovative startups from New Hampshire have been selected to participate in an esteemed program aimed at fostering businesses that focus on ocean health. The program, known as BlueSwell, is a joint effort by SeaAhead, Inc. and the New England Aquarium, aimed at helping nascent companies establish a solid foundation. These New Hampshire startups will be part of the program’s fifth cohort.

HydroPhos Solutions, one of the startups chosen, was founded by students who graduated from the University of New Hampshire. The inspiration for HydroPhos emerged from an ecology class attended by one of the founders. Through their studies, they discovered that nutrients like phosphorus were causing detrimental algae blooms, adversely affecting aquatic ecosystems.

Daisy Burns, one of the co-founders, highlighted their discovery of a global phosphorus shortage. “We realized there’s a critical need for phosphorus, as it is essential for both human and plant life,” she stated. HydroPhos is now developing technology to extract phosphorus from wastewater, thereby preventing harmful nutrients from entering water bodies. They then plan to recycle the phosphorus by converting it into fertilizer.

Speaking about their initiative, Burns commented, “We’re effectively closing the loop by transferring phosphorus from places where it’s a contaminant to where it’s needed urgently, aiding in feeding our population.”

The other startup from New Hampshire, Coastal Measures, focuses on organizing environmental data. The accelerator program will provide these startups with the opportunity to connect with business leaders, mentors, and peers who are also starting ventures concentrated on aquatic and marine health. Moreover, participating startups receive a financial boost of $25,000.

Burns expressed her enthusiasm about learning from other startups, making new connections, and broadening the scope of her company from primarily lakes and rivers. HydroPhos intends to utilize the funding to conduct tests on their filtration technology and fertilizers as they prepare to pilot their innovative ideas.