PFAS, or ‘forever chemicals’, are commonly used to make textiles and other materials resistant to water and fire. However, because they persist in the environment and build up in living organisms, they pose growing risks to human health and ecosystems.
To help address this challenge, Venice-based start-up Algae Scope transforms residual seaweed biomass into a bio-based additive with natural fire- and water-repellent properties, offering manufacturers an alternative to PFAS.
With support from BlueInvest, Algae Scope sharpened its investor pitch and expanded its network as it prepares to scale up production.
A problem close to home
For founder Natasha Yamamura, PFAS pollution is not just an abstract environmental issue; it is part of a local reality. The Veneto region, where Algae Scope operates, was the site of one of Europe’s largest PFAS contamination disasters, with concentrations in some areas reported to be more than 1,000 times above international safety limits.
PFAS accumulate in the body over time and have been linked with a range of health concerns, including thyroid dysfunction and possible effects on fertility.
From crisis to opportunity
It was against this backdrop that Algae Scope was born. After moving from Japan to Venice, Natasha Yamamura saw the impact of PFAS pollution first-hand. Drawing on years of experience in the petrochemical industry, she developed a way to transform regenerative seaweed into an industrial alternative to the toxic chemicals contaminating the region’s waters.
As regulators, manufacturers and consumers pay increasingly attention to the effects of PFAS on human health and the environment, demand for safer alternatives is growing. According to Yamamura, PFAS is used in around 50% of clothing and home textiles, often in quantities too small to require labelling. To help address this challenge, Algae Scope supplies a seaweed-based powder to textile finishing companies, which use it in coatings for a wide range of fabrics.
“We feel the urgency of bringing the solution as soon as possible,” says Yamamura, pointing to France’s and Denmark’s bans on PFAS in textiles and to tightening EU-wide restrictions.
Growing with BlueInvest
In 2025, Algae Scope received tailored coaching through the BlueInvest programme to strengthen its investor readiness and prepare for future growth.
“Our coach Helena Vieira was an excellent mentor, I think the best we’ve ever had as a start-up,” says Yamamura. Drawing on her experience in bringing products to market, Helena helped Algae Scope test customer assumptions and refine its pitch deck, positioning and website ahead of fundraising.
BlueInvest also opened doors. A pitching opportunity at EU Green Week 2026, saw Algae Scope win the Nature-Positive Production Systems category, leading to new industry connections and media coverage that helped raise the company’s profile across the sector.
Scaling up
Looking ahead, Algae Scope’s next milestone is moving from small-batch production to industrial scale. The company has raised around €330,000 in grants and a SAFE agreement and is now seeking a lead investor for €400,000 to close a €1.2 million funding round. This funding will support new equipment and staff to scale production.
Backed by growing customer and investor interest, Algae Scope is looking to scale its bio-based PFAS alternative for industrial deployment.
About BlueInvest
BlueInvest is the EU’s innovation and investment platform for the blue economy, offering business coaching, fundraising support, and networking opportunities for ocean technology companies.
Interested individuals can register with the BlueInvest Community to explore programme features and opportunities or contact lu-blueinvest
pwc [dot] lu (lu-blueinvest[at]pwc[dot]lu).
More information
Website: Algae Scope
Social media: Algae Scope on LinkedIn
