Irish start-up O’Conomy is focused on transforming microalgae cultivation into a scalable, carbon-negative technology.
Their technology can help microalgae cultivators by lowering costs, improving productivity and enhancing sustainability. It opens new markets as a carbon capture utilisation technology. At the far end, the biomass produced has the potential to become a carbon-negative source of aquaculture feed in a wider circular economy.
O’Conomy provides high-efficiency CO₂ delivery systems that boost biomass productivity, reduce operational costs, and enable carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) revenue streams. Its mission is to decarbonise industrial processes and valorise CO₂ waste streams by making microalgae production economically viable, stable, and climate-positive at a commercial scale.
O’Conomy is one of eight up-and-coming companies taking part in the BIM Innovation Studio, delivered in partnership with Hatch Blue. The intensive six-day programme provides participating companies with expert mentoring, investor readiness training, and access to Ireland’s growing aquatech ecosystem.
Co-founders Brian Russell and Jason Webb identified a critical gap in scaling microalgae production. While microalgae have immense potential for carbon capture and high-value products, existing systems waste CO₂ and exhibit limited productivity.
They set out to remove that bottleneck — making algae cultivation both economically viable and climate-positive at scale. It then sees industries and regions integrating carbon capture into their operations, turning to commercial microalgae through O’Conomy’s carbon capture utilisation technology.
Brian and Jason met through an Enterprise Ireland innovation programme called Fast-IP, which is delivered in partnership with UCD and Teagasc. They continue to work with a strong research team on the technology development at UCD.
Co-founder Brian Russell said: “We’re looking for strategic guidance, industry connections, and investor readiness support from the BIM Innovation Studio to strengthen our business model. It’s an opportunity to refine our solution, build partnerships, and position O’Conomy as a leader in carbon-negative microalgae production.”
Co-founder Jason Webb added: “Through the Innovation Studio, we hope to gain strategic mentorship, industry validation, and access to networks that can help us develop faster and smarter. Our goals include refining our go-to-market strategy, securing any pilot and investment opportunities, and building strong partnerships with industry leaders.”
Brian has 25 years of engineering and quality leadership experience across automotive and aerospace sectors. He has an extensive background in complex industrial systems, programme management, and quality assurance.
Jason brings 20 years of experience in agri-food and climate innovation strategy. He’s an innovation strategist with deep expertise in needs-led venture design, market validation, and industry engagement.
O’Conomy is based on work through the Fast-IP programme, which is based on the Stanford BioDesign methodology. This approach focuses on identifying unmet needs, rapidly testing solutions, and building innovation with clear pathways to impact.