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NEWS
Press release
Announcing the addition of Dr. Harlan Miller as Co-founder and Chief Operations Officer of Nāmaka Algae
Dr. Miller brings algae cultivation and engineering experience to Nāmaka Algae.
Kailua-Kona, HI, August 1st, 2025 – Nāmaka Algae, Inc., is pleased to announce that Dr. Harlan Miller III has joined the company as co-founder and Chief Operations Officer. Dr. Miller bring decades of both technical and management experience in algae and CO2 capture industries. His responsibilities at Nāmaka Algae will include building and leading the R&D and operational teams, and these groups will first develop novel cultivation technologies and then transition to building and operating commercial facilities.
“I am absolutely thrilled to be included in the opportunity developing on the Big Island of Hawaii and to be a part of the Nāmaka journey”, said Dr. Miller. He continued, “I have every confidence that the technology produced here will have significant impacts in both the algae and aquaculture industries .”
Valerie Harmon, Namaka Algae Founder and CEO adds, “The addition of Dr. Miller to the Namaka team brings the leadership skills and engineering expertise to accelerate our technology development and propel us forward with product development. We could not be more thrilled to bring on a team member with his level of experience and technical skill. Together we are a first-class team and are ready to execute with excellence!”
Press release
Nāmaka Algae, Inc. Awarded Prestigious Grant from U.S. National Science Foundation
R&D funding to accelerate Nāmaka’s algae cultivation technology.
Kailua-Kona, HI, June 26, 2025 – Nāmaka Algae, Inc., has been awarded a U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant for $304,541 to conduct research and development (R&D) on patentable technology to improve light utilization in algae cultures. With the new technology Nāmaka will produce aquaculture feed ingredients cost effectively. Nāmaka’s first markets are in Hawai’i, where Nāmaka will contribute to local food production with ingredients for aquaculture and livestock feeds. The vision is to expand the manufacturing technology globally, locating facilities near key markets. Nāmaka’s NSF work will expand their patent portfolio through continued innovative engineering to decrease algal costs.
Valerie Harmon, CEO Nāmaka Algae, Inc.
All proposals submitted to the NSF SBIR/STTR program, also known as America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF, undergo a rigorous merit-based review process. Once a small business is awarded a Phase I grant, it becomes eligible to apply for Phase II funding and additional supplements totaling up to $2 million.
“NSF accelerates the translation of emerging technologies into transformative new products and services,” said Erwin Gianchandani, NSF Assistant Director for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships. “We take great pride in funding deep-technology startups and small businesses that will shape science and engineering results into meaningful solutions for today and tomorrow.”
“Nāmaka Algae is honored to receive NSF funding to support our technology development, and our product commercialization via the NSF I-Corp program,” said Valerie Harmon, Founder and CEO. “This funding marks a pivotal moment for Nāmaka Algae, validating our vision and scientific integrity while propelling us forward. With this funding and our support network we can now focus on executing with excellence.”
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