Sapphire Energy

Sapphire Energy was a company that developed products and processes based on photosynthetic microorganisms, using sunlight and CO2 as their feedstock. The company aimed to produce crude oil from algae, a process they branded as "Green Crude" production.

The company's technology platform utilized non-potable water, such as seawater, and non-arable land for cultivation. This process involved growing algae that capture carbon dioxide in open ponds. The harvested algae biomass was then converted into a renewable crude oil. This approach was designed to create a domestic source of energy, potentially reducing reliance on foreign oil and benefiting the environment.

Sapphire Energy served the energy and petrochemical markets. Its business model was centered on the production and sale of this algae-based crude oil to industrial customers. The company raised significant capital to fund its operations, securing approximately $390 million over 12 funding rounds from at least nine investors.

Keywords: algae, crude oil, renewable energy, biomass, green crude, biofuels, carbon capture, non-potable water, non-arable land, photosynthetic microorganisms