Seaweed biotech disrupting the billion-dollar supplement market
Open for Investment PhycoLife (Venus Shell Systems P/L)
PhycoLife (Venus Shell Systems P/L) | Equity Crowdfunding
Min reached. Now targeting $3m
$1,014,193
Raised354
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Unsustainable Sourcing: Seaweed Innovation Creating a New Market
The global demand for health supplements is booming, with the chondroitin sulfate ingredient alone valued at over $7.5 billion, and projected to grow. However, a troubling truth underpins the chondroitin industry: it is sourced from animal bones with 30% sourced from shark cartilage due to its high chondroitin concentration compared to bovine or synthetic alternatives. This practice sees millions of wild sharks like Blue Sharks and Hammer Heads harvested annually, devastating marine ecosystems and alarming ethically-conscious consumers worldwide.
This critical issue creates a significant market opening. PhycoLife is strategically positioned with a scientifically validated, sustainably farmed seaweed alternative, delivering the important molecular structure found in shark cartilage without ecological devastation.
As consumer demand for ethical, plant-based solutions intensifies, PhycoLife has a clear pathway to capture a substantial share of this expanding multi-billion dollar market, offering potent innovations that heal people and our planet.
We are turning an environmental crisis into a frontier for biotech investment.
Did you miss PhycoLife's Investor Q&A? Watch it here
High-Growth, High-Impact Investment Opportunity
By Investing in PhycoLife, you're investing in a revenue-generating seaweed biotech leader disrupting a $7.5B global shark-cartilage supplements market.
- Scaled, proven and de-risked model: our traction means we are in a position to lead Australia's rapidly expanding blue bio-economy, benefiting both human health and our oceans.
- Huge Market Disruption: Targeting the $7.5B global chondroitin market, replacing unsustainable shark cartilage (currently 30-40% source) with our unique, clinically proven seaweed alternative.
- Rapid Revenue Growth & Loyalty: $1.2M+ revenue (FY25), fuelled by 160% sales growth (revenue tripled in 6 months) and exceptional ~60% customer retention, demonstrating strong market demand.
- Pioneering De-risked Model: Australia’s first fully integrated seaweed biotech—from innovative indoor farming and bio-refining to proven medical and food-grade finished products.
- Proprietary & Clinically Validated: Proprietary seaweed ingredients (e.g., Phyaluronic™) backed by two human clinical trials showing significant gut health, cholesterol, and anti-inflammatory benefits.
- Scaling for Global Impact & NSW Leadership: Investment can potentially 10x production for global D2C/B2B reach, spearheading NSW’s visionary $2.3B seaweed economy.
Integrated Innovation, Creation, and Control
Building on our proven model highlighted previously, PhycoLife's core strength lies in our comprehensive mastery of the entire seaweed value chain. We are not simply product sellers; we are fundamental creators, meticulously managing every stage from proprietary indoor marine cultivation and advanced bio-refining to the formulation of market-leading health products that meet stringent food and medical standards.
This end-to-end Australian-based supply chain control is crucial for our innovation, ensuring premium quality, traceability, and the rapid development of novel solutions.
Our commitment extends deeply into pioneering research and development. PhycoLife functions as a deep-tech innovation engine, actively driving glycobiology and marine biotechnology advancements that could lead to opportunities beyond what the market can see.
This R&D focus generates significant intellectual property, which underpins our unique ingredients like Phyaluronic™ (SXRG84) and our next-generation SeaFibre supplements. This integrated system of sustainable cultivation, controlled processing, and frontier science allows us to consistently deliver our diverse range of clinically validated supplements, bioactive skincare, and award-winning functional foods to a discerning market.
Join the $2.3 billion NSW Seaweed Economy Vision
PhycoLife is strategically positioned within a rapidly expanding wellness landscape. Our initial targeted disruption is the ~$7.5 billion global shark cartilage supplement market (projected ~6.5% CAGR), offering a scientifically validated, ethical alternative to an ingredient that currently supplies 30-40% of the broader $7.5 billion chondroitin sulfate supplements market. This precise entry point is just the beginning.
The global demand for sustainable, plant-based, and clinically proven health solutions is accelerating, creating enormous uplift. This trend directly fuels our international scaling strategy, particularly for the B2B supply of our proprietary seaweed ingredients to global nutraceutical, food and medical brands. Furthermore, our ongoing R&D in marine glycobiology continually unlocks significant growth opportunities across functional foods, advanced skincare, and new therapeutic applications.
PhycoLife is not just meeting current demand; we are building an innovation platform to lead within Australia's $2.3 billion NSW seaweed economy vision and the multitrillion dollar global wellness industry. NSW is well poised for real estate and resources to support this growth.
$1.2m in Revenue FY25 + 60% Customer Retention
PhycoLife has achieved significant milestones, validating our business model and strong market demand. We proudly surpassed $1.2 million in revenue in FY25, driven by 160% annual sales growth and revenue tripling in the last six months alone. Our product efficacy and brand loyalty are confirmed by an exceptional ~60% customer retention rate and a customer base that more than doubled in the past year.
Operationally, we pioneered Australia’s first fully integrated seaweed value chain—from proprietary indoor cultivation and biorefining to creating novel ingredients like Phyaluronic™ that are clinically tested and that meet food grade standards. Our science is robust, with two pioneering human clinical trials published, leading to strong research partnerships across 4 universities and with numerous industry partners. This innovation and market leadership have garnered significant industry recognition, including multiple Australian Food Awards, "Most Innovative Protein Source" (International Food Expo London 2025), and prominent features in Forbes, BBC, and ABC.
These accomplishments showcase a de-risked, revenue-generating business primed for accelerated scaling.
Our Unique Advantage: Integrated Science, IP & Proof
PhycoLife’s competitive advantage is multi-layered and deeply entrenched, built on being Australia's pioneering, fully integrated seaweed biotech company.
Replicating our model is a formidable challenge due to the significant investment and specialised expertise required to master the entire value chain—from proprietary indoor cultivation and advanced bio-refining in Australia to creating medical-grade ingredients. This end-to-end sovereign control ensures unparalleled quality, traceability, and rapid innovation.
Crucially, we are an IP-generating, science-first company. Our deep expertise in marine glycobiology fuels a growing portfolio of proprietary ingredients like Phyaluronic™ and now Phychondrin™ . Our solutions are validated by two human clinical trials—a level of rigorous scientific backing rarely seen in this market.
This powerful fusion of a de-risked, scalable Australian supply chain, protected intellectual property, and proven product efficacy allows us to create truly unique, high-value offerings. Investors are backing a category leader with substantial barriers to entry, perfectly positioned to define the future where sustainable biotech meets scientifically proven health.
Investor rewards
We want our shareholders to be as big fans of our products as we are, and to reap the health rewards. We are proud off offer a range of rewards for investment in the crowd equity campaign as follows:
*discounts valid for 12 months and apply to fully priced products and online orders >$100
Our Team
Pia Winberg
Founder & CEO
Anthony Hargreaves
Director
John Kelly
Director
Sandrina Postorino
Director
Terms of the Offer
Issued Capital
*Note: The company has established a Staff, Directors and Founder Option Plan (ESOP). Please see detailed Cap Table in the Offer Document.
For more detailed information, please read the Capital Structure section of the offer document.
Use of Funds
For more information, please read the Use of Funds section of the offer document.
Company Risks
PhycoLife (Venus Shell Systems P/L) is revolutionising health with sustainable seaweed solutions. As with any growth business, an investment in the Company should be seen as high-risk and speculative. A description of the main risks that may impact their business are listed in the offer document. Investors should read this section carefully before deciding to apply for shares under the Offer. There are also other, more general, risks associated with the Company (for example, competition, reliance on key personnel, research and development, economic risk and market conditions, product liability, litigation risk, supply and demand, or the inability to sell their shares). See the Risk section in the Offer Document for further information.
The Offer is subject to a Maximum Subscription amount of $3,000,000. If the Maximum Subscription is reached, the Offer will close early. Applications will be treated on a time priority basis and may be subject to scale back, so please fund your application as soon as possible.
RISK WARNING: Crowd-sourced funding is risky. Issuers using this facility include new or rapidly growing ventures. Investment in these types of ventures is speculative and carries high risks. You may lose your entire investment, and you should be in a position to bear this risk without undue hardship. Even if the company is successful, the value of your investment and any return on the investment could be reduced if the company issues more shares. Your investment is unlikely to be liquid. This means you are unlikely to be able to sell your shares quickly or at all if you need the money or decide that this investment is not right for you.
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Section 734(6) disclosure: The issuer of the securities is Venus Shell Systems Pty Ltd ACN 605 271 529. The securities to be issued are fully-paid ordinary shares. The disclosure document for the offer can be obtained by clicking on the link above. The offers of the securities are made in, or accompanied by, a copy of the disclosure document. Investors should consider the disclosure document in deciding whether to acquire the securities. Anyone who wants to acquire the securities will need to complete the application form that will be in or will accompany the disclosure document (which can be done via the electronic application form which will become available by clicking the bid button above)
Company Releases
Shareholders Deed (Individuals) 26 Jun 2025Shareholders Deed (Companies) 26 Jun 2025Company Constitution 26 Jun 2025Offer Document 27 Jun 2025Research
Supplements Study 1: Improved Plasma Lipids, Anti-Inflammatory Activity, and Microbiome Shifts in Overweight Participants: Two Clinical Studies on Oral Supplementation with Algal Sulfated Polysaccharide 20 Jun 2025Supplements Study 2: Oral Supplementation with Algal Sulphated Polysaccharide in Subjects with Inflammatory Skin Conditions: A Randomised Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial and Baseline Dietary Differences 20 Jun 2025Discover investment opportunities here.
Question time
We'd love to answer your questions, we'll have one of the OnMarket team or the company representative of the offer get back to you asap. So ask away ...
What happens if the business is unsuccessful- will I be liable for more than just how much I invest?
Sonali S (OnMarket member) on 27/06/2025Hi there Sonali,
Pia W (PhycoLife (Venus Shell Systems P/L) representative) replied to Sonali S on 27/06/2025Thanks so much for your thoughtful questionits a really important one. Crowd-sourced funding (CSF) can be a bit unfamiliar if you havent invested this way before, so I really appreciate you reaching out.
CSF is a true form of equity investment, meaning you receive shares in the company. Like all investments, there are a range of outcomes: over time, you might benefit financially through dividends, a future sale of shares, or a company buyout. It might also be a longer-term neutral investment, orif the company doesnt succeedthere is a risk that the investment could be lost. Thats the nature of early-stage investing: theres risk, but also potential reward.
Importantly though, you can never lose more than what you invested. You are not liable for company debts or obligations beyond your investment amount. Once you buy shares, you are simply a shareholderlike the hundreds of others who are now part of our journeyand youll receive regular updates from us on how were tracking.
I hope this helps clarify things, and please dont hesitate to reach out again with any more questions.
Warmly,
Pia
Could you outline risks/benefit's to the environment with this expansion of your business? What happens to waste generated from production?
Margery S (OnMarket member) on 30/06/2025Hi Margary thank you so much for this thoughtful question. We LOVE your focus on the environment, because its exactly why we started Venus Shell Systems in the first place.
Pia W (PhycoLife (Venus Shell Systems P/L) representative) replied to Margery S on 30/06/2025Youll see that every step of our expansion is designed to clean up coastal water, not add to the problem. Heres a quick, letter-style overview:
You can read about the 9 planetary boundaries and how we work to reverse all impacts through our production system here: https://www.phycohealth.com/pages/about-us
But otherwise, and in a nutshell, globally, nutrient-rich wastewater from food production is choking estuaries and coastlines, driving algal blooms, fish kills and dead zones all over the world, Think South Australia right now, Great Barrier Reef, Baltic Sea, or the fact that the Gulf of Mexico is dead >1m below the surface. We intercept that wasted nutrient at the shoreline, before it ever reaches the ocean.
How It Works:
1) Land-based Pools, Not Open-Ocean Farms
We pump nutrient-laden seawater into on-shore cultivation pools, and even add additonal nutreint load from food processing plants like the wheat refinery from our pilot site in Bomaderry.
2) Nutrient Capture & Water Cleanup
Fast-growing seaweed absorbs excess nitrogen, phosphorus and CO, turning into amazing molecules that are exclusive to our species and the sea, and releasing just oxygen and clean seawater, no additional salt, no pollutants.
Key Environmental Benefits:
Nutrient Remediation: We scrub out excess fertiliser before it causes harm.
Carbon Efficiency: Seaweed converts CO2 into biomass, and buffers coastal acidification.
Zero-Waste Discharge: Everything that comes inwater, nutrients gets either locked in biomass or returned cleaner.
By-Product Management
Harvest Residues: Any off-spec seaweed becomes a soil amendment, animal feed or we can recycle it back into new seaweed.
Process Water: We reuse processing-water internally.
In short, our waste is nothing but crisp, oxygen-rich seawaterand the captured nutrients and carbon live on as value-added products. Were effectively running a coastal oxygen battery, turning pollution into sustainable ingredients without touching the wild ocean environment.
I hope this helps clarify our environmental footprint. Please keep the great questions coming!
Warmly,
Dr Pia Winberg
Founder & Marine Scientist
Just adding a further reply here Margery - you can see our seaweed technology featured on the production The Story of Earth - Episode 2 - Water, here on ABC iView: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/home-the-story-of-earth
Pia W (PhycoLife (Venus Shell Systems P/L) representative) replied to Margery S on 01/07/2025We are featured towards the end of the episode where it explains how seaweed and algae were responsible for creating a planet that is habitable for us today, and that how what we do is revisiting that power of seaweed and algae to solve some of the biggest challenges ahead.
Just curious as to how the value of the cost per share is calculated based on current company valuation?
Cindy Y (OnMarket member) on 30/06/2025Great question, Cindy, which may be on a lot of minds.
Pia W (PhycoLife (Venus Shell Systems P/L) representative) replied to Cindy Y on 30/06/2025Our Price per Share
The price of $6.25 equals our agreed $27.6 M pre-money valuation divided by the 4,410,561 fully diluted shares on issue immediately before this round. You can trace how that valuation has increased across our previous crowd-equity raises in the Offer Document.
What Drives That Valuation?
1. De-risked Revenue Demonstration
Our D2C FMCG channel has grown from $800 K to an expected $1.4 M in FY25providing a tangible, de-risked pathway to market and, model of profitability. Crucially, this model represents only a fraction of our broader opportunity: decades of seaweed-to-molecule R&D unlock multiple high-value channels and products beyond FMCG.
2. Proprietary Technology Pipeline
Since 2015, weve scaled from lab proof-of-concept to the worlds first seaweed-based biorefinery. High-value ingredientslike Phyaluronic(R) for skincare and Phychondrin(TM) for gut and metabolic healthare in market entry already, ready to address large, underserved markets of ingredients.
3. Market Comparables & Upside
We benchmark against listed and private companies in sustainable ingredientsblending a conservative multiple on our proven FMCG cash flows with upside multiples for our exclusive, deep-tech IP and remediation technologies of the future.
Why Not a Simple Revenue Multiple?
A straight multiple on FMCG revenue alone would understate the value of our exclusive, high-growth biotech pipeline. Our blended approach fairly reflects both the de-risked, revenue-generating channel today and the scale of market potential built on decades of technology development.
I hope this gives you a clear view of how the $6.25/share price was set. Let me know if youd like more detail on any of the underlying assumptions!
Pia
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