So you love algae? Nicholas Sokol loves it more.
Dr. Nick Sokol believes expanding awareness around algae's benefits is critical to decarbonization efforts.
Dr. Nicholas Sokol is one of the most well-known entrepreneurs in Knoxville’s start-up ecosystem. His company Algaeo was a participant in the Spark Cleantech Accelerator, Cultivate Appalachia AgLaunch Bootcamp, and the 100Knoxville program.
Algaeo has changed over the last three years. What started as a plant-growth elixir has transformed into a method to decrease the carbon footprint by implementing algae as a microbial fertilizer. The start-up’s biofertilizer revitalizes depleted soils, promoting soil health and water retention. It can lead to exponential growth of certain crops and offers the potential to earn revenue through soil carbon credits.
The production and application of fertilizers (manure and synthetic) is responsible for 2.6 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) each year, which is more than aviation and shipping combined. With the promise of chipping away at that problem, Sokol secured a spot in the Innovation Crossroads program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Sokol has been pursuing Algaeo for nearly three years and has gained quite a bit of traction during that time. Most recently, Sokol’s Algaeo was selected to pitch at the 2024 Innov865 Week Startup Day in Knoxville.
His wife, and the Chief Logistics Operator of Algaeo, Mayra Roman-Rivera presented on behalf of the company to the event venue full of entrepreneurs, community partners, and investors. Sokol said, at the time, he was at a conference selling the product.
“One of the best parts of the last three years is all of the connections I have made,” he said. Sokol also shared that he has been speaking to students more regularly, encouraging entrepreneurship, and bringing more awareness to algae.
Those opportunities opened his eyes to the deeply personal journey he has had as an entrepreneur.
“I was in a classroom a few weeks ago, and one of the students asked me if I’ve ever thought about quitting. And, the truth is yes – the idea of stability seems appealing at times. But, it’s my stubbornness, passion, and the accountability from the people who believe in me that keeps me motivated,” Sokol said.
He hopes to inspire others to take the leap and pursue their business ideas.
“Even though it’s hard, it’s so worth it,” he said.
Connect with Dr. Nicholas Sokol.
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