Aequor

About:

Aequor developed 70 anti-biofilm and anti-fouling molecules, engaging in research and development of chemicals from marine microbes.

Website: http://www.aequorinc.com

Twitter/X: aequor_inc

Top Investors: US Department of Energy, SOSV, EASME - EU Executive Agency for SMEs, Seldor Capital

Description:

Aequor is selling its proprietary chemicals, cleaners and water treatments B2B, B2G, and pursuing licensing to market leaders in defined verticals and geographies. Our products uniquely remove and prevent biofilm – the root cause of microfouling (corrosion, scale, slime, contamination, infection) and macrofouling (attachment of barnacles, mussels and algae to surfaces in contact with water). Aequor's products are unique. Our Founder, a Marine and Medical Microbiologiest, discovered a new genus and several new species of marine microbes that produce novel small molecules that uniquely remove biofilm in minutes, prevent biofilm formation for days and potentiate ineffective antibiotics and disinfectants to kill resistant bacteria and fungi at doses too low to trigger resistance. Aequor synthesized 70 structural analogs of the most potent natural chemical and achieved EPA regulatory approval for 25 of them as non-toxic dispersants, water treatments, cleaners and fresheners. They are also classified as green, GRAS, and FDA approved for food contact and are available in commercial (ton) quantities. They all mimic the features and benefits of the natural chemicals to prevent the ability of bacteria and fungi to attach to surfaces and form biofilm. Aequor's Services include testing (microbial, biofilm, environmental), training, consulting and custom product development. We affiliate with companies with complementary services - e.g. PFAS destruction, algae bloom remediation, etc. to provide customers turnkey solutions to all of their problems. Aequor's MVP is a water treatment. Our first customer was NASA. Biofilm had clogged the water reuse/recycling system used on board the ISS. One dose of our MVP worked in minutes and lasted 15 months without replenishment. Aequor won the NASA iTech award in the Life Support category because as NASA Health put it, "nobody would arrive alive on Mars without Aequor." This same MVP has been shown to work in closed-loop systems, including cooling towers, HVAC, heat exchangers, etc., including for data room water recycling. Aequor's MVP was last launched to the ISS for further testing against some of the 130 biofilm-forming pathogens found inside the ISS cabin. Aequor has worked with the DOE since 2017 to improve processes for conversion of renewable feedstocks into biofuels. Our MVP boosts algae biomass by 40% in half the time and protects the crop against predators. Aequor is executing on a $1.6M grant (2024-26) to demonstrate the profitability of algae cultivated in the desert at industrial scale. Aequor's first request for quote is for 20 tons of our treatment every 6 months. Aequor's MVP also boosts the biomass of fermented crop/landfill waste by 30% for into conversion into bioethanol without the need for antibiotics. Aequor is also executing on a $1.25M contract with the DOD (2023-25) to remediate the groundwater at one of the 700 military bases being sued for PFAS contamination. Our MVP eliminates biofilm clogging of pipes and filters, eliminating up to 50% energy consumption, frequent replacement of carbon-intense filters, and the labor, downtime and costs associated with biocide use and disposal. As a Woman-Owned Small Business, Aequor is eligible for 5% government set-asides and DOD matching funds ($375K-$15M) for marketing its "dual use" products to the military and commercial buyers. Aequor completed a year-long pilot project with a major oil & gas company where we demonstrated the superior efficacy of our MVP to eliminate and prevent biofilm from oilfield-produced water. The company is negotiating distribution agreements for the commercialization of this product. Given the breadth of buyer groups for Aequor's single MVP, Aequor anticipates breakeven on a $2M investment in Year 1 and ROI x 20 in Year 4. We have locked in our supply chain and seek $2M to cover the costs of raw material, product blending and sales logistics to expand sales.