Located in the Manoa Innovation Center, Kuehnle AgroSystems conducts biotech research and development of plant-based systems for production of biologically active compounds. A bio-sciences company, Kuehnle Agrosystems personnel identify, develop and produce specialized microalgae tailored for biodiesel/biojet refining. Though not SBIR involved in some time, the firm recently (2022) was in receipt of a substantial investment ($4.3M). Along with microalgae optimization, the company provides seedstock for large scale grow out, which may allow customers to achieve cost savings, higher yield, performance consistency, and faster time-to-market. The company forms collaborations with complementary technology partners to create value chains to produce feedstocks for integrated bio-refinery conversion at a large scale. Such an effort enabled the company to demonstrate a completely linked algae-to-biofuel value chain in Hawaii transforming algae preferred seedstock to biomass for biofuel conversion. The companys sustainable competitive advantage centers on its proprietary know-how and IP, which enable unique natural and genetic cultivars to be scaled and preserved as quality-controlled seedstock.
