The Seaweed Soirée: An intimate evening with the humans shaping the PNW seaweed economy

Seaweed is one of the oldest living things on Earth. It's been sequestering carbon, feeding ecosystems, and fueling ocean life for hundreds of millions of years. And yet, we've barely scratched the surface of what's possible... Join us as we pull back the curtain on seaweed innovations emerging right here in the Pacific Northwest — and what it'll take to grow a budding industry into a regenerative powerhouse.🌿🌊 So, What's Actually Happening? Two down-to-Earth hours of expert insights, live product demos, seaweed snacks, raffle prizes, and intentional networking with the humans growing the seaweed economy. The Agenda: 🌿 4:00 PM — Why Seaweed Matters Now (20 min) A brief primer on what makes seaweed extraordinary, why the moment is now, and what's already being built in our own backyard. 💡 4:20 PM — Innovation Showcase (40 min) Live demos and short presentations from PNW companies turning seaweed into something remarkable: Pacific Kelp Company — Liquid kelp biostimulant for agriculture Blue Dot Kitchen — Kelp processor and ingredient supplier Lummi Island Sea Greens/Bounty of the Salish Sea — One of the first Washington seaweed farms/retail store in Pike Place Market Ocean Made — Plantable seed-starting containers made with kelp SeaSoaked Skin — Kelp-based skincare And more! 🗣️ 5:00 PM — Moderated Panel Discussion (30 min) A candid conversation with our innovators and seaweed sector experts on the real challenges of building in an emerging industry — and what it will take to make the seaweed economy thrive. 💬 5:30 PM — Q&A (30 min) Ask your questions, make your connections, grab another snack. 🎉 6:00PM-7:00PM (1 hr) Open time for networking, snacking, and general merriment. What You'll Swim Away With: 🗺️ A map of the current PNW seaweed economy — who's building what, and where it's heading 🖐️ Hands-on experiences with real products made from seaweed (yes, including kelp beer 🍺) 🧠 Key insights on where the biggest investment and infrastructure gaps are, straight from the people in the trenches 🤝 Direct connections with innovators, investors, and fellow believers in the seaweed economy 🎟️ A raffle prize of curated seaweed goodies (because why not) Come One, Come All (But Especially...) Anyone who's ever wondered what kelp can actually do Climate tech investors and ocean/blue tech funders curious about emerging material opportunities Corporate partners in agriculture, packaging, and food exploring regenerative inputs Policy makers and ecosystem builders interested in PNW innovation Journalists and media covering climate tech, regenerative materials, or ocean innovation You'll Be in Good Company: Expect a room of 30–50 curious, mission-aligned people — investors, founders, scientists, journalists, and advocates — all showing up because they believe the ocean has more to offer than we've ever given it credit for. If you're curious about what the ocean has been trying to tell us — we'd love to have you! Event Partners: The Seattle Climate Innovation Hub is the first downtown space dedicated to investing in and designing technology to combat climate change. About 9Zero: We are a community of founders, investors, engineers, scientists, and innovators who together, drive climate action. Through our club, events, meetups, and connections, we spark collaboration and accelerate solutions. If you’re working toward a healthier, more resilient world, you belong here. Join us - 9Zero.com VertueLab accelerates, funds and supports Pacific Northwest climate tech entrepreneurs building or scaling innovative and equitable solutions to the climate crisis. The CoMotion Labs Climate Tech Incubator is a commercialization program for pre-seed to seed-stage startups ready to pilot or scale. The Seattle Office of Economic Development supports the key industries that form Seattle's vibrant, strong, and diverse economy. The Green Economy includes green and clean energy jobs, as well as businesses advancing resource conservation, sustainability,