University Start-up Aqua Bioculture Wins Innovate UK Grant
Aqua Bioculture Ltd, a start-up from the University of Lincoln, has secured a £50,000 grant in the ‘New Innovators in agri-tech and food technology, Eastern England’ competition by Innovate UK. Founded in December 2023 by Raymund Konigk (Senior Lecturer in Design and Architecture) and Danny Muller-Konigk (BSc Health and Social Care graduate), the company is pioneering a Micro-Modular Recirculating Aquaculture System (MM-RAS) hatchery. This scalable, modular system aims to revolutionise fish breeding in Eastern England by promoting sustainable and diverse aquaculture solutions.
MM-RAS Hatchery Features
– Platform Technology: Sustainable local supply of fingerlings.
– Micro-Modular Design: Scalable and cost-effective.
– Innovative Adaptations: Advanced components and high animal welfare standards.
– High Animal Welfare: Aligns with UK’s ethical production benchmarks.
The MM-RAS hatchery’s flexibility supports various fish species and production scales, addressing the industry’s need for affordable hatchery solutions for smaller producers. This project supports the growth of the aquaculture sector in Eastern England, contributing to economic development and environmental stewardship.
The project’s focus on small-scale, local production addresses a key challenge in the aquaculture industry: the lack of affordable and accessible hatchery solutions for smaller producers. By supplying a cost-effective and adaptable system, this project aims to stimulate a resurgence of smaller-scale RAS projects, fostering a more diverse and localized aquaculture landscape. The hatchery will employ a modular design with interconnected tanks, filtration units, and environmental control systems. This design enables scalability through easy replication and customization for various fish species and production volumes. Advanced monitoring and control technologies will ensure optimal water quality, temperature, and other critical parameters to promote fish health and growth.
Aqua Bioculture is based in the University business incubator, Sparkhouse.
Story submitted by Raymund Konigk
rkonigk@lincoln.ac.uk