Entrepreneurial Masterclass: Turning sunlight into seafood with Paul Smitzberger (Blue Planet Ecosystems)

Blue Planet Ecosystems:
Blue Planet Ecosystems is a deep tech start-up delivering vertically integrated, solar-powered aquaculture systems for sustainable fish production on any piece of land. Our product replicates aquatic ecosystems and transforms sunlight into seafood. We aim to decouple the production of animal protein from the ocean. Our grand vision is to establish large-scale sustainable aquaculture operations in places such as deserts, degraded land and urban environments. Operations that sustainably feed cities and countries. Our product allows local production of fish that is resilient against disruption, friendly to the environment and simple enough to be done by everyone. 

Biography:
Paul Schmitzberger is CEO and Co-Founder at Blue Planet Ecosystems. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Economics and Business in Vienna, a Master’s Degree in Economics from the University of Hong Kong and a Master’s degree in Engineering. With a focus on renewable energy systems, Paul is responsible for coordinating the technical, legal and business aspects while also working on the energy and grid design at Blue Planet Ecosystems. Paul started his career in banking, working in the Executive Office of Raiffeisen Central Bank. He continued his career as visiting researcher at Austrian Federal Forests, where he worked in the department of renewable energy with a focus on hydropower before joining the Federation of Austrian Industries - Department of Energy and Infrastructure (IV). He moved on to Telekom Austria, department of Executive Projects and Public Relations for an energy project but quickly changed position when he was sent to Brussels as company representative. Beside his functions at Telekom Austria, Paul worked as freelance start-up scout for German and Austrian companies with a geographical focus on Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Hong Kong and Shenzhen.