We spoke with Silvia Antón Sempere, Co-founder and Chief Operations Officer (COO) at Mediterranean Algae, a biotechnology company founded in Alicante in 2021 that promotes the regeneration of marine ecosystems through blue biotechnology.
1.Name, position and company
Silvia Antón Sempere, Co-founder and Chief Operations Officer (COO) at Mediterranean Algae.
2.Tell us about the company you work for. What is its story?
Mediterranean Algae is a biotechnology company founded in Alicante in 2021 that promotes the regeneration of marine ecosystems through blue biotechnology. Our purpose is to responsibly unlock the value of marine resources by transforming scientific knowledge into applications with a net positive impact on the cosmetics and nutricosmetics industries.
Since then, the company has consolidated two complementary areas of activity. We develop marine ingredients from circular-origin biomass for cosmetics and nutricosmetics, in line with the growing demand for efficacy, traceability and sustainability. At the same time, we develop technological solutions for environmental monitoring and bioremediation in coastal environments, strengthening the scientific and ecological foundations of our ingredients.
Through this approach, we combine the active regeneration of the marine environment with the development of biodegradable ingredients, promoting a Sea Positive model that reduces pressure on coastal ecosystems and contributes to the health of the Mediterranean through verifiable data. Our journey reflects a firm conviction: innovation, sustainability and value creation can not only coexist, but also reinforce one another.
3.What does your day-to-day role at the company involve?
My day-to-day work combines operational coordination, strategy and the development of new opportunities. As COO, I work to ensure that all areas of the company move forward in alignment, from project planning and execution to partner relations, internal organisation and business growth.
I also make sure that the scientific and commercial teams speak the same language, which is particularly important in a technology-based company like ours. My goal is to ensure that innovation is translated into viable, well-structured solutions with real market potential.
4.What sets you apart?
In the beauty sector, our differential value is based on three pillars:
- Validated efficacy: we develop ingredients with strong functional potential, supported by technical expertise and a scientific approach.
- Tangible sustainability: we are committed to the upcycling of marine resources and circular economy models, transforming underused biomass into high-value cosmetic active ingredients through responsible and traceable processes.
- Sea Positive: our daily work involves reducing pressure on marine ecosystems through biodegradable ingredients and actively regenerating water quality through biotechnology. We believe that the future of cosmetics lies in ingredients that work, make sense and contribute positively to the ecosystem.
5.What challenges do you think you will face in the coming years?
I would say that we have three main challenges, all closely linked to our evolution:
- Driving international expansion by taking our ingredients and value proposition into new markets where there is growing demand for innovative and sustainable active ingredients.
- Developing new sources of unique ingredients through upcycling, adding value to underused marine biomass and transforming it into distinctive cosmetic solutions.
- Continuing to strengthen scientific validation and industrial scalability, so that we can grow while maintaining quality, traceability and a high level of efficacy in every ingredient we develop.
6.What does being part of the Beauty Cluster bring to you as an organisation and to you as a professional?
Being part of the Beauty Cluster gives us direct access to a highly dynamic ecosystem that is very relevant to our cosmetics business line. It allows us to share perspectives with brands, manufacturers, laboratories and other strategic players in the sector.
As an organisation, it is a highly valuable platform for identifying trends, generating collaborations and continuing to bring innovative proposals to the market in areas such as marine ingredients, sustainability and new value-added solutions.
On a personal level, it offers me continuous learning and the opportunity to exchange experiences with professionals who are driving the evolution of the industry from a wide range of perspectives.
7.Coming back to you, how did you enter the beauty sector?
My background has always been closely linked to the sea and the study of marine ecosystems, so I understood from an early stage the enormous value that natural resources can offer when they are approached with knowledge and respect.
It was during the early stages of Mediterranean Algae, while researching the potential of Mediterranean macroalgae and their different applications, that we identified an opportunity to offer something distinctive to the beauty sector. Cosmetics is an industry where science, innovation and well-being converge, and where these ingredients can offer highly interesting solutions thanks to their functional properties and versatility.
For me, it was a natural evolution: transferring knowledge of the marine environment into distinctive ingredients with a scientific basis, Mediterranean origin and a more sustainable vision for the future of cosmetics.
8.Speaking of “beauty”, how would you define it?
For me, beauty is not a goal or a specific result, but an experience that is built and nurtured over time, from the texture of a product and the results you perceive to the consistency and integrity of its origin.
Beauty is that sense of well-being within yourself that appears when what you choose genuinely aligns with who you are. Those of us working in this sector have a responsibility to develop products that connect with people, deliver real efficacy and turn daily care into a positive and authentic beauty experience.
9.Is there any hobby, superpower or hidden passion you would like to share?
I really enjoy everything that connects me with nature: the sea, the mountains and sport. These moments help me recharge, maintain balance and gain new perspectives.
If I had to name a superpower, I would say it is the ability to face challenges with a positive attitude and keep moving forward, even when unexpected situations arise. In the end, some of the greatest opportunities often appear precisely in those moments.
10.What is the last book you read or film you watched?
The last book I read was Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. I really liked the way it explores, with very subtle irony, what it means to make your way in the world from an uncompromising female perspective. It is also one of those books that is easy to read and never feels heavy.
I am currently reading Crime and Punishment, a classic by Dostoevsky that I can already tell is going to make me think deeply because of the way it explores human complexity and decision-making.
11.Business is based on…
Truly understanding what the market needs and having the agility to respond with relevant solutions. Innovation and resilience are essential for sustainable growth, but a solid strategic vision and the ability to evolve constantly are what truly make the difference.
