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We applied for Melbourne Design Week with nothing more than an idea. No finished product. Just a strong concept around the potential of algae.

Instead of trying to present multiple ideas, we decided to focus on refining a single product through multiple iterations: a sheet made from seaweed. We secured a lab space at CoLabs and got to work. From February through March, we spent our time reading scientific papers, experimenting with formulations, and testing repeatedly.

By the end of March, we achieved a breakthrough.. a consistent, beautiful sheet that was a pleasure to handle. We affectionately called it the “fruit roll-up” before officially renaming it Yellow Chilli. This became the foundation for all future variations.

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Two months later, we had developed a range of sheets with very different properties: semi-rigid versions that could be moulded or stand upright, through to thicker, stronger sheets capable of being used as chair seats.

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During Melbourne Design Week, we exhibited at MPavilion for 10 days and welcomed over 700 visitors. Our opening night alone drew 110 people, who came to see the material and attend a panel discussion hosted by Compound’s co-founder, Vasundhara Gaur. The panel included Sarah D'Sylva (Hyloh), Samuel Wines (CoLabs), Ollie Cotsaftis (RMIT/NeoMatter), and Chris Gillies (SeaGen Aquaculture).

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Watch the panel discussion here: YouTube

Throughout the week, almost every visitor touched and experienced the biomaterial firsthand. We had meaningful conversations with textile designers, interior and product designers, and architects who immediately saw its potential as a plastic alternative.

On the final two days, we hosted a hands-on workshop with a live cooking demonstration. A total of 50 people attended, getting to see the material being made and trying it themselves.

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About the exhibition

\n\n

9/10/25 was a highlight for Compound as it marked our first public experience as part of Hyloh’s Material Library exhibition at Sanders Place.

[ c/labs ] shared early samples from our research — material fragments exploring macro algae. Displayed alongside other material innovators, these samples became part of a broader dialogue around making, ecology, and experimentation, showing materials as evolving relationships between process, environment, and design.

The day quickly shifted from presentation to participation. Seeing people touch, question, and interpret our work offered insight into how our materials live beyond the lab in conversation with hands, context, and curiosity.

This showing was a meaningful first step in bringing Compound’s material practice into public space and connecting with a community committed to nature-based innovation.

\n\n

Hyloh is a global collective working at the intersection of materials, design, and circular thinking. Their Material Library at Sanders Place makes materials legible, enables experimentation, and catalyzes a shift toward regenerative systems. It serves as both archive and instrument, showcasing emerging materials and inviting public engagement.

About Sanders Place

\n\n

Originally a modest brick factory, Sanders Place was transformed using salvaged and repurposed materials, aligning with principles of reuse, preservation, and reduced waste. As a hub for social and environmental impact, it embodies regeneration, exploration, and longevity, qualities Compound seeks in our materials and systems.

Compound’s first showing reaffirmed that materials are living stories shaped by process, science, people, and place. At Compound, we remain grounded in a simple aim: to make materials that connect care, innovation, and ecology.

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Our Journey with RMIT Activator’s [Re]Launch Program

\n\n

In September 2025, Compound had the privilege of participating in the second cohort of RMIT Activator’s [Re]Launch program, a month-long initiative designed to empower early-stage startups with circular economy solutions. This transformative experience helped us refine our vision, strengthen our impact statement, and chart a clear path forward for bringing our seaweed-based innovations to life.

Refining Our Vision

\n\n

The [Re]Launch program provided us with a structured framework to articulate Compound’s mission: harnessing the potential of micro and macro algae, particularly invasive species like Japanese kelp and resilient ones like sargassum, to create sustainable materials and food while addressing environmental challenges. Through workshops and mentorship from industry experts, we honed our presentation skills and clarified how Compound can contribute to a circular economy. The program’s focus on validating circular business models allowed us to align our operations with principles of resource efficiency and ecological restoration.

Shaping Our Impact

\n\n

One of the standout benefits of [Re]Launch was the opportunity to refine our impact statement. We developed a compelling narrative around our plan to establish land-based algae farming facilities strategically located near power generation and manufacturing industries. This approach enables us to sequester carbon, generate biomass, and produce sustainable materials and food. The program’s emphasis on circular tech solutions helped us frame our work as not only innovative but also regenerative, addressing both industrial and environmental needs.

Key Outcomes

\n\n

Our final presentation at the program’s Pitch Night showcased Compound’s vision of scaling algae farming to create a closed-loop system that minimizes waste and maximizes resource use. By leveraging the high tensile strength of sargassum and tackling the ecological imbalance caused by invasive Japanese kelp in Port Phillip Bay, we demonstrated how Compound can drive meaningful change. The feedback from mentors and peers was invaluable, helping us refine our pitch and solidify our strategy for testing, validation, and scaling.

A Milestone Achievement

\n\n

We were thrilled to be awarded the Best Circular Impact at [Re]Launch, a testament to the program’s role in strengthening our approach. The recognition validated our commitment to creating scalable, sustainable solutions that align with circular economy principles.

Looking Ahead

\n\n

The [Re]Launch program equipped us with the tools, networks, and confidence to take Compound to the next level. We’re now focused on testing and validating our land-based algae farming model, with plans to scale operations and collaborate with industries to drive carbon sequestration and sustainable production. The experience at RMIT Activator has been a pivotal step in our journey, and we’re excited to continue building a future where seaweed powers a regenerative economy.

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Background

\n\n

Compound originated from Vasundhara’s thesis, which explored innovative applications of seaweed, focusing on sargassum and Japanese kelp (Undaria pinnatifida). Sargassum, native to Australia but invasive overseas, was identified for its high tensile strength, making it suitable for bio-plastic alternatives and sustainable building materials. Japanese kelp, an invasive species in Victoria’s Port Phillip Bay, disrupts local biodiversity by outcompeting native golden kelp (Ecklonia radiata), leading to increased populations of sea urchins and sea stars.

Mission

\n\n

Vasundhara and Simon founded Compound to address environmental challenges while promoting sustainable innovation. Their goals include:

Utilizing washed-up seaweed, particularly sargassum, to develop eco-friendly products.
Reducing the prevalence of invasive Japanese kelp in Port Phillip Bay to restore marine biodiversity.
Creating scalable, sustainable solutions through research and development.

Vision

Compound is a long-term, ambitious initiative to combine marine conservation with the creation of innovative, seaweed-based materials. By leveraging the ecological and mechanical properties of seaweed, Vasundhara and Simon aim to drive positive environmental and industrial change.

About us

Vasundhara is interested in exploring product design within circular systems within alternative economies, grounded in human-centric and more-than-human approaches to system design. This perspective prioritises sustainability, inclusivity, and adaptability to support both people and the broader ecological context.

Simon is looking at how we can amalgamate nature and technology in innovative ways, to solve the climate issue, hunger and build a better future for the world and future generations. His sole focus is sustainability and building for what a future world can, and should look like.

What's next?!

We're currently testing the creation of items using different materials and how to maintain a healthy ecosystem on-land for seaweed.

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Melbourne Design Week

Materials Library

RMIT ReLaunch

Compound begins

Plastic is still moving in the wrong direction.