Sandbar Oyster Company

Sandbar Oyster is a blue tech company run out of the UNC-Chapel Hill Marine Institute site.  Its goal is to restore the habitats of coastal oyster beds by using patent-pending technology to facilitate the regeneration process.

Located in Morehead City, North Carolina

What problem is the company looking to solve?

Sandbar Oyster is looking to restore oyster beds, which will then help to regenerate the ecosystems of shorelines.  They are doing this by building and placing a scaffolding system around oyster reefs to kickstart the habitat restoration process.

What stage of development is the company in?

The company is still a small startup that has been running a few different projects along the North Carolina Coast.

What are the company’s most concerning challenges? How will they address these challenges?

For Sandbar Oyster, their biggest challenge is getting enough revenue to run their projects.  They are looking to take on some bigger projects to bring in enough money to keep the company running and eventually allow them to hire a larger management team.

How does the company expect to scale in the next year? In 5 years?

The company is looking to head towards a more cost-effective business plan and continue to undertake larger, more revenue-generating projects.

Describe the company’s approach to the Triple Bottom Line. 

Sandbar Oyster’s patent-pending technology, Oyster Catcher, helps to regenerate the habitats of shorelines, which are vital for the oyster populations, reef health, and water quality.  This in turn will reduce the impact of oyster farming and lead to better, more reliable sources of seafood.  The revenue made by the company is invested back into the company, which will boost its economic development and create more jobs along the North Carolina coast.

Who currently makes up the company’s team?  What gaps, if any, need to be filled?

Sandbar Oyster was co-founded by Dr. Niels Lindquist and commercial fisherman David “Clammerhead” Cessna.  Together, they co-invented the biodegradable hardscape that they now use for their projects. In the future, they are looking to hire a management team to help with the company.