Public relations and marketing firm Third Hemisphere has launched a new venture investment arm and made its first investment in Western Australia’s Fremantle Seaweed, signalling a significant move in the commercial scaling of climate technology solutions.
The announcement comes during a surge of national attention on Australia’s growing seaweed sector, following recent Australian Financial Review coverage examining its potential to reshape agricultural emissions. Third Hemisphere contributed directly to that broader conversation through its work placing the AFR story and elevating the visibility of seaweed innovation across the national agenda.
Fremantle Seaweed has raised 2.3 million dollars in seed funding to transition from pilot operations to full commercial production. Backed by the Western Australian Government’s Investment Attraction Fund, the company has engineered an integrated ocean-technology platform that spans hatchery, longline cultivation and harvesting. It now plans to develop a 3,000 hectare North West Hub capable of supplying more than 20 percent of Australia’s dairy and feedlot demand for methane-reducing Asparagopsis.
Third Hemisphere is one of the largest investors in the round. Managing Director Jeremy Liddle, who has spent 25 years building companies, investment vehicles and global entrepreneurial initiatives, said Fremantle Seaweed impressed the firm with its combination of science, engineering and commercial readiness.
“Fremantle Seaweed stood out because they are not just farming seaweed. They are developing the hardware, systems, processes and operational IP needed to scale a completely new industry from the water up. Their technology gives them a genuine competitive edge. That is what makes them such an exciting and scalable aquaculture and technology business,” Liddle said.
Liddle wrote in an accompanying editorial that launching the investment arm was a natural evolution after decades of helping founders grow high impact companies. The new model allows him and co-founder Hannah Moreno to deepen their support for companies that align with their long-term mission.
“Founders do not just need communications support but also strategic partners who understand capital, regulation, policy, storytelling and commercial execution in one integrated approach,” Liddle wrote.
A scalable methane solution for agriculture
Asparagopsis has been scientifically proven by CSIRO to reduce methane emissions from cattle by up to 80 percent. With agriculture accounting for roughly half of Australia’s methane emissions, large-scale access to the seaweed represents a transformative opportunity for farmers seeking practical and commercially viable ways to decarbonise.
Fremantle Seaweed’s North West Hub could abate close to one million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent annually once operational. Co-founder and Managing Director Chris De Cuyper said the company is seeing strong interest from producers across the country.
“The support behind Fremantle Seaweed has been incredible. Our analysis shows that scaling to the North West Hub could abate close to one million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions each year, roughly the same as offsetting a small LNG facility. That is the kind of real world impact that investors, producers and policymakers are looking for,” De Cuyper said.
He added that farmers are looking for solutions that work in practical settings rather than in theoretical scenarios.
“What excites me most is the sense of shared purpose. Farmers want practical, natural tools that make sense on-farm, and our job is to deliver those. Technology that fits seamlessly into existing systems and creates value across the board,” he said.
To support widespread adoption, Fremantle Seaweed is preparing a 400 day Wagyu feedlot trial using more than 1,500 kilograms of dried Asparagopsis.
Blending investment with strategic capability
Third Hemisphere is known for shaping the growth of some of Australia’s most influential innovators across climate technology, fintech and deep technology. Founders often come to the firm for its expertise in sector positioning, commercial communication and stakeholder influence. The company has now extended that capability by integrating direct investment into its offering.
Through its full service communications and growth strategy, the firm provides strategic communications, government engagement, digital strategy, brand positioning and reputation advisory. Bringing investment into this system allows Third Hemisphere to partner earlier and more deeply with founders working on sustainability, technology and industry transformation.
Liddle wrote that aligning strategic support with investment ensures founders gain the momentum and clarity needed to scale effectively.
“When you find exceptional founders, you support them with everything you can,” he said.
The firm believes this model helps mission-driven companies achieve influence, adoption and commercial traction faster by combining capital with the operational and strategic capabilities required for growth.
Looking ahead
Fremantle Seaweed is the first of several companies Third Hemisphere plans to back as it builds a long-term investment portfolio across climate and industry transformation. The firm sees the Asparagopsis sector as a critical enabler for agricultural decarbonisation and believes its integrated investment approach will help accelerate adoption of high impact solutions.
Liddle wrote that the ambition is to partner with founders building measurable global solutions and support them across the full trajectory of growth.
With Australia now emerging as a global leader in seaweed cultivation and methane reduction technology, Third Hemisphere’s investment positions it at the forefront of a rapidly expanding climate innovation landscape.ticle...
