Our Philosophy
Industry has a critical role to play to bring investible, scalable and impactful business models and technologies to help restore our oceans. However, industry cannot do this alone, and relies on the interactions with civil society, regulations, and science. Restorae aims to operate at this nexus, and nurture restorative business models and technologies that can make a meaningful, scalable impact.
What we do
Restorae engages with entrepreneurs, scientists, corporates, regulators, environmentalists, and communities to co-create and amplify restorative business models and technologies.
We then develop, invest, support and co-create restorative business models and technologies that can restore our oceans at scale.
Who we are
Brian Tsuyoshi Takeda
Co-Founder and CEO
Brian Tsuyoshi Takeda is a Japanese-Canadian entrepreneur and environmental innovator, dedicated to marine ecosystem restoration. Before co-founding Restorae, he was the founder of Urchinomics, a pioneering restorative aquaculture venture that transforms ecologically destructive sea urchins into premium seafood, thereby facilitating the restoration of kelp forests and promoting carbon sequestration and marine biodiversity.
Under Takeda’s leadership, Urchinomics has achieved global recognition. In 2022, the company was one of only three commercial ventures globally endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Takeda was also honored with the Norges Vel Entrepreneur of the Year award, Norway’s oldest and royally appointed social non-profit organization, as well as “Ecopreneur of the Year” award from Salesforce, highlighting his commitment to ecological restoration through innovative business models. Takeda has also shared his insights on restorative aquaculture and marine conservation at international forums, including presenting at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos, and other United Nations events around the world. His work exemplifies the integration of ecological restoration with economic viability, setting a precedent for future initiatives in the blue economy.
Beyond Urchinomics, Takeda serves as Head of Reforestation at the Kelp Forest Foundation, a Netherlands-based nonprofit dedicated to advancing kelp research and restoration globally. He also served as founding partner and steering group member of NoMaRe (Norwegian Marine Restoration), a collaborative platform uniting NGOs, industry leaders, and government agencies to rehabilitate Norway’s degraded kelp forests. Additionally, Takeda collaborates with Tarevoktere, a grassroots diving initiative focused on removing overgrazing sea urchins to enable kelp forest recovery. In April 2025, Takeda was appointed as the Secretariat of International Affairs for the Japan Blue Economy Association (JBE), a research cooperative authorized by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. In this role, he collaborates with international policymakers, regulators, scientific institutes, industry leaders, and civil society to facilitate knowledge sharing around Japan’s successful blue natural capital credit market, known as J-Blue Credit®. This market, which recognizes wild and farmed kelp as part of blue carbon ecosystems, has established the world’s first blue natural capital market, with credits trading at prices significantly higher than other similar carbon initiatives.
Takeda’s multifaceted contributions underscore his commitment to merging ecological restoration with sustainable economic models, fostering a resilient and thriving marine environment. Takeda lives in Ulsteinvik, Møre og Romsdal County, Norway, with his wife Gunnhild, and his three children Sunniva Airi, Magnus Taiki, and Elise Koyuki.
Leif Rune Solås
Co-Founder and CTO
Leif Rune Solås is a Norwegian engineer and technology leader with extensive experience in the maritime and aquaculture industries. He has recently resigned from his position as Development Manager at Mowi ASA’s Eggesbønes facility, where he plays a key role in driving innovation in automation, robotics, digitalization and artificial intelligence within seafood processing. Contributing with deep insight on digitalization and automation, he has been part of Mowi’s corporate Processing Excellence team that is responsible for driving Mowi towards industry 4.0.
Prior to joining Mowi, Solås held senior engineering positions at Rolls-Royce Marine in Ulsteinvik, where he contributed to the design and development of advanced marine propulsion and automation systems. His work emphasized technological integration to enhance vessel performance, sustainability, and operational intelligence.
Solås holds a degree in engineering cybernetics from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, providing him with a robust foundation in control systems and intelligent automation. His professional interests center around maritime engineering, robotics, artificial intelligence, and the intersection of automation and sustainable industrial development.
In addition to his engineering career, Solås is deeply invested in community engagement and digital education. He is the co-founder and chair of Kodeklubben Ulsteinvik, a local makerspace dedicated to teaching children and young adults the basics of programming and computational thinking. Through this initiative, he works to cultivate the next generation of tech talent in his region. He is passionate about climate change and conserving our oceans, having been born and raised by the ocean and into a family with close roots to the maritime industry.
Solås lives in Ulsteinvik, Møre og Romsdal, Norway, with his wife Dr. Birgitte Øvrelid, and three daughters Lina, Synne, and Ane.
Ole Kristian Vada
Research and Development Engineer
Ole Kristian Vada is a Norwegian engineer with a strong background in industrial automation, robotics, and multidisciplinary project execution across the maritime, offshore, and aquaculture sectors. Most recently, he served as a Field Service Engineer at Ulmatec Handling Systems, responsible for commissioning, testing, and maintenance of advanced systems—including offshore gangway solutions and launch-and-recovery systems for industrial ROVs. He also led sea trials to validate performance, safety, and integration before final delivery.
Earlier in his career, at Mowi ASA, Vada supported the rollout of advanced production systems in seafood processing. He deployed safety systems and new industrial technologies—installing, programming, and integrating solutions that improved productivity, monitoring, and control. He coordinated across teams and vendors and helped expand the factory’s central SCADA system, enabling real-time visibility and control of production and auxiliary systems across the facility, improving uptime and responsiveness.
Prior to that, at Kleven Verft, he developed custom performance-logging tools to optimize robotic welding and led robot programming, maintenance, and operator training—improving quality, uptime, and process control in automated fabrication lines.
Vada holds a bachelor’s degree in automation engineering from the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (formerly Høgskulen i Bergen), a craft certificate in automation, and additional qualifications in project management. He lives in Hareid, Møre og Romsdal, Norway, with his fiancée, Aleksandra Aasmo. He combines hands-on engineering with a forward-leaning mindset—bridging traditional industrial expertise with modern innovation to help shape a more sustainable maritime future.
Johan Riis
Research and Development Engineer
Johan Riis is a Research and Development Engineer at Restorae, originally from Oslo. With a background in carpentry and a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at NTNU in Ålesund, he combines practical craftsmanship with advanced engineering expertise. His work bridges design precision and innovative problem-solving.
During his studies, Johan was an active member of SubHorizon, a student organization focused on developing Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). This experience nurtured his passion for technical innovation, teamwork, and applied research.
At Restorae, Johan specializes in 3D design and simulation, with skills in CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) and FEA (Finite Element Analysis). His hands-on approach and analytical yet creative mindset allow him to develop efficient, reliable, and performance-oriented engineering solutions.
Lina Bee
Boardmember
Lina Bee is a Swiss entrepreneur and impact strategist dedicated to driving social and environmental transformation through innovative finance and purpose-driven business models. She is the founder and CEO of Bee More GmbH, a Zurich-based advisory firm that supports family offices and philanthropic foundations in deploying capital through venture philanthropy and entrepreneurial approaches to create measurable positive change worldwide.
Before becoming an entrepreneur herself, Lina Bee spent more than a decade in the field of impact investing, advising and co-developing socially relevant ventures across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Her work bridges the worlds of business and philanthropy, helping mission-driven investors design funding strategies that empower purpose driven entrepreneurs and build long-term, sustainable impact.
In addition to her advisory work, Lina Bee is the founder and CEO of a social enterprise focused on education and female entrepreneurship, supporting women to build financially sustainable and purpose-aligned businesses. She studied Business and Economics in Zurich and Madrid and holds an MBA from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).
Lina Bee brings to Restorae a global perspective on impact strategy, organizational growth, and philanthropic partnerships, contributing to the company’s mission of restoring marine ecosystems through regenerative business innovation. She lives in Zurich, Switzerland, with her husband and two daughters.
Katrine Vestbøstad
Boardmember
Katrine Vestbøstad is a Norwegian professional with extensive experience in sustainability, renewable energy, ocean-based industry, and international development.
Vestbøstad holds a Master’s degree in Engineering from Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, and has completed additional education at BI Norwegian Business School and NHH Norwegian School of Economics, strengthening her expertise in leadership, strategy, and business economics and administration.
Her career spans both the public and private sectors, including roles as Project Manager in a marine industry cluster focusing on resource efficiency and circular economy, Project Manager at Greenstat – an energy and hydrogen company, and Senior Advisor for Renewable Energy at Norad, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation. She also brings significant diplomatic experience, having served as Counsellor at the Norwegian Embassies in Tanzania and Ethiopia, where she promoted and fostered collaborations to improve energy access and mitigate climate change.
Currently, Vestbøstad leads the department responsible for operating and maintaining the power plants owned by Tussa, a local power company in Møre og Romsdal. Having recently transitioned from a professional career in the ocean industry, she continues to advocate for the sustainable management of marine ecosystems, driven by a deep commitment to environmental stewardship and long-term resource protection.
Vestbøstad is deeply engaged in her community and passionate about promoting both equality and equity. She currently serves as Chair of the Board for Ytre Søre Sunnmøre Symjeklubb, the local swimming club.
She lives in Ulsteinvik, Møre og Romsdal, Norway, with her husband Vegard Alme Ulstein and their two children, Oda and Peder.
Dr. Annelise Chapman
Scientific Advisor – Ecology and Environment
Annelise Chapman is a coastal marine ecologist with many years of research experience from both Europe and North America. Since 2008, she has been based in Norway and has applied her scientific work on the interface of research-, management- and industry- sectors, especially concerning marine vegetation systems such as kelp forests. In 2016, she became a pioneer of the emerging seaweed industry in Europe and founded the first seaweed farm in our region.
Her professional journey has taken her from Germany and the UK to Eastern Canada and the Arctic, investigating ecological species interactions in tidal mud flats, salt marshes and eelgrass meadows, as well as coastal kelp forests. The effects of non-native species, often a major threat to biodiversity, were among her scientific focus areas.
Coming to Norway, she perceived as unique the region’s characteristic collaboration of stakeholders from different sectors (industry, research, regulators, environmental groups) and considers the associated opportunities for unusual alliances a major advantage to achieve common goals. Hence, her research here has become gradually more applied, for instance in the context of coastal zone management.
Annelise holds a master’s degree from the University of Göttingen and a PhD from the University of Hamburg – both on Wadden Sea ecology. Among academic workplaces are Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada and Plymouth University, UK. In Norway she has worked both at Møreforsking (Ålesund) and Runde Environmental Centre where she is currently employed as a senior researcher and project manager and with a wide professional network and ongoing collaboration in Europe and beyond.
Committed to developing regenerative practices and nature-positive solutions for meeting global challenges threatening the health of our oceans, Annelise continues to build on her research and entrepreneurial experiences also beyond the seaweed sector, applying her competences towards fostering marine biodiversity and ecosystem integrity. Simply said: as an ecologist she is interested in relationships – within nature, in communities and of people as part of nature.
Annelise lives in a long-term partnership and is based on Remøya, where she is never far from nature and her personal ‘ocean back yard’ – a source of deep gratitude and happiness.
Emiel Hoffer
GIS, Innovation and Impact Investing Advisor
Emiel Hoffer is a mission-driven strategist, connector, and advisor, dedicated to building bridges between people, sectors, and ecosystems. With over a decade of experience at the intersection of sustainability, innovation, impact finance, food system transition, he plays a vital role in helping initiatives grow from vision to tangible impact.
Originally from the Netherlands and now based on the southern coast of Norway, Emiel combines his passion for land based restoration and marine ecosystems restoration, with support of the transition of the food system. His deep fascination for kelp forests and the power of low trophic aquaculture led him to co-found Swedish Seaweed, a regenerative seaweed farming venture, that aspires to grow valuable resources, facilitate science, foster community engagement and educate next generations.
Emiel is known for his ability to connect dots—between science and policy, local communities and global frameworks, nature and finance. His career includes leading innovation projects and global teams at Rabobank, a global food & agri bank, where he worked on sustainable agriculture solutions, geospatial technology, and climate risk solutions across all continents. He brings this systems thinking into his current work, supporting coastal ventures, restoration startups, and research consortia in shaping sustainable strategies, funding approaches, and collaborative ecosystems.
He holds a Master’s degree in Corporate Social Responsibility from Radboud University (NL), studied an exchange semester at the University of California, Berkeley (US), and completed executive training at DRIFT (Erasmus University Rotterdam, NL).
Fluent in Dutch and English and proficient in German, Norwegian, and some Swedish, Emiel works comfortably across cultures, disciplines and all hierarchical levels. Whether aligning stakeholder interests or translating complex challenges into actionable roadmaps, he is often the bridge that connects ambition with execution, and vision with community-rooted impact.
Emiel currently lives in Arendal, Norway, together with his wife Inge, who works as a Marine Biologist and Ecologist at the leading Norwegian ocean research institute. They go out in Nature as often as possible, by mountainbike, on foot or by boat.
Kira Smiley
Advisor
Kira Smiley is the former Global Director of Sales and Marketing of TidalX AI, a spinout company from Google[x] (now X, the moonshot factory), working on developing high-impact ocean AI technologies that unlock sustainable long-term productivity while protecting and restoring marine ecosystems. There she led R&D efforts and both product and business expansion of technology services for sustainable aquaculture across multiple countries worldwide.
Before joining Tidal, Kira was on a team focused on creating technology for creating smarter food systems traceability at X as a program manager, and prior to that worked across NGOs and Research Institutes globally in the environmental space, including the Finnish Environment Institute, Mitsubishi Research Institute, and the National Audubon Society.
Kira is currently pursuing her MBA at Harvard Business School. She holds a Master of Science in Earth Systems from Stanford University, focused on Sustainable Global Food Security and the Environment, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Human Environmental Systems with a minor in Japanese.
Outside of her day-to-day role, Kira advises on aquaculture technology, is the Conference co-chair for the Harvard Business School Tech Club leadership team, and previously co-led the Sustainability working group within her Women of X Employee Resource Group for several years. She is the recipient of the 2019 DoSER Public Engagement Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and a 2018 Stanford Earth Systems Award for Outstanding Research. In her free time, Kira enjoys cycling, nordic skiing, and scuba diving.
Leif Rune Solås
Co-Founder and CTO
Leif Rune Solås is a Norwegian engineer and technology leader with extensive experience in the maritime and aquaculture industries. He has recently resigned from his position as Development Manager at Mowi ASA’s Eggesbønes facility, where he plays a key role in driving innovation in automation, robotics, digitalization and artificial intelligence within seafood processing. Contributing with deep insight on digitalization and automation, he has been part of Mowi’s corporate Processing Excellence team that is responsible for driving Mowi towards industry 4.0.
Prior to joining Mowi, Solås held senior engineering positions at Rolls-Royce Marine in Ulsteinvik, where he contributed to the design and development of advanced marine propulsion and automation systems. His work emphasized technological integration to enhance vessel performance, sustainability, and operational intelligence.
Solås holds a degree in engineering cybernetics from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, providing him with a robust foundation in control systems and intelligent automation. His professional interests center around maritime engineering, robotics, artificial intelligence, and the intersection of automation and sustainable industrial development.
In addition to his engineering career, Solås is deeply invested in community engagement and digital education. He is the co-founder and chair of Kodeklubben Ulsteinvik, a local makerspace dedicated to teaching children and young adults the basics of programming and computational thinking. Through this initiative, he works to cultivate the next generation of tech talent in his region. He is passionate about climate change and conserving our oceans, having been born and raised by the ocean and into a family with close roots to the maritime industry.
Solås lives in Ulsteinvik, Møre og Romsdal, Norway, with his wife Dr. Birgitte Øvrelid, and three daughters Lina, Synne, and Ane.
Johan Riis
Research and Development Engineer
Johan Riis is a Research and Development Engineer at Restorae, originally from Oslo. With a background in carpentry and a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at NTNU in Ålesund, he combines practical craftsmanship with advanced engineering expertise. His work bridges design precision and innovative problem-solving.
During his studies, Johan was an active member of SubHorizon, a student organization focused on developing Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). This experience nurtured his passion for technical innovation, teamwork, and applied research.
At Restorae, Johan specializes in 3D design and simulation, with skills in CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) and FEA (Finite Element Analysis). His hands-on approach and analytical yet creative mindset allow him to develop efficient, reliable, and performance-oriented engineering solutions.
Katrine Vestbøstad
Boardmember
Katrine Vestbøstad is a Norwegian professional with extensive experience in sustainability, renewable energy, ocean-based industry, and international development.
Vestbøstad holds a Master’s degree in Engineering from Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, and has completed additional education at BI Norwegian Business School and NHH Norwegian School of Economics, strengthening her expertise in leadership, strategy, and business economics and administration.
Her career spans both the public and private sectors, including roles as Project Manager in a marine industry cluster focusing on resource efficiency and circular economy, Project Manager at Greenstat – an energy and hydrogen company, and Senior Advisor for Renewable Energy at Norad, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation. She also brings significant diplomatic experience, having served as Counsellor at the Norwegian Embassies in Tanzania and Ethiopia, where she promoted and fostered collaborations to improve energy access and mitigate climate change.
Currently, Vestbøstad leads the department responsible for operating and maintaining the power plants owned by Tussa, a local power company in Møre og Romsdal. Having recently transitioned from a professional career in the ocean industry, she continues to advocate for the sustainable management of marine ecosystems, driven by a deep commitment to environmental stewardship and long-term resource protection.
Vestbøstad is deeply engaged in her community and passionate about promoting both equality and equity. She currently serves as Chair of the Board for Ytre Søre Sunnmøre Symjeklubb, the local swimming club.
She lives in Ulsteinvik, Møre og Romsdal, Norway, with her husband Vegard Alme Ulstein and their two children, Oda and Peder.
Emiel Hoffer
GIS, Innovation and Impact Investing Advisor
Emiel Hoffer is a mission-driven strategist, connector, and advisor, dedicated to building bridges between people, sectors, and ecosystems. With over a decade of experience at the intersection of sustainability, innovation, impact finance, food system transition, he plays a vital role in helping initiatives grow from vision to tangible impact.
Originally from the Netherlands and now based on the southern coast of Norway, Emiel combines his passion for land based restoration and marine ecosystems restoration, with support of the transition of the food system. His deep fascination for kelp forests and the power of low trophic aquaculture led him to co-found Swedish Seaweed, a regenerative seaweed farming venture, that aspires to grow valuable resources, facilitate science, foster community engagement and educate next generations.
Emiel is known for his ability to connect dots—between science and policy, local communities and global frameworks, nature and finance. His career includes leading innovation projects and global teams at Rabobank, a global food & agri bank, where he worked on sustainable agriculture solutions, geospatial technology, and climate risk solutions across all continents. He brings this systems thinking into his current work, supporting coastal ventures, restoration startups, and research consortia in shaping sustainable strategies, funding approaches, and collaborative ecosystems.
He holds a Master’s degree in Corporate Social Responsibility from Radboud University (NL), studied an exchange semester at the University of California, Berkeley (US), and completed executive training at DRIFT (Erasmus University Rotterdam, NL).
Fluent in Dutch and English and proficient in German, Norwegian, and some Swedish, Emiel works comfortably across cultures, disciplines and all hierarchical levels. Whether aligning stakeholder interests or translating complex challenges into actionable roadmaps, he is often the bridge that connects ambition with execution, and vision with community-rooted impact.
Emiel currently lives in Arendal, Norway, together with his wife Inge, who works as a Marine Biologist and Ecologist at the leading Norwegian ocean research institute. They go out in Nature as often as possible, by mountainbike, on foot or by boat.
Ole Kristian Vada
Research and Development Engineer
Ole Kristian Vada is a Norwegian engineer with a strong background in industrial automation, robotics, and multidisciplinary project execution across the maritime, offshore, and aquaculture sectors. Most recently, he served as a Field Service Engineer at Ulmatec Handling Systems, responsible for commissioning, testing, and maintenance of advanced systems—including offshore gangway solutions and launch-and-recovery systems for industrial ROVs. He also led sea trials to validate performance, safety, and integration before final delivery.
Earlier in his career, at Mowi ASA, Vada supported the rollout of advanced production systems in seafood processing. He deployed safety systems and new industrial technologies—installing, programming, and integrating solutions that improved productivity, monitoring, and control. He coordinated across teams and vendors and helped expand the factory’s central SCADA system, enabling real-time visibility and control of production and auxiliary systems across the facility, improving uptime and responsiveness.
Prior to that, at Kleven Verft, he developed custom performance-logging tools to optimize robotic welding and led robot programming, maintenance, and operator training—improving quality, uptime, and process control in automated fabrication lines.
Vada holds a bachelor’s degree in automation engineering from the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (formerly Høgskulen i Bergen), a craft certificate in automation, and additional qualifications in project management. He lives in Hareid, Møre og Romsdal, Norway, with his fiancée, Aleksandra Aasmo. He combines hands-on engineering with a forward-leaning mindset—bridging traditional industrial expertise with modern innovation to help shape a more sustainable maritime future.
Lina Bee
Boardmember
Lina Bee is a Swiss entrepreneur and impact strategist dedicated to driving social and environmental transformation through innovative finance and purpose-driven business models. She is the founder and CEO of Bee More GmbH, a Zurich-based advisory firm that supports family offices and philanthropic foundations in deploying capital through venture philanthropy and entrepreneurial approaches to create measurable positive change worldwide.
Before becoming an entrepreneur herself, Lina Bee spent more than a decade in the field of impact investing, advising and co-developing socially relevant ventures across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Her work bridges the worlds of business and philanthropy, helping mission-driven investors design funding strategies that empower purpose driven entrepreneurs and build long-term, sustainable impact.
In addition to her advisory work, Lina Bee is the founder and CEO of a social enterprise focused on education and female entrepreneurship, supporting women to build financially sustainable and purpose-aligned businesses. She studied Business and Economics in Zurich and Madrid and holds an MBA from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).
Lina Bee brings to Restorae a global perspective on impact strategy, organizational growth, and philanthropic partnerships, contributing to the company’s mission of restoring marine ecosystems through regenerative business innovation. She lives in Zurich, Switzerland, with her husband and two daughters.
Dr. Annelise Chapman
Scientific Advisor – Ecology and Environment
Annelise Chapman is a coastal marine ecologist with many years of research experience from both Europe and North America. Since 2008, she has been based in Norway and has applied her scientific work on the interface of research-, management- and industry- sectors, especially concerning marine vegetation systems such as kelp forests. In 2016, she became a pioneer of the emerging seaweed industry in Europe and founded the first seaweed farm in our region.
Her professional journey has taken her from Germany and the UK to Eastern Canada and the Arctic, investigating ecological species interactions in tidal mud flats, salt marshes and eelgrass meadows, as well as coastal kelp forests. The effects of non-native species, often a major threat to biodiversity, were among her scientific focus areas.
Coming to Norway, she perceived as unique the region’s characteristic collaboration of stakeholders from different sectors (industry, research, regulators, environmental groups) and considers the associated opportunities for unusual alliances a major advantage to achieve common goals. Hence, her research here has become gradually more applied, for instance in the context of coastal zone management.
Annelise holds a master’s degree from the University of Göttingen and a PhD from the University of Hamburg – both on Wadden Sea ecology. Among academic workplaces are Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada and Plymouth University, UK. In Norway she has worked both at Møreforsking (Ålesund) and Runde Environmental Centre where she is currently employed as a senior researcher and project manager and with a wide professional network and ongoing collaboration in Europe and beyond.
Committed to developing regenerative practices and nature-positive solutions for meeting global challenges threatening the health of our oceans, Annelise continues to build on her research and entrepreneurial experiences also beyond the seaweed sector, applying her competences towards fostering marine biodiversity and ecosystem integrity. Simply said: as an ecologist she is interested in relationships – within nature, in communities and of people as part of nature.
Annelise lives in a long-term partnership and is based on Remøya, where she is never far from nature and her personal ‘ocean back yard’ – a source of deep gratitude and happiness.
Kira Smiley
Advisor
Kira Smiley is the former Global Director of Sales and Marketing of TidalX AI, a spinout company from Google[x] (now X, the moonshot factory), working on developing high-impact ocean AI technologies that unlock sustainable long-term productivity while protecting and restoring marine ecosystems. There she led R&D efforts and both product and business expansion of technology services for sustainable aquaculture across multiple countries worldwide.
Before joining Tidal, Kira was on a team focused on creating technology for creating smarter food systems traceability at X as a program manager, and prior to that worked across NGOs and Research Institutes globally in the environmental space, including the Finnish Environment Institute, Mitsubishi Research Institute, and the National Audubon Society.
Kira is currently pursuing her MBA at Harvard Business School. She holds a Master of Science in Earth Systems from Stanford University, focused on Sustainable Global Food Security and the Environment, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Human Environmental Systems with a minor in Japanese.
Outside of her day-to-day role, Kira advises on aquaculture technology, is the Conference co-chair for the Harvard Business School Tech Club leadership team, and previously co-led the Sustainability working group within her Women of X Employee Resource Group for several years. She is the recipient of the 2019 DoSER Public Engagement Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and a 2018 Stanford Earth Systems Award for Outstanding Research. In her free time, Kira enjoys cycling, nordic skiing, and scuba diving.
Brian Tsuyoshi Takeda
Co-Founder and CEO
Brian Tsuyoshi Takeda is a Japanese-Canadian entrepreneur and environmental innovator, dedicated to marine ecosystem restoration. Before co-founding Restorae, he was the founder of Urchinomics, a pioneering restorative aquaculture venture that transforms ecologically destructive sea urchins into premium seafood, thereby facilitating the restoration of kelp forests and promoting carbon sequestration and marine biodiversity.
Under Takeda’s leadership, Urchinomics has achieved global recognition. In 2022, the company was one of only three commercial ventures globally endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Takeda was also honored with the Norges Vel Entrepreneur of the Year award, Norway’s oldest and royally appointed social non-profit organization, as well as “Ecopreneur of the Year” award from Salesforce, highlighting his commitment to ecological restoration through innovative business models. Takeda has also shared his insights on restorative aquaculture and marine conservation at international forums, including presenting at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos, and other United Nations events around the world. His work exemplifies the integration of ecological restoration with economic viability, setting a precedent for future initiatives in the blue economy.
Beyond Urchinomics, Takeda serves as Head of Reforestation at the Kelp Forest Foundation, a Netherlands-based nonprofit dedicated to advancing kelp research and restoration globally. He also served as founding partner and steering group member of NoMaRe (Norwegian Marine Restoration), a collaborative platform uniting NGOs, industry leaders, and government agencies to rehabilitate Norway’s degraded kelp forests. Additionally, Takeda collaborates with Tarevoktere, a grassroots diving initiative focused on removing overgrazing sea urchins to enable kelp forest recovery. In April 2025, Takeda was appointed as the Secretariat of International Affairs for the Japan Blue Economy Association (JBE), a research cooperative authorized by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. In this role, he collaborates with international policymakers, regulators, scientific institutes, industry leaders, and civil society to facilitate knowledge sharing around Japan’s successful blue natural capital credit market, known as J-Blue Credit®. This market, which recognizes wild and farmed kelp as part of blue carbon ecosystems, has established the world’s first blue natural capital market, with credits trading at prices significantly higher than other similar carbon initiatives.
Takeda’s multifaceted contributions underscore his commitment to merging ecological restoration with sustainable economic models, fostering a resilient and thriving marine environment. Takeda lives in Ulsteinvik, Møre og Romsdal County, Norway, with his wife Gunnhild, and his three children Sunniva Airi, Magnus Taiki, and Elise Koyuki.
Who we are
Brian Tsuyoshi Takeda
Brian Tsuyoshi Takeda is a Japanese-Canadian entrepreneur and environmental innovator, dedicated to marine ecosystem restoration. Before co-founding Restorae, he was the founder of Urchinomics, a pioneering restorative aquaculture venture that transforms ecologically destructive sea urchins into premium seafood, thereby facilitating the restoration of kelp forests and promoting carbon sequestration and marine biodiversity.
Under Takeda's leadership, Urchinomics has achieved global recognition. In 2022, the company was one of only three commercial ventures globally endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Takeda was also honored with the Norges Vel Entrepreneur of the Year award, Norway’s oldest and royally appointed social non-profit organization, as well as "Ecopreneur of the Year" award from Salesforce, highlighting his commitment to ecological restoration through innovative business models. Takeda has also shared his insights on restorative aquaculture and marine conservation at international forums, including presenting at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, and other United Nations events around the world. His work exemplifies the integration of ecological restoration with economic viability, setting a precedent for future initiatives in the blue economy.
Beyond Urchinomics, Takeda serves as Head of Reforestation at the Kelp Forest Foundation, a Netherlands-based nonprofit dedicated to advancing kelp research and restoration globally. He also served as founding partner and steering group member of NoMaRe (Norwegian Marine Restoration), a collaborative platform uniting NGOs, industry leaders, and government agencies to rehabilitate Norway’s degraded kelp forests. Additionally, Takeda collaborates with Tarevoktere, a grassroots diving initiative focused on removing overgrazing sea urchins to enable kelp forest recovery. In April 2025, Takeda was appointed as the Secretariat of International Affairs for the Japan Blue Economy Association (JBE), a research cooperative authorized by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. In this role, he collaborates with international policymakers, regulators, scientific institutes, industry leaders, and civil society to facilitate knowledge sharing around Japan’s successful blue natural capital credit market, known as J-Blue Credit®. This market, which recognizes wild and farmed kelp as part of blue carbon ecosystems, has established the world’s first blue natural capital market, with credits trading at prices significantly higher than other similar carbon initiatives.
Takeda’s multifaceted contributions underscore his commitment to merging ecological restoration with sustainable economic models, fostering a resilient and thriving marine environment.
Takeda lives in Ulsteinvik, Møre og Romsdal County, Norway, with his wife Gunnhild, and his three children Sunniva Airi, Magnus Taiki, and Elise Koyuki.
Leif Rune Solås
Leif Rune Solås is a Norwegian engineer and technology leader with extensive experience in the maritime and aquaculture industries. He has recently resigned from his position as Development Manager at Mowi ASA's Eggesbønes facility, where he plays a key role in driving innovation in automation, robotics, digitalization and artificial intelligence within seafood processing. Contributing with deep insight on digitalization and automation, he has been part of Mowi’s corporate Processing Excellence team that is responsible for driving Mowi towards industry 4.0.
Prior to joining Mowi, Solås held senior engineering positions at Rolls-Royce Marine in Ulsteinvik, where he contributed to the design and development of advanced marine propulsion and automation systems. His work emphasized technological integration to enhance vessel performance, sustainability, and operational intelligence.
Solås holds a degree in engineering cybernetics from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, providing him with a robust foundation in control systems and intelligent automation. His professional interests center around maritime engineering, robotics, artificial intelligence, and the intersection of automation and sustainable industrial development.
In addition to his engineering career, Solås is deeply invested in community engagement and digital education. He is the co-founder and chair of Kodeklubben Ulsteinvik, a local makerspace dedicated to teaching children and young adults the basics of programming and computational thinking. Through this initiative, he works to cultivate the next generation of tech talent in his region. He is passionate about climate change and conserving our oceans, having been born and raised by the ocean and into a family with close roots to the maritime industry.
Solås lives in Ulsteinvik, Møre og Romsdal, Norway, with his wife Dr. Birgitte Øvrelid, and three daughters Lina, Synne, and Ane.
Where we are based
Restorae is based in the coastal municipality of Ulsteinvik, Møre og Romsdal County, Norway.
Ulsteinvik and the wider Maritime Cluster in Møre og Romsdal is one of Norway´s centers of excellence for maritime, subsea, and deepsea technologies. Restorae aims to leverage this branch expertise and apply it to scalable, ocean restoration initiatives.
Address:
Stålhaugen 7, 6065 Ulsteinvik, Møre og Romsdal, Norway
Our Advisors
Lise Chapman Ph.D
Hartvig Christie
Camila With Fagerli Ph.D
Marianne Franzen Ph.D
Hans Kristian Strand Ph.D
Lina Bee
Emiel Hoffer
Chou Ho Chung
Initiatives we support
Restorae engages with entrepreneurs, scientists, corporates, regulators, environmentalists, and communities to co-create and amplify restorative business models and technologies.
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