Symbrosia is a Hawai‘i-based agtech company revolutionizing livestock agriculture with SeaGraze®, our proprietary seaweed-based feed additive proven to reduce enteric methane emissions by up to 80% while driving nutritional optimization. Backed by top firms and scientific research, we're scaling regenerative aquaculture and sustainable livestock practices across global markets.
Our team is driven by impact—we believe solutions must be scalable, measurable, and profitable. Join us as we bring ocean-powered nutrition to millions of cattle and reshape the future of agriculture.
Profile Summary
A strategic and results-driven Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with deep expertise in project finance and a proven track record of enabling the successful development and scaling of first-of-a-kind (FOAK) factories, particularly those using seawater to produce biological products (e.g., fish, seaweed, bivalves, equivalent). Adept at navigating financial complexities of capex-intensive projects, securing funding through a combination of equity, debt, grants, and public-private partnerships, and aligning financial strategies with technical and operational execution in novel, high-risk environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the financial strategy, planning, and execution across the company, with a focus on long-term capital allocation for infrastructure-heavy, biologically based manufacturing operations.
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Develop and oversee project finance models tailored to the unique risks and milestones of FOAK biological facilities.
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Work closely with engineering, operations, and regulatory teams to understand and integrate project timelines, technical risks, and cost structures into financial planning.
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Secure funding through a mix of sources, including venture capital, infrastructure funds, government grants, green bonds, and strategic partnerships.
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Manage capital expenditure (CapEx) and operating expenditure (OpEx) budgeting for factory build-outs, ensuring cost control and alignment with business milestones.
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Lead investor relations, managing communications and reporting to current and prospective stakeholders.
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Build and mentor a high-performing finance team capable of supporting complex, multi-stakeholder projects in emerging technology environments.
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Implement financial systems, controls, and reporting suitable for scaling from pre-revenue R&D through commercial production.
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Act as a key member of the executive team, contributing to overall business strategy, risk management, and governance.
Required Experience & Qualifications
- 10+ years of senior finance leadership, ideally including CFO-level experience in a startup or scale-up environment.
- Demonstrated success in financing FOAK projects or large-scale infrastructure within life sciences, industrial biotechnology, or advanced manufacturing.
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Strong command of project finance structures and financial modeling, especially in contexts involving novel technology risk and regulatory oversight.
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Track record of managing end-to-end capital projects exceeding $50M+, from feasibility through commissioning.
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Deep understanding of the cost and risk profile of biological manufacturing, including fermentation, downstream processing, and GMP considerations.
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Experience working with multidisciplinary technical teams (e.g., process engineers, biologists, construction managers).
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Advanced degree in Finance, Business, Economics, Engineering, or related field; MBA, CFA, or CPA preferred.
Desirable Attributes
- Experience interacting with government agencies, regulators, and grant bodies.
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Familiarity with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) financing instruments (e.g., climate tech, impact investing, green bonds).
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Entrepreneurial mindset with a bias toward action, adaptability, and problem-solving in ambiguity.
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Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, particularly with technical and non-technical audiences.
