Cofounder and CEO of Algal Tech, Inc., based in Fremont, California with operations in Ensenada, Baja California. Algal Tech's mission is to make highly nutritious, fresh sea vegetables with mild umami taste, available to mass markets as a key ingredient for nutraceuticals and to replace animal protein with our sea vegetables.Algal Tech has developed an IP portfolio with a patent pending and trade secrets. Its innovative cutting-edge technology for the aeroponic cultivation of… Show more Cofounder and CEO of Algal Tech, Inc., based in Fremont, California with operations in Ensenada, Baja California. Algal Tech's mission is to make highly nutritious, fresh sea vegetables with mild umami taste, available to mass markets as a key ingredient for nutraceuticals and to replace animal protein with our sea vegetables.Algal Tech has developed an IP portfolio with a patent pending and trade secrets. Its innovative cutting-edge technology for the aeroponic cultivation of sea vegetables in a controlled environment, allowing the introduction to the market of new nutritious and sustainable superfoods at a very competitive price point.Algal Tech has developed a disruptive technology that enables the sustainable production at scale of two high-value fresh sea vegetable: Aonori (Ulva clathrata). Our products are rich in highly bioavailable vegetable protein (26%, with a biologically complete amino acid profile) and soluble fiber (25%). The amount of protein in these products is comparable to the average amount of protein in beef (26% to 28%), while having countless other nutritional and health benefits. Algal Tech’s technology is the result of more than 25 years of research and development by a multidisciplinary team from the U.S. and Mexico (with specialties in marine biology, plant physiology, aquaculture, engineering, etc.) that culminated in the domestication of some species of macro algae to be used as foods of high nutritional value. Show less

2018-2019. Product-market validation in EuropeAlgal Tech, SAPI de CV, a Mexican corporation joined efforts with Porto Muiños, SL in A Coruña, Galicia, Spain, to developed a pilot project to validate the interest of European markets in the fresh sea vegetables produced by Algal Tech using its technology. Confirmed product-market fit was done by Porto Muiños. Strong interest of supermarkets and clubs, healthy food producers, frozen food companies and ready-to-eat salad packers to include… Show more 2018-2019. Product-market validation in EuropeAlgal Tech, SAPI de CV, a Mexican corporation joined efforts with Porto Muiños, SL in A Coruña, Galicia, Spain, to developed a pilot project to validate the interest of European markets in the fresh sea vegetables produced by Algal Tech using its technology. Confirmed product-market fit was done by Porto Muiños. Strong interest of supermarkets and clubs, healthy food producers, frozen food companies and ready-to-eat salad packers to include Algal Tech's fresh sea vegetables in their offerings. Show less

AAI was originally founded in 2005 as Sinaloa Seafields International, Inc., to develop the technology and intellectual property to breed and farm a new generation of shrimp for commercialization and export to the US market. AAI has a joint venture with the Northwest Center for Biological Research, (CIBNOR), La Paz, B.C.S.• AAI is worldwide recognized for having ground breaking technology and experience in the shrimp and algae business, developing innovative advances in aquaculture and… Show more AAI was originally founded in 2005 as Sinaloa Seafields International, Inc., to develop the technology and intellectual property to breed and farm a new generation of shrimp for commercialization and export to the US market. AAI has a joint venture with the Northwest Center for Biological Research, (CIBNOR), La Paz, B.C.S.• AAI is worldwide recognized for having ground breaking technology and experience in the shrimp and algae business, developing innovative advances in aquaculture and developing a successful pilot for a pre-commercial enterprise. • Developed a joint venture agreement with CIBNOR to perform domestication of brown shrimp in coculture with algae to breed and reproduce for the first time this new species of shrimp, P. californienssis, and seaweed, Ulva clathrata, as a sustainably coculture (green tag) based on Fish Wise’s criteria.• Obtained $3.1 million in venture capital from private investors and $800,000 grant from the Mexican Economy Secretariat and CONACYT (Mexico National Council for Science and Technology).• From 2012 to 2015, developed a three hectare pilot farm to produce sustainable farm shrimp in San Quintin, Baja California, sold 12 tons as a PrimeShrimp to a major Supermarket chain in California. • Awarded Pyme prize (for small/mid-size companies) for being the best Mexican enterprise recognized for its international impact, innovative technology which reproduces the marine habitat allowing sustainable production of shrimp to be exported as a “green product” to the US market Show less

Co-founded Sinaloa Seafields, Inc. (SSI), a start-up venture to develop a core technology and process for farming and commercializing genetically improved shrimp and macro algae for export to the USA. In 2009, SSI relocated its headquarters from St. Louis to San Diego and became Aonori Aquafarms, Inc. (AAI).In coordination with Dr. Benjamin A Moll, SSI Chief Scientific Officer, in Los Mochis, Sin, Mexico, developed a break-through technology to grow macro algae in a disruptive system… Show more Co-founded Sinaloa Seafields, Inc. (SSI), a start-up venture to develop a core technology and process for farming and commercializing genetically improved shrimp and macro algae for export to the USA. In 2009, SSI relocated its headquarters from St. Louis to San Diego and became Aonori Aquafarms, Inc. (AAI).In coordination with Dr. Benjamin A Moll, SSI Chief Scientific Officer, in Los Mochis, Sin, Mexico, developed a break-through technology to grow macro algae in a disruptive system lowering production cost and significantly increasing yield.Developed two USA patents, and two PCT patents to protect SSI intellectual property related to growing seaweed (Ulva) in co-culture with white shrimp. Show less

New VAR, LLC started operations as D.C. Transformations, Inc. (a start-up electronics company) financed by private investors to develop a prototype for an electronic high power conditioning system. Was recruited as CEO to raise operating capital and develop the first prototype using the company owned patented technology.• Raised $2.6 million angel funding to develop and patent the core technology and an additional $1.6 million to develop the prototype for a high power conditioning system… Show more New VAR, LLC started operations as D.C. Transformations, Inc. (a start-up electronics company) financed by private investors to develop a prototype for an electronic high power conditioning system. Was recruited as CEO to raise operating capital and develop the first prototype using the company owned patented technology.• Raised $2.6 million angel funding to develop and patent the core technology and an additional $1.6 million to develop the prototype for a high power conditioning system for VAR control.• Acquired certification from the Mexican Power Company (CFE) for the VAR control system.• Structured a joint venture $10 million investment with Condumex (a Mexican industrial group).• New VAR’s technology is used today by Princeton Power Systems and SAIC. Show less

As Area Business Manager in Tijuana, B. C., Mr. Leon managed customer private banking operation as well as acquisition transactions of Mexican companies by USA investors.Representative of GFI in Los Angeles, CA. At this position Mr. Leon attracted and advised USA and Asian companies from the LA region to invest in Mexico in the agribusiness, maquiladora and tourism sectors.

Mr. Leon’s activities included marketing and sales operations of vegetables and strawberries produced in San Quintin, Baja California, with annual sales of US$ 12 M. in the US and Canadian markets. To improve the productivity of the Company´s clients he provided technical assistance to growers to innovate and improve their post harvesting processes and overall quality of products by establishing a strong relationship with the UC Davies Post Harvesting Extension Services

From 1978 to 1982 he was Regional Manager for Casa de Bolsa Banamex, Investment Banking Group (Banco Nacional de Mexico, S.A.). As Regional Manger in the State of Sinaloa, Mexico, Mr. Leon introduced the private banking financial services. In three years, with a staff of 3 portfolio managers created and managed a portfolio of securities for clients valued at US$ 70 M USD.From 1983 to 1985, as Area Manager at the International Banking Division at Banamex, in Mexico City, Mr. Leon´s group… Show more From 1978 to 1982 he was Regional Manager for Casa de Bolsa Banamex, Investment Banking Group (Banco Nacional de Mexico, S.A.). As Regional Manger in the State of Sinaloa, Mexico, Mr. Leon introduced the private banking financial services. In three years, with a staff of 3 portfolio managers created and managed a portfolio of securities for clients valued at US$ 70 M USD.From 1983 to 1985, as Area Manager at the International Banking Division at Banamex, in Mexico City, Mr. Leon´s group developed innovative products to finance Industrial Parks to build industrial facilities to be leased to foreign companies that had Maquiladora operations in Mexico. In three years the total value of this portfolio of loans was over US$500 M. Show less

Mr. Leon was Production Manager for Plamex, S A. in Tijuana, B.C., subsidiary of Plantronics, Inc., Santa Cruz, Ca. As Manager of the Transducer department, he had 120 direct operators and 3 engineers in his department