Meet the visionaries
Guided by a shared mission and decades of experience in seaweed science, agriculture, and sustainable innovation, the leadership team at The Seaweed Consortium (TSC) brings global expertise and local impact to shape the future of the seaweed industry.
Dr. Stefan Kraan
Founder & Director
Scientific Lead & Board Director
Dr. Stefan Kraan brings over 35 years of expertise in marine botany, aquaculture, and applied phycology, and is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading voices in seaweed science and industry development.
He has played a key role in shaping the global seaweed value chain through his leadership roles at Ocean Harvest Technology, The Seaweed Company, and multiple international initiatives across Europe and Asia.
Dr. Kraan currently serves as President of the International Society for Applied Phycology (2024 2027), and previously served as President of the International Seaweed Association (2016–2019).
His career includes:
- 40+ research grants totalling over €4 million
- Supervised 9 BSc, 4 MSc, 2 PhD, and 3 Postdoctoral researchers
- Authoring numerous scientific papers and book chapters with leading publishers including Elsevier, Springer, and Woodhead
- Advisory roles in seaweed development programs in Indonesia, Norway, and other global markets
His deep scientific foundation and international leadership continue to drive TSC’s innovation and long-term vision.
Hari Shankar
Co-founder & Director
Seaweed Cultivation Lead
Hari Shankar Thivakar is one of India’s early pioneers in seaweed cultivation, with over 15 years of hands-on experience spanning microalgae, Gracilaria, and Kappaphycus farming.
A Chemical Engineer with an MSc in Material Science, Hari founded TSC Purple Pvt. Ltd. to scale seaweed farming and drive climate-positive impact across India’s coastal regions.
His contributions include:
- Training 500 + fishermen in sustainable seaweed cultivation
- Leading large-scale cultivation projects across multiple Indian coastlines
- Championing seaweed-based climate and livelihood solutions
- Advancing India’s position in the global seaweed economy
He brings a rare mix of technical expertise, on-ground farming experience, and mission-driven leadership that anchors TSC’s growth and community impact.
Prasanna Mohan
Partner & Director
Production & Commercialization Lead
Prasanna Mohan leads Prasmo Agri, one of India’s most pioneering enterprises in seaweed based sustainable agriculture inputs.
Founded in 2013, Prasmo Agri has become a key driver of India’s transition toward environmentally responsible farming through seaweed-derived bio-stimulants and organic inputs.
Coming from a family deeply rooted in agriculture, Prasanna builds upon the legacy of his father, Mr. Mohan Muthu Krishnan, founder of the Skywin Group (est. 1982), a leader in Agri inputs for over three decades.
His work combines:
- Applied biotechnology
- Sustainable farming innovation
- Community-focused development models
- Scalable production of organic agricultural solutions
Prasanna’s leadership has positioned Prasmo Agri and now TSC at the forefront of India’s sustainable agriculture movement.
