Haematococcus

Haematococcus is the source of astaxanthin - the pigment that makes salmon pink and flamingos pink. When stressed, this green alga turns bright red, accumulating astaxanthin as protection against UV radiation. Commercial cultivation produces the natural astaxanthin used in aquaculture (to color farmed salmon), cosmetics, and supplements.

Haematococcus demonstrates stress-induced value creation. The valuable compound is only produced under adverse conditions - bright light, nutrient deprivation, salt stress. Optimal growth conditions produce worthless green algae. The business parallel is products or capabilities that emerge from constraint and adversity rather than abundance.