Seawater Greenhouse Ltd
Seawater Greenhouse Ltd is a for-profit organization that allows people living in arid environments to grow fruits and vegetables in greenhouses.
What we should know about you
Questions answered by Charlie Paton, Director
1. What is your biggest success as an entrepreneur?
Building the first Seawater Greenhouses in multiple locations around the world, but especially in Somaliland where conditions are extremely challenging.
2. What was a troubling time that you managed to overcome?
Our first successful pilot in Tenerife was closed down by the European Commission, who considered that it would undermine the Common Agricultural Policy. A six year legal battle ensued.
3. What recommendation would you give to someone who thinks about starting a social enterprise?
I have always been inspired by E F Schumacher’s book – Small is Beautiful. This quote in particular: “We must do what we conceive to be right and not bother our heads or burden our souls with whether we’ll be successful. Because if we don’t do the right thing, we’ll do the wrong thing, and we’ll be part of the disease and not part of the cure”.
Additional achievements
Awards
- Katerva 2020 Food and Water
- Shell 2018 Springboard