the restore
innovation
story
The Restore Blue team is led by founder Sarah Cosgrove, who grew up by the ocean in western Ireland, where she spent her free time swimming, snorkelling, diving, and surfing. Her deep love for the sea inspired her to pursue a degree in marine science, followed by a research career between Ireland and the USA. Eventually, wanting to make a greater impact in the marine industry, Sarah transitioned into marine consultancy, serving as Environmental Director for a local company.
After a few years in this role, she came to realise the need for a more innovative approach in the field. With a long-standing aspiration to run her own business, and a developing awareness of a market gap in offshore developments – specifically in nature-inclusive design planning – she seized the opportunity and founded Restore Innovation. Her commitment to innovative thinking naturally led to the conclusion that real-time data and AI would radically enhance decision-making for nature-based solutions, and Restore Blue was born.
THE RESTORE TEAM
Sarah Cosgrove, PhD
Dr. Sarah Cosgrove is the founder and CEO of Restore Blue., bringing 19 years of expertise in the marine sector to her leadership role. She specialises in Marine Ecology, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), Nature-Inclusive Design, and Sea-Based Aquaculture Development, with a focus on supporting sustainable offshore project planning.
Sarah’s academic foundation includes a BSc in Marine Science and PhD in Marine Ecology from the University of Galway (UoG), followed by two Postdoctoral research positions – first at UoG and later at the University of Texas (UT) in Austin. In 2020, Sarah shifted to consultancy, where she forged strong relationships with key stakeholders in the coastal and offshore development sectors and gained a deep understanding of the planning and operational challenges facing marine industries, including offshore wind.
Her experience as Environmental Director for an Irish marine consultancy further honed her ability to deliver tailored planning solutions for complex projects. In 2023, Sarah founded Restore Blue, leveraging both her research and consultancy experience. Her leadership supports developers in balancing environmental compliance, sustainable resource use, and biodiversity objectives, ensuring the long-term viability of marine projects.
James Downey, BSc.
James is the database coordinator at Restore Blue. He brings a robust background in data coordination and ecological fieldwork, with experience in marine surveys from previous roles. He holds a academic foundation in environmental science from University College Cork (UCC) and Wageningen University & Research (WUR) in the Netherlands.
James is deeply committed to advancing marine biodiversity enhancement. Recently, he furthered his expertise by completing Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Galway’s postgraduate programme in marine spatial planning. James has developed specialized skills in integrating policy-compliant, ecosystem-based approaches into marine spatial planning and infrastructure development. At Restore Blue, he plays a pivotal role in leading data collation and processing efforts, ensuring high-quality, science-driven insights for sustainable marine solutions.
Billy Einkamerer
Billy is a cloud-native strategist and AWS-certified architect specialising in scalable, high-performance solutions. As the Founder of Exonic Solutions, an AWS Partner company, he has led teams in building secure, serverless platforms that drive business efficiency.
Billy brings a forward-thinking approach to digital transformation, leveraging cloud and AI-driven solutions to enhance environmental intelligence. His strategic leadership enables Restore Blue to harness cutting-edge technology for real-time data insights, driving sustainability and operational efficiency in offshore wind development. With a track record of long-term client partnerships and successful cloud deployments, Billy is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the cloud space, helping businesses scale, innovate, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital world.
ADVISORY BOARD
Shannon Weber
Shannon is a brand and business strategist with 25+ years of experience driving brand growth, digital transformation, and sustainable business innovation. She has worked across industries, from fintech to e-commerce, crafting compelling brand narratives and scaling businesses for long-term success. As a mentor and coach to startups, Shannon helps emerging companies secure funding and establish market presence. Her expertise lies in turning complex challenges into actionable strategies that foster innovation, growth, and lasting impact.
Arley Muth, PhD
Arley is an accomplished marine ecologist with extensive experience in research and editorial leadership. She serves as Editor in Chief at Wiley, guiding cutting -edge science to publication success. Her academic journey includes roles as a Postdoctoral Researcher and PhD program as EPA STAR Fellow, reflecting a strong commitment to environmental science. Arley has also contributed as an Instructor in Marine Field Studies and Assistant Editor for the Journal of Phycology, demonstrating her dedication to advancing marine biology and ecology.
Mike Kelly
Mike is a Chartered Director and entrepreneur with a track record of founding and scaling successful businesses. With expertise in BiodiversityTech, he founded BiodiversityStartups.com, supporting startups in this space across Europe while guideing emerging companies in securing funding and market growth. At age 27, he co-founded his first company of four, securing seven-figure funding and expanding it to 300+ staff across eight locations. Mike specializes in building high-impact businesses that drive innovation and long-term success.