First Bight Ventures

Industrial Microbes designs and builds microbes that produce better chemicals with lower costs and lower carbon emissions. We use greenhouse gases as the raw materials, including biogas, natural gas, and carbon dioxide. We scale our process with global chemical producers.

Founded in 2016 and based in San Diego, Algenesis is a material science company dedicated to combating pollution caused by fossil fuel-derived products. It produces renewable polyurethanes from algae and non-food plant oils, partnering with companies to create sustainable surfboards and biodegradable flip flops.

Visolis is a bioengineering company based in Berkeley, California, that specializes in the development of carbon-negative and sustainable chemicals. Established in 2012, the company employs a systems approach that combines innovations in synthetic biology, chemical catalysis, and process scale-up to create new bio-based manufacturing platforms. Visolis' technology enables the production of chemicals for performance polymers, which can be seamlessly integrated into existing fuels such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel through straightforward and cost-effective chemical transformations. The company's focus on achieving true carbon-negative chemical synthesis positions it as a leader in sustainable chemical manufacturing.

Persephone Biome, Inc. is a San Diego-based company focused on researching and developing products and therapies that modify gut microbial metabolism, particularly in relation to cancer treatment. Established in 2017, the company is creating innovative solutions aimed at enhancing the efficacy of oncology drugs by retuning the gut microbiome. This includes the development of a pill containing beneficial gut bacteria. In addition to its therapeutics, Persephone Biome aims to offer nutritional products that support the human gut microbiome, producing functional foods and beverages that cater to the growing consumer demand for health-oriented products. The company has plans to enter clinical trials to further advance its initiatives in the field of microbiome-directed therapies.