FTW Ventures, based in San Francisco, is an early-stage venture capital firm focused on investing in innovative hardware, software, and biotech solutions within the global food system. Led by General Partner Brian Frank, a seasoned entrepreneur turned investor, the firm aims to improve food quality, accessibility, and enjoyment through responsible science and technology.
Heritable Agriculture is a technology-driven company specializing in agricultural innovation. It employs advanced breeding techniques, biotechnology, and genetic research to enhance crop resilience against diseases, pests, and environmental stress. The company's mission is to develop crop varieties that yield more, require fewer resources, and adapt better to changing climates. By leveraging artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and traditional breeding methods, Heritable Agriculture aims to create a more sustainable and efficient agricultural system, offering clients services such as phenotype prediction, causal gene identification, and genome editing design.
Earthodic
Seed Round in 2024
Earthodic is an Australian materials science company that specializes in the development of bio-based coatings aimed at reducing reliance on non-renewable resources. The company produces a biobased water-resistant coating suitable for use on pulped paper and various products. This innovative coating is designed for manufacturers, converters, and consumer brands, enabling them to coat items such as packaging and materials used in agriculture and construction. By offering a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic, Earthodic contributes to environmentally friendly practices in multiple industries.
Boston Bioprocess
Seed Round in 2024
Boston Bioprocess operates as a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) focused on facilitating the scale-up of microbial fermentation processes. The company specializes in providing comprehensive services that include strain evaluation, process development, and optimization of fermentation conditions for yeast, bacteria, and fungal microbes. By replicating commercial manufacturing conditions, Boston Bioprocess helps clients enhance production yields and reduce costs. Additionally, the company offers downstream processing optimization and effective technology transfer from laboratory settings to industrial scales. This enables fermentation-based companies to access necessary equipment and expertise, ultimately supporting them in their efforts to commercialize their products efficiently.
Nfinite Nanotech
Seed Round in 2024
Nfinite Nanotechnology is an advanced materials company specializing in open-air atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology. The company develops functional nanomaterials that facilitate the creation of sustainable solutions, including compostable and recyclable flexible food packaging, batteries, and photovoltaics. Nfinite's innovative nanocoating system produces large-area, high-quality ultrathin films significantly faster and more economically than conventional methods, enhancing the production capabilities for packaging manufacturers. By enabling the development of cost-effective, sustainable packaging, Nfinite Nanotechnology plays a crucial role in promoting environmental responsibility while ensuring product freshness and shelf-life.
Izote Biosciences
Pre Seed Round in 2024
Opeator of a fermentation technology company intended to improve the economics of industrial fermentation. The company develops an anaerobic process that facilitates a more straightforward, more productive fermentation design, its system includes highly predictable performance scaling, the ability to extend fermentation runs for days, and the use of low-cost bioreactors, enabling industries to improve performance and process robustness.
Yali Bio
Seed Round in 2022
Yali Biosciences is a food technology company focused on creating sustainable, climate-smart foods through the application of synthetic biology and genomics. Utilizing a synthetic biology platform, the company designs and develops fats tailored for alternative dairy products, which allows the food industry to produce delicious and environmentally friendly dairy alternatives. By leveraging computational biology, Yali Biosciences aims to transform food production processes, promoting renewable resources and supporting the shift towards more sustainable food options.
Phytoform
Seed Round in 2021
Phytoform Labs Ltd, established in 2017 and headquartered in London, specializes in agricultural biotechnology. The company offers genome editing services to crop breeders worldwide, aiming to accelerate plant breeding from decades to years. By employing advanced gene editing technologies and artificial intelligence, Phytoform helps breeders create diverse, sustainable crops with improved yields, ultimately enhancing the economics of breeding for customers.
Plantible
Series A in 2021
Plantible Foods, Inc., established in 2016 and based in Bay Harbor Islands, Florida, specializes in developing and producing plant-based protein for the food industry. The company's unique approach involves extracting the grassy flavor from lemna and utilizing aquatic plants to create alternative protein sources. Plantible operates a vertically integrated, proprietary agricultural manufacturing platform, enabling it to deliver sustainable, high-quality protein to its B2B clients. This protein is all-natural, organic, free from major allergens, and offers similar functional characteristics to traditional proteins like egg whites, whey, or casein. By adopting Plantible's protein, food companies can enhance product quality, optimize costs, and reduce their environmental footprint.
Plantible
Seed Round in 2020
Plantible Foods, Inc., established in 2016 and based in Bay Harbor Islands, Florida, specializes in developing and producing plant-based protein for the food industry. The company's unique approach involves extracting the grassy flavor from lemna and utilizing aquatic plants to create alternative protein sources. Plantible operates a vertically integrated, proprietary agricultural manufacturing platform, enabling it to deliver sustainable, high-quality protein to its B2B clients. This protein is all-natural, organic, free from major allergens, and offers similar functional characteristics to traditional proteins like egg whites, whey, or casein. By adopting Plantible's protein, food companies can enhance product quality, optimize costs, and reduce their environmental footprint.
Debut
Seed Round in 2020
Debut Biotechnology, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in San Diego, California, established in 2019. It specializes in biomanufacturing solutions for high-value molecules, focusing on the development of specialty enzyme solutions and continuous manufacturing processes. The company offers a range of services, including biomanufacturing cartridges, fermentation, and the immobilization of cells and enzymes. Debut Biotechnology is dedicated to creating novel immobilization techniques for enzymes, achieving high success rates and providing immobilized enzymes for continuous manufacturing systems. Its innovative approach enables the production and modification of small and large molecules, catering primarily to the pharmaceutical and specialty chemical industries. By harnessing natural enzyme technologies, Debut aims to deliver sustainable and cost-effective ingredient solutions to its clients.
Spoiler Alert
Seed Round in 2016
Spoiler Alert is a Boston-based software company that specializes in helping perishable consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands manage excess and slow-moving inventory. The company focuses on the manufacturing and distribution levels, providing a B2B sales platform that streamlines the liquidation processes for food and beverage brands. This platform facilitates transactions across a private network of discount retailers and nonprofit organizations, with the aims of maximizing value recovery and enhancing customer relationships. By digitizing traditionally manual sales processes, Spoiler Alert improves the efficiency of sales and supply chain managers. Founded by MIT alumni, the company collaborates with major brands such as Campbell's, Danone, and Kraft Heinz, while also supporting a growing network of discount channels dedicated to increasing food access and minimizing waste.
Geltor
Seed Round in 2016
Geltor, Inc. is a biodesign company based in San Leandro, California, that specializes in producing bioactive, animal-free collagens and proteins for various applications in beauty, nutrition, and wellness. Established in 2015, Geltor offers innovative products such as Collume, which promotes skincare cellular regeneration and dermal synthesis, and HumaColl21, which enhances skin health by boosting collagen and elastin levels. Additionally, the company provides vegan collagen peptides and other novel proteins designed for functional food and nutraceutical formulations. Geltor's products are sustainably cultivated and clinically validated, allowing businesses to create effective, plant-based solutions that contribute to a more sustainable future.
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