FTW Ventures

FTW Ventures is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, focused on early-stage investments in innovative hardware, software, and biotechnology solutions aimed at transforming the global food system. Founded by Brian Frank, a serial entrepreneur and investor, the firm is dedicated to enhancing the quality, accessibility, and enjoyment of food through the application of responsible science and technology. FTW Ventures targets opportunities within the food, agriculture, and technology sectors, seeking to drive positive change and improve how food is produced and consumed worldwide.

Jenn Burka

Principal and Investor

Tawny Scanlan

Investor

12 past transactions

Heritable Agriculture

Seed Round in 2025
Heritable Agriculture is all about using advanced breeding techniques, biotechnology, and genetic research to improve crops, making them more resilient to diseases, pests, and environmental stress. Heritable Agriculture goal is to create varieties that can produce higher yields, require fewer resources, and adapt better to changing climates.

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 is a biotechnology company focused on revolutionizing plant breeding through advanced gene editing and artificial intelligence technologies. By significantly reducing the time required for developing new crop varieties from decades to years, Phytoform enables breeders to create diverse and resilient plants that maximize yields. Their innovative approach aims to enhance the economics of breeding while ensuring that farmers have access to sustainable crops that improve productivity and minimize environmental impact. Through this integration of cutting-edge technology, Phytoform is positioned to transform agricultural practices and contribute to more efficient food production systems.

Plantible

Series A in 2021
Plantible Foods is a business-to-business food technology company that focuses on producing sustainable plant-based protein aimed at transforming the food industry. The company utilizes a proprietary and vertically integrated agricultural manufacturing platform, which enables food companies to innovate while optimizing costs. Plantible's protein is all-natural, organic, and free of major allergens, offering functional characteristics comparable to egg whites, whey protein, and casein. This allows clients to enhance product quality by incorporating a sustainable protein source while also reducing expenses. By prioritizing taste, texture, health benefits, and environmental sustainability, Plantible Foods is positioned to support food manufacturers in creating better products.

Plantible

Seed Round in 2020
Plantible Foods is a business-to-business food technology company that focuses on producing sustainable plant-based protein aimed at transforming the food industry. The company utilizes a proprietary and vertically integrated agricultural manufacturing platform, which enables food companies to innovate while optimizing costs. Plantible's protein is all-natural, organic, and free of major allergens, offering functional characteristics comparable to egg whites, whey protein, and casein. This allows clients to enhance product quality by incorporating a sustainable protein source while also reducing expenses. By prioritizing taste, texture, health benefits, and environmental sustainability, Plantible Foods is positioned to support food manufacturers in creating better products.

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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