Great Circle Ventures

Supergut is a nutrition company based in Los Angeles, California, founded in 2019. It specializes in producing and retailing nutritional products designed to address common health conditions. Supergut’s product line includes a variety of flavorful nutritional shakes that incorporate resistant starch, a prebiotic fiber known to support a healthy gut microbiome. These shakes aim to enhance the body's natural ability to manage blood sugar, satisfy hunger, and strengthen the immune system. The company emphasizes clinically validated solutions that have demonstrable health benefits, focusing on the critical role of gut health in overall well-being.

Equii is a food technology company established in 2021 and located in San Ramon, California. Founded by Monica Bhatia, the company specializes in discovering and utilizing highly nutritious microbial proteins to enhance the fermentation of grains, resulting in high-protein grain flours. Equii's innovative approach transforms agricultural crops into nutritionally balanced products, catering to various eating occasions and providing consumers with access to healthier food options. Through its breakthrough technology, the company aims to deliver complete nutritional solutions, emphasizing the importance of protein-rich diets.

Bend is a financial technology company that focuses on supporting climate-friendly businesses through innovative solutions. It offers corporate cards designed specifically for these enterprises while also serving as a climate assessment platform. Bend aims to make CO2e emissions data programmable and accessible, providing a database that includes merchant-specific CO2e information and category fallbacks. This enables clients to obtain spend-based CO2e estimates, allowing them to effectively track carbon reductions and measure their supply chain footprint.

SOBO Foods is a plant-based comfort food provider located in Thousand Oaks, California. The company specializes in Asian American frozen food products that feature plant-based, veggie-packed recipes. By focusing on nostalgic flavors and comfort food, SOBO Foods aims to deliver satisfying meal options that resonate with customers seeking healthier alternatives without sacrificing taste.

Demi is a provider of environmental services focused on making composting accessible to the 40 million Americans living in apartments, who collectively generate over 200 million pounds of food waste each week. The company partners with residential buildings to implement a tech-enabled "compost-as-a-service" system. This system features stylish compost bins, smart collection pods, and a mobile app designed to foster a culture of composting among residents. By offering composting as a streamlined amenity, Demi helps reduce traditional waste management costs and enables buildings to pursue sustainability and wellness certifications. This initiative not only lowers emissions but also enhances the reputation of buildings committed to environmental responsibility.

Hedgehog is a company focused on the cultivation of fungi, utilizing advanced technology to produce organic mushrooms at significantly reduced costs. Founded in 2022, Hedgehog employs an AI-driven discovery platform to identify specific microbiomes, allowing for large-scale production of fungi at over 1000 times the typical scale. Their mushrooms are recognized for their meaty umami flavor and possess a range of culinary applications, serving as a low-calorie source of fiber, protein, and antioxidants. This innovative approach not only enhances the culinary offerings of consumers and restaurants but also supports the production of mycelium protein, feed amendments, and bulk animal feed, promoting sustainable practices in food production.

Pow.bio specializes in intelligent fermentation services tailored for industrial and synthetic biology applications. The company aims to transform innovative ideas into profitable products by utilizing continuous fermentation combined with advanced control methodologies. This approach allows Pow.bio to optimize fermentation processes rapidly, resulting in high yields at reduced costs. Their fermentation capabilities range from 1 to 100 liters, accommodating various microorganisms, including bacteria, yeast, and filamentous fungi. By addressing the capacity challenges in fermentation, Pow.bio seeks to empower scientists to develop sustainable alternatives that can compete with traditional, less sustainable practices.

California Cultured is a food company based in Davis, California, that specializes in producing sustainable, lab-grown cocoa through advanced cellular agriculture techniques. Founded in 2020, the company aims to create cocoa that is less bitter and requires less sugar, enhancing the taste while promoting health benefits. By stimulating cocoa cells with common food ingredients, California Cultured ensures the growth of premium-quality cocoa without the ethical and environmental issues associated with traditional cocoa production, such as slavery and deforestation. This innovative approach allows customers to enjoy delicious cocoa products that are both sustainable and socially responsible.

Dispatch Goods Inc. is a San Francisco-based company that manufactures reusable steel containers and boxes aimed at transforming the food delivery ecosystem. Founded in 2018, the company focuses on eliminating single-use packaging by providing reusable solutions for restaurants and food trucks. Its proprietary reverse logistics platform supports the transition to a reuse model, allowing clients to collect and sanitize containers locally. This approach not only generates immediate cost savings for businesses but also significantly reduces their carbon footprint, positioning Dispatch Goods as a leader in the climate tech sector and a pioneer in the waste reduction industry.