Oregon State University
Grant in 2024
Oregon State University, founded in 1868, serves as the state’s Land Grant university and is distinguished by its Sea Grant, Space Grant, and Sun Grant designations, making it one of only two U.S. universities to hold this combination. It is recognized for its research excellence and community engagement, holding the Carnegie Foundation's top designation for research institutions. With a diverse student body of over 26,000 from across Oregon and more than 100 countries, Oregon State offers over 200 undergraduate and 80 graduate degree programs, including more than 30 online degrees through Oregon State Ecampus. The university operates 12 colleges, 15 Agricultural Experiment Stations, and 35 county Extension offices, as well as facilities such as the Hatfield Marine Sciences Center and OSU-Cascades. Oregon State's economic impact extends across all 36 counties in Oregon, contributing $2.06 billion to the state's economy. The university is noted for its strong programs in fields including conservation biology, agricultural sciences, nuclear engineering, and pharmacy, attracting high-achieving students committed to making a positive difference in society.
Keck Graduate Institute
Grant in 2024
Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) is part of the prestigious Keck is one of the few graduate schools exclusively dedicated to the study of biosciences. The school’s graduate programs blend academics with business-oriented approaches to the field.
Quantitative BioSciences
Grant in 2024
Quantitative BioSciences specializes in developing customized biological sensors for real-time monitoring of water quality. Their innovative technology integrates synthetic biology, microfluidics, and computational algorithms to create field-deployable biosensors capable of analyzing natural water streams for toxin content. This allows clients in various sectors, including industrial, agricultural, and pharmaceutical, to monitor and manage water quality effectively. The company focuses on applications such as wastewater treatment, process control, and specialized industrial monitoring, utilizing advanced techniques to enhance environmental safety and operational efficiency. By combining cutting-edge technologies, Quantitative BioSciences aims to provide solutions that enable timely analysis and treatment of water before it is released into the environment.
Danimer Scientific
Grant in 2024
Danimer Scientific, formerly known as Meredian Holdings Group, Inc., specializes in the production of biopolymers, particularly polyhydroxyalkanoates, which are biodegradable plastics. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Bainbridge, Georgia, with a production facility in Winchester, Kentucky, the company offers a range of products including additives, coatings, resins, and thermoforming materials. Danimer Scientific focuses on sustainable practices by providing products that are designed to reduce petrochemical plastic pollution and are certified for biodegradability and compostability. The company's biopolymers, marketed under the Nodax brand, are FDA approved for food contact and are utilized in various applications such as disposable flatware, packaging, and adhesives. In addition to manufacturing, Danimer provides research and development and toll manufacturing services, catering to a global clientele committed to environmentally friendly solutions.
Solugen
Debt Financing in 2024
Solugen, Inc. is a specialty chemicals company based in Houston, Texas, that focuses on producing industrial chemicals through industrial biotechnology and green chemistry. Founded in 2016, Solugen develops a range of environmentally friendly products, including BioPeroxide, a carbon-negative hydrogen peroxide, and BioChelate, a biodegradable chelant. The company also offers ScavSol, a multivalent metal sequestrant for energy applications; ScaleSol, an alternative to phosphonates for scale control; and CorrSol, a corrosion and fouling control product. By utilizing fermentation and enzymatic technology to convert plant sugars into chemicals, Solugen aims to replace petroleum-based products with plant-derived alternatives. Its innovative solutions are designed to benefit various industries, including agriculture, cleaning, energy, and water, while also addressing critical issues such as clean water, sustainable materials, and healthier personal care products.
Eastman Chemical
Grant in 2024
Eastman Chemical Company is a global specialty chemicals manufacturer that produces advanced materials, chemicals, and fibers utilized in everyday products. Headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, and founded in 1920, Eastman operates over 40 manufacturing sites across 16 countries and has joint ventures that expand its global reach. The company offers a diverse portfolio, including specialty coalescents, solvents, paint additives, copolyesters, cellulose esters, and a variety of fibers. Its operations are segmented into Additives & Functional Products, Advanced Materials, Chemical Intermediates, and Fibers, serving markets such as transportation, building and construction, healthcare, and agriculture. Eastman focuses on high-margin specialty products, reflecting a strategic shift in response to global trends such as energy efficiency and the growth of emerging markets. With a robust presence in Asia, it leverages its market diversity as a competitive advantage.
LactaLogics
Debt Financing in 2024
LactaLogics specializes in human milk-based nutrition products, focusing on providing safe and reliable infant nutrition. The company offers a range of services, including human milk processing, sterilization, fortification, and donor screening, to ensure high-quality breast milk for infants, especially those who are premature or face a milk shortage. By addressing the critical needs in infant nutrition, LactaLogics aims to alleviate supply issues and enhance the availability of safe breast milk for vulnerable populations. The company's commitment to quality and safety supports the health and well-being of infants, making a meaningful impact in the field of pediatric nutrition.
Umaro Foods focuses on creating a sustainable plant-based protein derived from ocean-farmed seaweed. The company aims to provide a nutritious protein alternative while promoting the humane treatment of animals and environmental sustainability. Its innovative products include crispy, crunchy, and umami-flavored bacon alternatives, designed to appeal to consumers looking for healthier and more ethical food options. By collaborating with seaweed farmers, Umaro Foods seeks to establish a more productive and scalable protein source that surpasses traditional soy production, contributing to a thriving planet.
Hermes Biomaterials
Grant in 2024
Hermes Biomaterials provides cutting-edge technology solutions to improve gene editing and transformation in plant cells. It focuses on biolistic delivery and offers new devices and solutions to dramatically increase delivery efficiency, resulting in superior seeds and biofuel crop
Editekk specializes in the development of custom multi-functional surfaces, interfaces, and coatings aimed at enhancing material performance. The company utilizes advanced surface technology to create micro and nano features that allow for tailored control over various surface properties, including surface energy, wettability, composition, and electronic characteristics. This specialized approach not only improves the performance of materials but also increases bone fixation and prevents biofilm formation, thereby reducing the risk of implant failure. Editekk's solutions are designed to meet the specific surface modification needs of its clients, ensuring optimal functionality for diverse applications.
Mizar Imaging
Grant in 2024
Mizar Imaging, founded in 2017 and based in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, specializes in developing modular light sheet illumination systems aimed at enhancing research and microscopy experiences. The company's innovative system is designed for high-resolution imaging and can be integrated with most modern inverted microscopes. It is compatible with high numerical aperture objectives, which helps reduce photobleaching, thereby facilitating longer imaging sessions of living cells.
Verinomics, Inc. is a consultancy based in New Haven, Connecticut, specializing in genomic and computational solutions for crop improvement. Founded in 2016, the company employs data analysis and advanced genomic technologies to assist clients in identifying trait genes and developing tailored workflows for their specific crops. Its offerings include comprehensive services that integrate trait gene identification, breeding analytics, marker deployment, and custom gene editing. By leveraging these solutions, Verinomics enables clients to enhance product development and accelerate trait discovery, thereby improving agricultural outcomes.
Mimetics is a technology and science company that specializes in biological processes through computational and mathematical tools. It uses proprietary data analytics platform to analyze cell level network dynamics to assist both industry and research in new solutions.
BioSynthetic Machines
Grant in 2023
BioSynthetic Machines create organisms for the microbiological synthesis of chemicals by utilizing AI that is proprietary and computational, experimental, and synthetic biology methods.
Om Bharti is a machine-learning software platform that will combine and analyze enormous amounts of biological data to produce actionable results that will speed up research, development, industrialization, and optimization.
ZymoChem, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Emeryville, California, founded in 2013. It specializes in the development of eco-friendly chemicals and bioprocesses using engineered microbes to convert renewable feedstocks, such as sugars, into industrial chemicals. The company’s bio-manufacturing platform aims to produce bio-based materials while minimizing carbon emissions during production, thereby supporting a carbon-efficient economy. By establishing cost-effective bioprocesses and novel biosynthetic pathways, ZymoChem enables clients to reduce production costs and enhance their competitiveness in the market. Through its innovative approach, the company contributes to sustainable manufacturing practices and the advancement of a real-zero economy.
Invizyne specializes in the design of enzymes and the development of cell-free enzymatic pathways that operate independently of living cells. This innovative approach addresses many challenges associated with traditional biomanufacturing methods, which often rely on cell-based systems. By utilizing its proprietary platform, SimplePath, Invizyne aims to transform natural and renewable resources into a variety of valuable chemicals, including pharmaceuticals, fuels, materials, and food additives. The SimplePath system is designed as a modular cascade, allowing for efficient multi-step enzymatic processes. This positions Invizyne as a promising alternative to conventional chemical production methods, such as chemical synthesis and natural extraction, thus redefining the landscape of biomanufacturing.
Oregon State University
Grant in 2023
Oregon State University, founded in 1868, serves as the state’s Land Grant university and is distinguished by its Sea Grant, Space Grant, and Sun Grant designations, making it one of only two U.S. universities to hold this combination. It is recognized for its research excellence and community engagement, holding the Carnegie Foundation's top designation for research institutions. With a diverse student body of over 26,000 from across Oregon and more than 100 countries, Oregon State offers over 200 undergraduate and 80 graduate degree programs, including more than 30 online degrees through Oregon State Ecampus. The university operates 12 colleges, 15 Agricultural Experiment Stations, and 35 county Extension offices, as well as facilities such as the Hatfield Marine Sciences Center and OSU-Cascades. Oregon State's economic impact extends across all 36 counties in Oregon, contributing $2.06 billion to the state's economy. The university is noted for its strong programs in fields including conservation biology, agricultural sciences, nuclear engineering, and pharmacy, attracting high-achieving students committed to making a positive difference in society.
Aequor specializes in developing and marketing proprietary chemicals, cleaners, and water treatments aimed at removing and preventing biofilm, which contributes to various issues such as corrosion and contamination. Founded by a Marine and Medical Microbiologist, Aequor's innovative products are derived from newly discovered marine microbes that produce small molecules effective in biofilm removal and prevention. The company has achieved regulatory approval from the Environmental Protection Agency for several of its non-toxic products, which are classified as green and FDA-approved for food contact. Aequor provides a range of services, including testing, training, consulting, and custom product development, while collaborating with companies to offer comprehensive solutions. Its flagship product demonstrated significant efficacy in NASA's water reuse system on the International Space Station and has shown promise in various closed-loop systems. Aequor is also engaged in projects with the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense, focusing on environmental remediation and enhancing biomass production. As a Woman-Owned Small Business, Aequor is positioned to benefit from government set-asides and matching funds to further its market reach.
University of California
Grant in 2023
The University of California (UC) is a renowned public research university system established in 1868, with its flagship campus at UC Berkeley. With over 280,000 students, 227,000 faculty and staff, and more than 2 million alumni worldwide, UC is a global leader in education and research. It offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across its 10 campuses, fostering interdisciplinary study and collaboration in advanced learning environments. UC's diverse academic community contributes significantly to the economic and social well-being of California and the nation, driving innovations in fields like biotechnology, computer science, and environmental sustainability. Additionally, UC's athletic teams, known as the Golden Bears, represent the university in various sports at the NCAA level.
MicroBio Engineering
Grant in 2023
MicroBio Engineering, Inc. is a consulting and engineering firm focused on the design and construction of algae ponds for various applications, including wastewater reclamation, biofuel production, microalgae feeds, and specialty products. The company employs its expertise in microalgae biotechnology to support clients in advancing algae biomass technologies, aiming to create sustainable solutions in these sectors. By providing specialized engineering services, MicroBio Engineering facilitates the development of efficient systems that leverage algae for environmental and commercial benefits.
Bluestem Biosciences
Grant in 2023
Bluestem Biosciences, Inc. focuses on advancing synthetic biology to enhance industrial applications in the Midwest. The company has developed a digital biology platform aimed at creating biological solutions tailored for strategic opportunities in agriculture and infrastructure. This platform supports the discovery and development of biomanufacturing processes, emphasizing the sustainable production of chemicals and materials. By leveraging proprietary biology designed for anaerobic fermentation conditions, Bluestem enables clients to utilize programmable biology for the efficient manufacturing of commodity chemicals.
Mizar Imaging
Grant in 2023
Mizar Imaging, founded in 2017 and based in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, specializes in developing modular light sheet illumination systems aimed at enhancing research and microscopy experiences. The company's innovative system is designed for high-resolution imaging and can be integrated with most modern inverted microscopes. It is compatible with high numerical aperture objectives, which helps reduce photobleaching, thereby facilitating longer imaging sessions of living cells.
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.
Quantitative BioSciences
Grant in 2023
Quantitative BioSciences specializes in developing customized biological sensors for real-time monitoring of water quality. Their innovative technology integrates synthetic biology, microfluidics, and computational algorithms to create field-deployable biosensors capable of analyzing natural water streams for toxin content. This allows clients in various sectors, including industrial, agricultural, and pharmaceutical, to monitor and manage water quality effectively. The company focuses on applications such as wastewater treatment, process control, and specialized industrial monitoring, utilizing advanced techniques to enhance environmental safety and operational efficiency. By combining cutting-edge technologies, Quantitative BioSciences aims to provide solutions that enable timely analysis and treatment of water before it is released into the environment.
Birch Biosciences
Grant in 2023
Birch Biosciences focuses on developing a proprietary platform that engineers enzymes for an innovative and sustainable plastic recycling process. By utilizing artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, and high-throughput screening techniques, the company creates enzymes that naturally and efficiently break down plastics. This method stands out from traditional recycling by producing virgin-quality, environmentally sustainable, and cost-competitive recycled materials, thereby contributing to a circular plastics economy. Birch Biosciences aims to provide businesses with an effective solution for addressing plastic waste while ensuring economic viability.
Global Algae
Grant in 2023
Global Algae Innovations is a biotechnology company that specializes in algae production technologies. It aims to harness the high productivity of algae to provide food and fuel, thereby improving the environment and quality of life. The company offers a demonstration of its innovations in algae cultivation, harvesting, and processing, enabling clients to focus on research and development to lower costs and energy use in algae farming.
Viridos is a company that develops and commercializes genomic-driven solutions aimed at tackling global energy and environmental issues. It specializes in synthesizing and programming DNA to create and utilize technologies in synthetic genomics. The company designs and develops microbes for various industrial processes and environmental applications, including microbial cultivation technologies that identify novel microorganisms and new genes. Additionally, Viridos focuses on enhancing biofuel production, utilizing photosynthetic organisms to generate value-added products from sunlight and carbon dioxide, and improving the recovery rates of subsurface hydrocarbons. Its innovations also extend to the development of high-yield, disease-resistant feedstocks. Through these efforts, Viridos contributes to the production of energy, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, while also promoting carbon sequestration and environmental remediation.
MicroBio Engineering
Grant in 2023
MicroBio Engineering, Inc. is a consulting and engineering firm focused on the design and construction of algae ponds for various applications, including wastewater reclamation, biofuel production, microalgae feeds, and specialty products. The company employs its expertise in microalgae biotechnology to support clients in advancing algae biomass technologies, aiming to create sustainable solutions in these sectors. By providing specialized engineering services, MicroBio Engineering facilitates the development of efficient systems that leverage algae for environmental and commercial benefits.
Oregon State University
Grant in 2022
Oregon State University, founded in 1868, serves as the state’s Land Grant university and is distinguished by its Sea Grant, Space Grant, and Sun Grant designations, making it one of only two U.S. universities to hold this combination. It is recognized for its research excellence and community engagement, holding the Carnegie Foundation's top designation for research institutions. With a diverse student body of over 26,000 from across Oregon and more than 100 countries, Oregon State offers over 200 undergraduate and 80 graduate degree programs, including more than 30 online degrees through Oregon State Ecampus. The university operates 12 colleges, 15 Agricultural Experiment Stations, and 35 county Extension offices, as well as facilities such as the Hatfield Marine Sciences Center and OSU-Cascades. Oregon State's economic impact extends across all 36 counties in Oregon, contributing $2.06 billion to the state's economy. The university is noted for its strong programs in fields including conservation biology, agricultural sciences, nuclear engineering, and pharmacy, attracting high-achieving students committed to making a positive difference in society.
ViQi offers software-as-a-service solutions for scientific image analysis, catering to various sectors including life sciences, construction, and agriculture. The platform enables users to customize services for data storage and analysis through a straightforward subscription model. ViQi specializes in custom image processing and informatics, providing tools such as bio-image semantic queries, module development, and assistance with intranet deployment. This allows clients to efficiently view, investigate, share, and store complex data and images, facilitating swift results and discoveries in their respective fields.
Birch Biosciences
Grant in 2022
Birch Biosciences focuses on developing a proprietary platform that engineers enzymes for an innovative and sustainable plastic recycling process. By utilizing artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, and high-throughput screening techniques, the company creates enzymes that naturally and efficiently break down plastics. This method stands out from traditional recycling by producing virgin-quality, environmentally sustainable, and cost-competitive recycled materials, thereby contributing to a circular plastics economy. Birch Biosciences aims to provide businesses with an effective solution for addressing plastic waste while ensuring economic viability.
Gross-Wen Technologies
Grant in 2021
Gross-Wen Technologies, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Slater, Iowa, focused on developing solutions for wastewater treatment. The company specializes in a revolving algal biofilm (RAB) system that effectively recovers nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater while generating algae biomass, which can be utilized as a fertilizer or bioplastic. By providing municipalities and wastewater-producing industries with an economical and environmentally friendly method for treating water, Gross-Wen Technologies aims to enhance water quality and promote sustainability in wastewater management. Established in 2013, the company is dedicated to delivering effective and affordable solutions for the treatment of wastewater pollutants.
Tandem Repeat
Grant in 2020
Tandem Repeat is a deep-tech company founded in 2018 and located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It specializes in the development of tunable, adaptable, and programmable protein-based bioderived materials. The company focuses on sustainable manufacturing processes in the textile, medical, and cosmetic industries. By utilizing fermentation and biosynthesis, Tandem Repeat creates innovative, customizable biopolymer-based textiles that meet the demands of modern markets, offering clients advanced technology for the production of sustainable and programmable materials.
Southern Research
Grant in 2019
Southern Research is an independent, nonprofit scientific research organization that employs over 400 scientists and engineers across four main divisions: Drug Discovery, Drug Development, Engineering, and Energy & Environment. The organization provides support to various sectors, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, defense, aerospace, environmental, and energy industries. Southern Research collaborates with prominent entities such as the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Energy, NASA, major aerospace firms, and utility companies. The organization focuses on entrepreneurial and collaborative initiatives aimed at developing and maintaining a pipeline of intellectual property and innovative technologies that address real-world challenges.
Meati Foods is a Boulder, Colorado-based company specializing in the production and sale of fungi-based meat alternatives. Founded in 2016, the company aims to provide sustainable and nutritious plant-based options that serve as an alternative to traditional meat products. Meati Foods utilizes a proprietary fermentation process to create minimally processed steaks made from natural ingredients, ensuring its offerings are free from common allergens. The company markets its products online, making them accessible to a wide audience seeking vegan food choices that are both healthy and environmentally friendly.
As the world's population reaches 9.7 billion in the year 2050, global crop production will need to double to meet the projected demands for food, feed, fiber, and fuel. AFINGEN® develops novel biotechnology platforms for crops to grow faster and healthier and meet the natural resource demand in new sustainable manners.
ViQi offers software-as-a-service solutions for scientific image analysis, catering to various sectors including life sciences, construction, and agriculture. The platform enables users to customize services for data storage and analysis through a straightforward subscription model. ViQi specializes in custom image processing and informatics, providing tools such as bio-image semantic queries, module development, and assistance with intranet deployment. This allows clients to efficiently view, investigate, share, and store complex data and images, facilitating swift results and discoveries in their respective fields.
Lygos is a biotechnology company based in Berkeley, California, established in 2011. It focuses on developing sustainable specialty chemicals by engineering microbes to convert sugars into high-value industrial chemicals. The company targets compounds where biological production offers a cost advantage over traditional petrochemical methods. Lygos employs advanced throughput screening and strain construction techniques to optimize pathways for converting inexpensive, renewable feedstock into valuable chemicals. By replacing persistent and potentially toxic chemicals with cleaner, cost-effective alternatives, Lygos aims to provide high-performing, sustainable solutions for business-to-business customers across various industries.
Our technology begins with hyperefficient data storage and aggregation solutions for genomic imaging, and other healthcare datasets. We couple this with best-in-class, fully customizable data visualization to ensure clinicians and researchers get the data and insights they need exactly when and how they need them. Findings that are individually rare may be collectively common. dātma’s solutions for secure data federation ensure that healthcare data stay securely in the data owner’s tenancy while facilitating networked analysis and discovery.
As the world's population reaches 9.7 billion in the year 2050, global crop production will need to double to meet the projected demands for food, feed, fiber, and fuel. AFINGEN® develops novel biotechnology platforms for crops to grow faster and healthier and meet the natural resource demand in new sustainable manners.
Lygos is a biotechnology company based in Berkeley, California, established in 2011. It focuses on developing sustainable specialty chemicals by engineering microbes to convert sugars into high-value industrial chemicals. The company targets compounds where biological production offers a cost advantage over traditional petrochemical methods. Lygos employs advanced throughput screening and strain construction techniques to optimize pathways for converting inexpensive, renewable feedstock into valuable chemicals. By replacing persistent and potentially toxic chemicals with cleaner, cost-effective alternatives, Lygos aims to provide high-performing, sustainable solutions for business-to-business customers across various industries.
Xylome offers solutions that enable first generation biofuel manufacturers to use second generation technology solutions in their manufacturing process. It offers them with advisory, implementation, and support services. Xylome develops a range of non-conventional yeasts and yeast technology solutions for experimental assessments. Xylome was founded by Thomas W Jeffries in 2007. It is based in Madison, Wisconsin.
HelioBioSys
Non Equity Assistance in 2018
HelioBioSys is a biotechnology company that specializes in marine cyanobacteria. The company uses marine cyanobacteria that grow on air, seawater, and sunlight. They produce a variety of complex biopolymers. HelioBioSys has developed cost-effective ways to harvest and process them into concentrated polysaccharides and hydrogels. These sustainably-derived biomaterials have applications in cosmetics, sunscreens and bioplastics.
ViQi offers software-as-a-service solutions for scientific image analysis, catering to various sectors including life sciences, construction, and agriculture. The platform enables users to customize services for data storage and analysis through a straightforward subscription model. ViQi specializes in custom image processing and informatics, providing tools such as bio-image semantic queries, module development, and assistance with intranet deployment. This allows clients to efficiently view, investigate, share, and store complex data and images, facilitating swift results and discoveries in their respective fields.
Southern Research
Grant in 2018
Southern Research is an independent, nonprofit scientific research organization that employs over 400 scientists and engineers across four main divisions: Drug Discovery, Drug Development, Engineering, and Energy & Environment. The organization provides support to various sectors, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, defense, aerospace, environmental, and energy industries. Southern Research collaborates with prominent entities such as the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Energy, NASA, major aerospace firms, and utility companies. The organization focuses on entrepreneurial and collaborative initiatives aimed at developing and maintaining a pipeline of intellectual property and innovative technologies that address real-world challenges.
Lumen Bioscience
Grant in 2017
Lumen Bioscience, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Seattle, Washington, that focuses on developing therapeutic biologics for oral delivery. Founded in 2017, the company utilizes Spirulina, a blue-green algae, as a platform for the industrial-scale production of high-value molecules. Lumen Bioscience aims to create biologic drugs more efficiently than traditional methods, offering potential advancements in speed, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. The company serves various industries, including food, cosmetics, and healthcare, and is engaged in areas such as synthetic biology, protein design, immunology, bioreactor engineering, and cell physiology. By addressing prevalent diseases that currently lack effective treatments, Lumen Bioscience seeks to provide clinicians with innovative therapeutic options.
Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Grant in 2017
Danforth Technology Company (DTC) is a venture builder based in St. Louis, Missouri, and operates as a subsidiary of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. Its primary role is to facilitate the early-stage development of startup companies that leverage technologies developed by the Center's scientists. DTC focuses on moving scientific discoveries into the marketplace more efficiently by providing intellectual property development, licensing, and entrepreneurship support. The company also offers seed funding and early management assistance to promising startups, enhancing the potential for innovation in plant science and contributing to broader societal goals such as improving human health and environmental sustainability.
As the world's population reaches 9.7 billion in the year 2050, global crop production will need to double to meet the projected demands for food, feed, fiber, and fuel. AFINGEN® develops novel biotechnology platforms for crops to grow faster and healthier and meet the natural resource demand in new sustainable manners.
HelioBioSys
Non Equity Assistance in 2016
HelioBioSys is a biotechnology company that specializes in marine cyanobacteria. The company uses marine cyanobacteria that grow on air, seawater, and sunlight. They produce a variety of complex biopolymers. HelioBioSys has developed cost-effective ways to harvest and process them into concentrated polysaccharides and hydrogels. These sustainably-derived biomaterials have applications in cosmetics, sunscreens and bioplastics.
HelioBioSys
Non Equity Assistance in 2015
HelioBioSys is a biotechnology company that specializes in marine cyanobacteria. The company uses marine cyanobacteria that grow on air, seawater, and sunlight. They produce a variety of complex biopolymers. HelioBioSys has developed cost-effective ways to harvest and process them into concentrated polysaccharides and hydrogels. These sustainably-derived biomaterials have applications in cosmetics, sunscreens and bioplastics.
Ecovia Renewables
Grant in 2015
Ecovia Renewables Inc., founded in 2014 as a spin-out from the University of Michigan and based in Ann Arbor, specializes in developing bio-based ingredients and materials through a proprietary fermentation process utilizing renewable biomass. The company offers a variety of products, including the EcoSynth platform for biochemical and biofuel production, a suite of biopolymers designed as biodegradable alternatives to traditional polymers, and cellulosic biofuels derived from lignocellulosic biomass. Ecovia's biopolymers are versatile, finding applications in agriculture, such as soil additives for water retention, and in personal care products, serving as thickeners and super-absorbent materials. The company is committed to sustainable practices, aiming to provide high-performing, cost-effective biobased solutions for various industries.
Lygos is a biotechnology company based in Berkeley, California, established in 2011. It focuses on developing sustainable specialty chemicals by engineering microbes to convert sugars into high-value industrial chemicals. The company targets compounds where biological production offers a cost advantage over traditional petrochemical methods. Lygos employs advanced throughput screening and strain construction techniques to optimize pathways for converting inexpensive, renewable feedstock into valuable chemicals. By replacing persistent and potentially toxic chemicals with cleaner, cost-effective alternatives, Lygos aims to provide high-performing, sustainable solutions for business-to-business customers across various industries.
Lygos is a biotechnology company based in Berkeley, California, established in 2011. It focuses on developing sustainable specialty chemicals by engineering microbes to convert sugars into high-value industrial chemicals. The company targets compounds where biological production offers a cost advantage over traditional petrochemical methods. Lygos employs advanced throughput screening and strain construction techniques to optimize pathways for converting inexpensive, renewable feedstock into valuable chemicals. By replacing persistent and potentially toxic chemicals with cleaner, cost-effective alternatives, Lygos aims to provide high-performing, sustainable solutions for business-to-business customers across various industries.
Yield10 Bioscience
Grant in 2011
Yield10 Bioscience, Inc. is an agricultural bioscience company focused on developing innovative technologies to enhance crop yields in the United States and Canada. The company operates its Trait Factory to create high-value seed traits for the agriculture and food industries, with a particular emphasis on oilseed crops, including the oilseed Camelina sativa. Yield10 leverages advanced genetic engineering and synthetic biology techniques, such as gene editing and metabolic engineering, to introduce specific genetic modifications that improve the productivity and nutritional profile of crops. The company also maintains an oilseed development center in Saskatchewan, Canada, and has established research agreements with prominent industry partners, including Bayer AG and J. R. Simplot Company, to develop traits in various crops. Yield10 Bioscience was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Woburn, Massachusetts.
GC Innovation America
Grant in 2009
GC Innovation America manufactures environment-friendly biochemicals for global commercialization. Its chemicals are made from a renewable feedstock which serves as an alternative to petroleum-based products as well as includes bio-succinic acid and derivatives that are designed to integrate seamlessly into existing chemical-production processes, enabling clients to produce chemicals that are not harmful to the environment and promote sustainable development.
Solazyme is a synthetic biology company that specializes in converting algal biomass into biofuels. Solazyme not only creates biofuels for the the transportation industry, but is experimenting with ways to tailor its products for the cosmetic and food industries.
ZeaChem is focused on developing sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based fuels and chemicals, utilizing renewable biomass sources such as wood chips, wheat straw, corn stover, and grasses. The company employs a proprietary fermentation process that converts all carbon in the sugars into end products, resulting in high yields and making its products competitive with traditional fossil fuels, even without subsidies. By targeting the $1 trillion chemicals and fuels markets, ZeaChem aims to provide high-margin solutions that address environmental concerns while maintaining economic viability.
Elevance Renewable Sciences
Grant in 2009
Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc. specializes in producing and distributing specialty chemicals derived from natural plant oils through a process known as oil metathesis. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Woodridge, Illinois, the company develops a diverse range of products, including cleaning ingredients, coating materials, personal care components, and chemical intermediates for various industries such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and polymers. Elevance's offerings cater to applications in detergents, coatings, and engineered polymers, among others. In addition to its product lines, the company provides manufacturing consulting, engineering, and technical consulting services focused on bio-based feedstocks and intermediates. By transforming renewable oils into high-performance specialty products, Elevance is positioned to address consumer demand in a growing market.