LS9 uses synthetic biology—"designer microbes" and a single-step fermentation process—to produce proprietary biofuels and chemicals that work within traditional petroleum systems. Its pilot plant in South San Francisco has been in operation for over two years, and it acquired a larger-scale production facility in Okeechobee, Florida in early 2010. The company won the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award from the U.S. EPA. A new SEC filing shows LS9 raised $30 million in a Series D, bringing total venture funding to $75 million since 2006. LS9 plans to use the $30 million to move into commercial-scale production and to support additional development and growth programs. The Series D was led by BlackRock and joined by prior investors Flagship Ventures, Khosla Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and CTTV Investments LLC. LS9 is an industrial biotechnology company applying synthetic biology to produce proprietary biofuels and high-value industrial chemicals. Its biofuels are designed to be compatible with existing fuel distribution and consumer infrastructure. The company, founded in 2005 and based in South San Francisco, CA, is pursuing the commercial development of renewable fuels and chemicals. LS9 completed a $25M round of funding. Participating investors in the round included CTTV Investments LLC (the venture capital arm of Chevron Technology Ventures LLC), Flagship Ventures, Khosla Ventures and Lightspeed Venture Partners. Stephen del Cardayre, Vice President, Research and Development, said the funding will accelerate the company's ability to demonstrate commercial-level production.

Total raised

$55M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Series D

Latest activity

Dec 2010