Participated · Seed · Aug 2023

Cascade Bio’s core technology, branded as Body Armor for Enzymes, uses affordable, scalable materials to protect enzymes from early degradation and extend their useful lifespan from hours to months. The company deploys these fortified enzymes in cell-free systems, aiming to simplify scale-up, speed reaction rates, reduce purification steps, and lower manufacturing costs compared with microbial-host approaches. Cascade has applied its stabilization platform to more than thirty distinct enzymes and reports a consistent track record of improved durability. Early partnerships with chemical, flavor and fragrance companies, food-ingredient manufacturers, and pharmaceutical firms have demonstrated integration into existing processes and meaningful cost savings. The founding team brings expertise from Zymergen, Stanford, and the University of Colorado Boulder, supporting technical development and commercial collaboration. Headquartered in Denver with satellite teams in California and New York, Cascade plans to accelerate the transition from petrochemical processes to enzyme-driven manufacturing. Cascade Biocatalysts has developed a patent-pending Body Armor for Enzymes™ technology that improves enzyme performance and longevity to enable cost-effective, cell-free biomanufacturing. The company reports working on 15 different enzymes and achieving 100% success at improving stability under industrial conditions, including multiple paying customers at the lab scale. Initial projects target applications such as carbon dioxide capture, fragrance manufacturing, and wastewater treatment, demonstrating broad commercial potential. Cascade plans to scale its technology from the lab bench to pilot scale and support an initial wave of customers. The founders, Alex Rosay and James Weltz, combine chemical engineering backgrounds and industry experience; James invented the technology during his PhD. Headquartered in Denver, the company also has a presence in California and New York.