• Rivertop Renewables

  Participated · Equity · Apr 2014

  Rivertop Renewables is a Missoula, Montana–based producer of novel chemicals made from renewable feedstocks, specifically salts of glucaric acid derived from plant sugars. Its technology converts a range of sugars and sugar alcohols into corresponding sugar acids, enabling access to multiple end markets. The company intends to use the $26M in funding to scale the platform and begin commercial production, completing construction and starting operations at a semi-works facility at its Missoula headquarters. Rivertop plans to hire more than 20 employees in the next 12 months to support commercial development. Its initial commercial focus is on dishwasher detergent and corrosion inhibitor markets, while exploring additional opportunities in home and personal care, oil and gas, building and infrastructure, agriculture and food. The company is led by CEO Mike Knauf. Rivertop Renewables develops renewable chemicals with initial products that are salts of glucaric acid serving as cost-competitive replacements for phosphates in the global detergent market and for corrosion and scale inhibition. The company is led by President Jere Kolstad and is commercializing sustainable, bio-based detergent builders and corrosion inhibitors. It intends to use the funding to continue commercialization and to expand facilities for continued research and development and pre-commercial production. Longer-term opportunities in its research include advanced biodegradable polymers, adhesives, and other functional materials. In conjunction with the investment, Cultivian Co-Founder and Principal Ron Meeusen will join Rivertop’s board. Cultivian Ventures is a venture fund focused on high-technology opportunities in the food and agricultural sectors.

No current team members are available.