Participated · Series A · Feb 2025

Vivici develops functional dairy protein ingredients through precision fermentation, marketing them under its Vivitein™ platform. Its first commercial ingredient is Vivitein™ BLG (beta-lactoglobulin), and it has launched Vivitein™ LF (lactoferrin) in the U.S. with self-affirmed GRAS status. The company says customer demand for its ingredients is strong and that the recent funding will allow it to scale supply and market access. Founded in 2023, Vivici plans to use new capital to accelerate innovation and commercialization of its precision-fermented proteins. No revenue or user metrics were disclosed in the articles.

Participated · Equity · May 2024

Metrovate is a New Zealand agritech startup developing precision biostimulants that target crop-specific growth responses while minimizing off-target impacts. Founder and chief scientific officer Nikolai Macnee combines molecular biology with machine learning to isolate natural signalling molecules for targeted, biodegradable plant-growth formulations. The company operates a purpose-built lab in the Newmarket Innovation Precinct at the University of Auckland. Current work focuses on validating efficacy, refining an initial targeted product, and conducting further field trials and R&D ahead of commercial scale-up. Metrovate positions its platform as a way to improve crop resilience, speed recovery, and raise yields while reducing reliance on fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides.

Led · Equity · Jun 2023

Whole Biome is building clinically validated probiotic interventions that use specific microbial strains to restore missing elements of a person’s gut flora. Its proprietary bioinformatics platform analyzes microbiome sequencing data across diverse populations to identify beneficial bacteria that are absent or depleted in targeted diseases. The company’s lead product focuses on managing Type 2 diabetes by releasing tailored probiotics that reduce post-meal glucose spikes, and it has already completed double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials showing efficacy without the side effects common to existing diabetes drugs. Funds from the latest raise will be used to launch this diabetes management product, which is slated for release in early 2020. Co-founder and CEO Colleen Cutcliffe, formerly of Pacific Biosciences, leads a multidisciplinary team spanning research, development and commercialization. Backers such as Sequoia and Khosla praise the startup’s integrated approach to microbiome biology. Including the new capital, Whole Biome has secured a total of $57 million in funding to date.

Participated · Series B · Apr 2020

YFood offers complete food solutions in the form of ready-to-drink meals, bars and powdered shakes formulated to contain all essential micro- and macronutrients. The company sells its products online and through retail channels. It currently serves over 200,000 online customers, is available at more than 13,000 retail outlets and has over 70 employees. YFood is generating multi-million euros in revenue per month and is profitable in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The company has launched in the UK and intends to use new funding to increase its presence across key European markets. YFood was co-founded by Ben Kremer and Noël Bollmann and is based in Munich, Germany. YFood Labs develops a ready-to-drink meal beverage positioned as an alternative to junk food for busy consumers. The company was founded in 2017 by Noël Bollmann and Benjamin Kremer. YFood reports selling over 2 million bottles to thousands of customers across more than 25 countries, through its online channel and over 6,000 physical points of sale. The product is distributed both online and via extensive retail placement. Management plans to use new funding to expand operations and increase business reach in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The article does not disclose revenue or other financial metrics beyond unit sales and distribution reach.

Participated · Series A · Feb 2019

Motif FoodWorks is a Boston-based food technology company led by CEO Jonathan McIntyre that aims to make plant-based foods taste better and be more nutritious. Originally spun out of Ginkgo Bioworks in 2019, the company develops ingredients and technologies for plant-based cheese and meat applications. It has secured licensing partnerships with the University of Guelph and Coasun Inc. for technologies that create melting and stretching characteristics in plant-based cheeses, and for fat alternatives that marbleize plant-based meats. The company recently opened a 10,600 sq. ft. office and lab in Boston's Seaport neighborhood. Motif raised $226M in a Series B to expand research and development, scale and commercialize its technologies, and grow its people and facilities footprint. The funding is intended to accelerate commercialization of its product portfolio and support expansion efforts. Motif Ingredients, now operating as Motif FoodWorks, is an ingredients innovation company focused on discovering ingredients that improve human health and animal welfare while reducing the environmental impact of animal agriculture. The company is based in Boston, MA. It announced $27.5M in funding and a rebrand to Motif FoodWorks. With the new funding, Motif plans to add to and accelerate its product pipeline, expand academic collaborations across molecular food science disciplines, scale its science and regulatory staff, and deepen its research and development efforts. The company recently added three senior management hires: Janet Collins as Head of Regulatory, Government and Industry Affairs; Julie Post-Smith as Director of Business Development; and Morgan Keim as Business Development Manager. Jon McIntyre serves as CEO. Motif Ingredients is a Ginkgo Bioworks spinoff focused on developing proteins via biotechnology and fermentation to serve as meat and dairy replacements. The company aims to produce affordable, sustainable ingredients for food and beverage brands, chefs, and consumers. Ginkgo will retain a minority stake and provide engineering, design, and initial R&D support on roughly six to nine product lines. Motif will pay Ginkgo cost plus a slight overhead for ingredients and manufacturing services. Jonathan McIntyre, a longtime food-and-beverage R&D veteran, is leading the company. Motif began forming around February–March 2018 and plans to bring its first products to market within the next two years. The company has raised financing to accelerate development and commercialization.