Participated · Series A · Jul 2022

Phytolon develops natural food colorants through proprietary precision fermentation, producing a palette based on two core pigments—yellow and purple—that yield colors across yellow, orange, red, pink, and purple. Its portfolio includes Beetroot Red, which has received FDA approval pending procedural timing. The company emphasizes cost efficiency, robust supply, and environmental sustainability as differentiators for its fermentation-derived colors. Found in Yokne'am, Israel, Phytolon aims to commercialize its products for CPGs and distribution partners in the U.S. and beyond. Following the $23.6 million Series B, the company plans to allocate proceeds to support sales and scaling of supply and distribution.

Participated · Series A · Oct 2020

Allonnia develops selective separation solutions that enable industrial customers to eliminate pollutants and upgrade mineral resources. Its portfolio includes SAFF®, which targets PFAS treatment, and Allonnia D-Solve, a recyclable biosolution that dissolves gangue minerals to deliver cleaner, higher-value concentrates. The company is positioning D-Solve as a key tool for miners striving to improve critical-mineral recovery while reducing environmental impact. Led by CEO Nicole Richards, Allonnia plans to pilot D-Solve at its first mine site and scale commercial deployments. The firm describes its capabilities as “bio-ingenuity,” combining biology and engineering to solve complex environmental challenges. Following the latest financing, Allonnia’s total capital raised exceeds $100 million, giving it resources to accelerate go-to-market efforts and expand its technology stack.

Participated · Equity · Oct 2018

Genomatica leverages biology to remake everyday products and materials with reduced environmental impact. The company replaces widely used chemicals and materials traditionally derived from fossil fuels with plant-based alternatives. It has commercialized sustainable materials used in plastics, spandex and cosmetics, and is developing plant-based nylon, household cleaners and other products. Genomatica says its alternatives are cost-competitive, equivalent in performance and can reduce environmental impact by up to 93% compared to fossil-fuel based production. Led by CEO Christophe Schilling, the company aims to scale production across a range of industries and continue investing in new technologies to amplify the impact of sustainable materials. Genomatica recently raised funding (see deal memo) to support these plans. Genomatica is a San Diego, CA-based biotechnology company that develops bio-based process technologies to produce widely-used chemicals from alternative feedstocks. It has commercialized two processes: a biobased 1,4-butanediol (BDO) process used in biodegradable and compostable plastics and packaging, and a Brontide™ biobased butylene glycol process used in natural cosmetic and personal-care products. The company is also advancing a process to make 100% biobased nylon-6 for clothing and carpets. Genomatica partners with organism engineering firms such as Ginkgo Bioworks. The company raised $90M in equity financing to accelerate expansion of its product lines and strengthen its partnership with Ginkgo. The funds are intended to scale commercialization of existing processes and support development of new bio-based chemicals. Genomatica is a San Diego–based developer of process technologies that enable partners to produce intermediate and basic chemicals from renewable raw materials. Its core offering is economically attractive manufacturing processes intended to replace conventional petrochemical routes for chemical intermediates. The company raised $41.5 million in a Series D preferred stock financing. Management said the investment was made at a significant increase in valuation compared with a Series C-1 round announced in March 2011. New investor and partner Versalis participated alongside existing backers Alloy Ventures, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Mohr Davidow Ventures, TPG Biotech, VantagePoint Capital Partners and Waste Management. Genomatica also withdrew a registration statement for a proposed IPO filed with the SEC on Aug. 23, 2011, saying the private financing was the most attractive option for the company and its shareholders. Genomatica develops chemicals from renewable feedstocks, converting a range of sugars into industrial molecules such as Bio-BDO. Bio-BDO is positioned to replace oil- or natural-gas-derived 1,4-butanediol in spandex, automotive plastics, running shoes and other applications. The company says Bio-BDO is made from renewable sugars and that its first commercial-scale plant will be fully operational in late 2013. Genomatica will use the new financing to bring Bio-BDO to mass market and to develop additional renewable chemicals. Financially, the company has raised $85 million in venture capital to date, including the latest $45 million round. The company is based in San Diego. Genomatica develops technologies to transform chemical production through bio-manufacturing. Its flagship process targets commercial-scale production of 1,4 butanediol (BDO), a building block for high-performance polymers, solvents and fine chemicals used in clothing, cars and electronics. The company plans to accelerate development and scale-up of that BDO process. It also intends to expand its pipeline to include additional large-market chemical targets produced from renewable feedstocks. Genomatica completed an initial $15M close of its Series C funding led by TPG Biotech, with participation from existing investors Mohr Davidow Ventures, Alloy Ventures and Draper Fisher Jurvetson. The new funds will be used to support commercialization and pipeline expansion.

Participated · Series A · Sep 2017

The company will develop technologies to improve plant-associated microbes, with a major focus on enhancing microbial nitrogen fixation to make fertilizer nitrogen more available to plants. It will be co-located with Ginkgo Bioworks in Boston’s biotechnology community and in West Sacramento, California, near Bayer’s plant biologics R&D. Ginkgo will provide exclusive access to its technology, laboratory and office spaces, and will build a new facility exclusively for the company. Bayer will provide exclusive access to proprietary microbial strains and necessary development know-how. Dr. Mike Miille will serve as interim CEO, and hiring for the new company is currently underway. The board will include two representatives from Ginkgo (Dr. Jason Kelly and Dr. Reshma Shetty) and two from Bayer (Dr. Axel Bouchon and Dr. Juergen Eckhardt).