The Venture Codex

Participated · Seed · Sep 2022

Prolific Machines develops a photomolecular biology platform that leverages optogenetics, proprietary hardware, and AI to deliver precise, light-driven control of cellular processes across cell types. The company positions its technology for biomanufacturing applications ranging from nutritional proteins to lifesaving biologics and novel biosolutions. With support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Prolific will apply its platform to demonstrate lower-cost production of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) aimed at preventing infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV, and RSV in low- and middle-income countries. The effort targets reduced cost per dose and improved product quality to expand access in regions where mAbs are currently unaffordable. Prolific says successful methods could be readily applied to other unmet medical needs and enable broad implementation in vulnerable populations. The company is based in Emeryville, Calif., and is supported by investors including The Ki Tua Fund (Fonterra’s corporate venture arm), Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Mayfield, SOSV, In-Q-Tel, and others. The Gates Foundation grant amount was not disclosed in the announcement. Prolific Machines builds a photomolecular/optogenetic platform that leverages light-sensitive proteins and genetic methods to manipulate cellular activity. The company targets biomanufacturing applications across pharmaceuticals and cultivated meat to improve efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and product quality. Its approach uses precise light signals to steer cellular behavior, emphasizing precision engineering and scalability. Environmental sustainability is cited as a core goal of their platform and processes. The company announced a $55 million Series B1 round led by the Ki Tua Fund, reflecting investor backing for commercialization. The articles reference both California and Kirkland, Washington as locations and mention founding years of 2016 and 2020 in different places within the coverage. Prolific Machines is inventing scalable biomanufacturing technology to grow and differentiate stem cells at dramatically lower cost relative to conventional methods, with an initial focus on cultured meat. Unlike other cultured meat companies, Prolific prioritizes inventing the scalable manufacturing process first and aims to enable an assembly line for biology that could be made available to other meat companies. The company says its approach can grow and control cells without the need for recombinant proteins, reducing one of the most expensive inputs in cell production. The founding team includes CEO and co-founder Dr. Deniz Kent, co-founder Dr. Max Huisman, and machine‑learning engineer Declan Jones; Kent conceived the idea after witnessing the Syrian refugee crisis in Antioch, Turkey. Prolific is building a 25,000 square foot HQ in Emeryville and is ramping up hiring to expand its assembly line programs across fish, poultry, and beef. Financially, the company announced massively oversubscribed Seed and Series A financings totaling $42M, and was incubated and pre-seeded by IndieBio (SOSV).

Participated · Equity · Jan 2022

Omni develops a range of plant-based, vet-formulated dog foods, treats, supplements, dental sticks, shampoos and calming products using novel proteins from yeast, algae and pulses. The company sells dry foods and wet-style meals, training treats, and a portfolio of supplements addressing skin, breath, gut health and weight management. Omni is commercial and growing quickly—founders Guy Sandelowsky and Shiv Sivakumar say annualised sales rose from about £1M to close to £13M and the brand has helped more than 300,000 dogs, with a 130% sales lift and 20,000 new customers after its Dragons’ Den appearance. It is developing LeanPaws, an Ozempic-style weight-loss supplement for dogs; a placebo-controlled trial reported 77% of overweight dogs taking LeanPaws lost some weight, 63% reduced body fat composition, and 42% showed fewer begging behaviors with virtually no side effects. Omni highlights the lower carbon footprint of its recipes—about 73% fewer emissions than standard meat-based dog food—and cites avoided customer CO2e contributions over time. The company plans to use new funding to scale UK retail presence, enter the US market, continue clinical research, and expand the team.

Participated · Seed · Aug 2021

Melt&Marble is a Gothenburg-based biotech company that uses advanced microbial engineering and precision fermentation to produce fats without relying on animal or plant sources. Its technology custom-designs lipid profiles, aiming to deliver cost-competitive, locally produced ingredients that satisfy both performance and sustainability requirements. The company targets food and personal-care manufacturers, positioning its fats as functional replacements for conventional animal or tropical oils. Melt&Marble emphasizes scalability, planning to expand production capacity and launch its first commercial ingredients following its new financing. Management states that its approach can meet strict technical specifications while reducing environmental impact. Over the past year the company has secured €10 million in combined equity and non-dilutive funding, strengthening its financial footing for upcoming pilots and go-to-market efforts.

Participated · Seed · Nov 2020

VEAT designs and operates vegan vending machines that dispense locally made, plant-based meals heated on demand. Its initial kiosks are launching in Stockholm, with menu items such as a rich tomato stew with Swedish pulse-based mince and barbecued jackfruit; the company plans to add Swedish plant-based meatballs at some point. VEAT aims to shift snacking toward healthier options (side salads, wraps) and positions its contactless kiosks as a safe alternative amid COVID-19. Unsold food from its kiosks is donated to local charities, and the company is exploring dynamic 'surge pricing' to reduce food waste. The startup plans to roll out about 10 vending machines in Stockholm before the end of the year and to expand to other European cities in 2021. To fuel that growth it closed a pre-seed funding round of close to $600,000.

Participated · Seed · Jan 2020

Stockeld Dreamery develops plant-based cheeses using fermented legumes as its core protein. Its first product, Stockeld Chunk, launched in May and is made from fermented pea and fava; it contains 13% protein and has a feta-like look and feel. The team tested over 1,000 iterations to arrive at Chunk and is developing spreadable and melting cheeses expected to reach market within the next 12 months. The company was founded in 2019 and began with four employees; it has grown to 23 and plans to reach 50 by the end of next year. Including the latest round, Stockeld has raised just over $24 million to date. The new funding will be used for R&D, to build a pilot plant, move into a new Stockholm headquarters next year, and to expand beyond Sweden into the U.S.