• Arzeda

  Participated · Series A · Nov 2017

  Arzeda builds a protein-design platform that uses biophysics-informed AI combined with generative methods (large language and diffusion models) trained on a proprietary dataset to design enzymes and proteins. The company targets non-biomedical, industrial and consumer applications—its first product is a natural stevia-based sweetener for an unnamed consumer brand, with pipeline projects including laundry detergents for Unilever and biodegradable materials co-developed with W. L. Gore. Arzeda also handles experimental validation and manufacturing of its designs and generates revenue from both sales of proteins/enzymes and end products made with contracted partners. The firm reports a 70-person team and says it is generating revenue, with customers including Unilever, W. L. Gore, AAK and the U.S. Department of Defense. It aims to scale production of its artificial sweetener and commercialize additional enzymes while working toward corporate-EBITDA-positive performance. Arzeda is a Seattle-based protein design company that engineers proteins and enzymes to replace ingredients with a high environmental footprint. The company uses a platform that combines physics-based computational protein design, machine learning, and lab automation to design and build new molecules. It works in partnership with Fortune 500 companies and industrial leaders to develop sustainable products for food & nutrition, advanced materials, and diagnostics & pharma industries globally. Led by CEO Alexandre Zanghellini, Arzeda intends to accelerate product development and commercialization of new enzymes. The company raised new capital to fund those commercialization and product development efforts. Arzeda leverages an advanced protein design technology and a proprietary platform to design enzymes and biological pathways for commercial production. The company develops a portfolio of enzymes and specialty chemicals targeting polymers, advanced materials and health and nutrition markets. It serves global manufacturers, including DuPont, Mitsubishi Chemical and INVISTA, and works to improve crop yield and resilience. Led by co‑founder and CEO Alexandre Zanghellini, Arzeda is expanding its product development pipeline. The company will use the new funding to expand the throughput capacity of its protein design platform and advance products toward commercial production. The close of the Series A comes as Arzeda gains traction in the synthetic biology and bioeconomy markets.

• Liquid Light

  Participated · Series B · Sep 2014

  Liquid Light develops and licenses process technology to make major chemicals from low-cost, globally abundant carbon dioxide. Its first commercial process targets ethylene glycol (MEG), used to make PET-based plastic bottles. The company holds more than 100 patents and applications covering its processes. Liquid Light emerged from stealth six months prior to the article and is led by CEO Kyle Teamey. The company intends to use the new funding to complete process development at pilot scale. It believes its platform can be extended to multiple large-market chemicals including propylene, isopropanol, methyl‑methacrylate and acetic acid.

No current team members are available.