Cascade Biocatalysts, a Denver-based biomanufacturing firm, has successfully raised an oversubscribed $2.6M pre-seed funding round. The round was led by Ten VC and saw participation from Amplify.LA, Boost VC, Range Ventures, Spacecadet, and the Cool Climate Collective. The company’s primary goal is to make the industrial application of enzymes more affordable, thereby facilitating a shift to greener chemical manufacturing processes.
Key Highlights
- Cascade’s proprietary technology, the patent-pending Body Armor for Enzymes™, enhances enzyme performance, leading to more cost-effective and sustainable chemical reactions.
- The company’s technology has been applied to 15 different enzymes, showing improved stability under challenging industrial conditions.
- Cascade’s projects cover a range of applications, including CO2 capture, fragrance manufacturing, and wastewater treatment, underlining the vast commercial potential of biocatalysts.
- Co-founders Alex Rosay and James Weltz combine their expertise in chemical engineering, industry knowledge, and innovative science to drive the company’s vision.
Source: Business Wire
Notable Quotes
- “When I developed our novel approach, I transformed immobilizing enzymes from a trial-and-error process into an engineering discipline.” – James Weltz, Chief Scientific Officer, Cascade Biocatalysts
- “From my time as a product manager at Zymergen, I saw a billion dollars go towards precision fermentation unsuccessfully, and I realized cell-free and enzyme processes were the future of the industry, though too expensive today. James’s technology solves this.” – Alex Rosay, CEO, Cascade Biocatalysts
SoH's Take
- Cascade Biocatalysts’ emphasis on making enzyme use in industries more affordable is a significant step towards sustainable and green chemical manufacturing. Their proprietary technology could potentially disrupt traditional chemical manufacturing processes.
- The oversubscribed pre-seed funding round indicates strong investor confidence in Cascade’s vision and approach. As industries increasingly look for sustainable alternatives, Cascade’s solutions could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of green chemistry.
