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§ Private Profile · San Diego, CA, USA
Biotechnology company developing and licensing processes for sustainable bio-based chemicals from plant and waste feedstocks.
Based in San Diego, California, Genomatica develops and licenses biological manufacturing processes that utilize biotechnology to produce sustainable intermediate chemicals from plant-based and waste-based feedstocks. The enterprise engineers proprietary microorganisms to replace traditional fossil fuels in the commercial production of high-volume industrial materials, including bio-based 1,4-butanediol and plant-based nylon-6. Operating primarily on a technology licensing business model, the firm enables global chemical companies to scale sustainable production for the cosmetics, personal care, and apparel markets. Genomatica has secured strategic partnerships, joint ventures, and direct corporate investments from several major multinational organizations, including L'Oréal, Unilever, and lululemon. Although specific financial metrics such as total funding and enterprise valuation remain undisclosed, the company actively scales its commercial footprint alongside global manufacturing partners such as BASF. Genomatica was founded in 1998 by Christophe Schilling and Bernhard Palsson.
Genomatica has raised $309.5M across 5 funding rounds.
Genomatica has raised $309.5M in total across 5 funding rounds.
Genomatica has raised $309.5M across 5 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $118.0M Series C in July 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 27, 2021 | $118M Series C | Anders Spohr | — | Announced |
| Oct 5, 2018 | $90M Venture Round | ELI Casdin | Jason Kelly, Viking Global Investors | Announced |
| Aug 6, 2012 | $41.5M Series D | — | Alloy Ventures, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Mohr Davidow Ventures, TPG Biotech, VantagePoint Capital Partners, Daniele Ferrari, Waste Management | Announced |
| Mar 1, 2011 | $45M Venture Round | VantagePoint Capital Partners | Alloy Ventures, Bright Capital, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Mohr Davidow Ventures, TPG Biotech, Waste Management | Announced |
| Apr 1, 2010 | $15M Series C | TPG Biotech | Mohr Davidow Ventures, Alloy Ventures, Draper Fisher Jurvetson | Announced |
Genomatica is a San Diego-based biotechnology company that develops and licenses bio-based process technologies to produce sustainable chemicals from renewable feedstocks like plant sugars, replacing fossil fuel-derived alternatives.[1][2][5] It serves major brands in textiles, cosmetics, automotive, and plastics by enabling drop-in replacements for chemicals like 1,4-butanediol (BDO) and butylene glycol, solving the problem of high carbon emissions in chemical manufacturing—its processes reduce emissions by up to 90-93% while matching performance and economics.[3][4][6] Key products include commercialized GENO™ Bio-BDO for spandex and plastics, bio-nylon in development with partners like Lululemon, and sustainable ingredients for personal care via investments from L'Oréal, Unilever, and Kao.[1][2][4] Growth momentum includes a $118M Series C in 2021 led by Novo Holdings, global licensing deals with BASF and Novamont, and scaling production across the US, EU, and Asia.[1][3][4]
Genomatica was founded in 1998 (with formal incorporation in 2000) in San Diego by Christophe Schilling (current Co-Founder, President & CEO) and Bernhard Palsson, driven by Schilling's vision to leverage biotechnology for sustainable manufacturing and reduce reliance on petroleum-based chemicals.[1][2][3] The idea emerged from applying metabolic engineering to create microbes that produce high-value chemicals like bio-BDO directly from sugars, addressing inefficiencies in traditional petrochemical processes.[3] Early traction came with the commercialization of its GENO BDO process in 2016 at Novamont's plant in Italy, followed by production of 5 million pounds at a DuPont Tate & Lyle facility in Tennessee, and licensing to BASF.[1][6] Pivotal moments include 2021 partnerships like Lululemon for plant-based nylon (launched 2023) and a Waste Management deal for syngas-to-chemicals, plus 2023 investments from beauty giants to expand into cosmetics.[1][3]
Genomatica rides the materials transition trend toward bio-based, circular economies, capitalizing on global decarbonization mandates and consumer demand for sustainable products in a $4T chemicals market dominated by fossil fuels.[4][5] Timing aligns with rising ESG pressures, supply chain disruptions, and policies like EU Green Deal, favoring its 90% emission reductions and renewable sourcing amid volatile oil prices.[1][6] Market forces include brand commitments (e.g., Lululemon's nylon, L'Oréal's cosmetics) and investments signaling biotech's edge over petrochemicals for scalability.[1][4] It influences the ecosystem by licensing tech to incumbents (BASF), fostering regenerative agriculture via sugar feedstocks, and proving biotech viability for high-volume chemicals, accelerating industry-wide shifts to plant/waste-based materials.[3][5]
Genomatica is poised to expand its pipeline—scaling bio-nylon, household cleaners, and syngas processes—targeting 85M+ tons annual carbon avoidance through more licensing in Asia and beauty/textiles.[2][4][5] Trends like regenerative supply chains, AI-optimized metabolic engineering, and corporate net-zero goals will propel growth, potentially via IPO or acquisition as sustainability monetizes. Its influence could evolve from niche innovator to ecosystem enabler, redefining chemical production as Genomatica leads the biotech charge for planet-friendly everyday materials.[1][5]
Genomatica has raised $309.5M in total across 5 funding rounds.
Genomatica's investors include Anders Spohr, Eli Casdin, Jason Kelly, Viking Global Investors, Alloy Ventures, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Mohr Davidow Ventures, TPG Biotech, VantagePoint Capital Partners, Daniele Ferrari, Waste Management, Bright Capital.