/Companies

Benson Hill Biosystems

Durham, US · Founded 2012 · Delaware corporation · 11 known investors

Find your way into Benson Hill Biosystems

51 people in our graph share verified history with the Benson Hill Biosystems team — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.

Michael Huttenunlockedknows Lee Palles · together at Hatteras (overlapped)
×3knows the team · via Hatteras
knows the team · via Carolina Capital Markets
knows the team · via Global Software
×6knows the team · via Benson Hill Biosystems

Confluence Genetics (operating at bensonhillbio.com) is a seed innovation company that develops soybean genetics using AI-driven plant science and proprietary tools such as eMERGE Genetics and CropOS. Its VIA product platforms include ProVIA high-protein soybeans for animal feed, FortaVIA high-oleic soybeans for dairy nutrition and food oils, and NutraVIA food-grade soybeans for specialty domestic and export markets.

Founders & leadership

Benson Hill Biosystems was founded in 2012 by Matthew B Crisp.

MB
Matthew B CrispFounder
LPLee Palles
Lee PallesCFO2013–2018Lee Palles has held executive leadership positions in life sciences, alternative energy, financial services, clinical research, software, data networks, and public accounting, with prior roles spanning CEO, finance, operations, and sales. He serves as an executive officer at Benson Hill Biosystems, which develops soybean genetics using AI-driven plant science.
NC
Nadine CarozziExecutive
TC
Todd C MocklerNamed on SEC filing
TB
Thomas BrutnellNamed on SEC filing

Board

DJ
Daniel J BroderickBoard director
BA
Bruce A JamersonBoard director
WP
Walter P SiggelkoBoard director
GB
Gregg BogosianBoard director

Investors · 11

Also in the syndicate · 1

Tao Capital Partners

Reported raises · per SEC filings

Form D private placements

$289.9M disclosed across 6 rounds · 2014–2020

▶$159.1MraisedDec 2020 · 21 investors · Other Technology
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • Rebecca A BortolottiExecutive Officer
  • Andy WheelerDirector
  • DeAnn L BruntsDirector
  • Matthew B CrispExecutive Officer, Director
  • Natalie DiNicolaExecutive Officer
  • Chris C WilkinsExecutive Officer
  • Michael B WainscottExecutive Officer
  • Mark G CuptaDirector
  • Stephan DolezalekDirector
  • Adrienne D ElsnerDirector
  • Michelle J GloecklerDirector
  • Daniel JacobiDirector
  • Sanjeev KrishnanDirector
Offering amount
$159.1M
Amount sold
$159.1M
Sales commissions
$6.1M
Placement agents
Wedbush Securities Inc., William Blair & Company L.L.C., Lazard Freres & Co. LLC
First sale
Jul 2020
Incorporated
Corporation, Delaware
Federal exemptions
06b
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗
▶$32.6MraisedAug 2019 · 17 investors · Other Technology
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • Mark G CuptaDirector
  • Daniel M WatkinsDirector
  • Daniel JacobiDirector
  • Michael WainscottExecutive Officer
  • Matthew B CrispExecutive Officer, Director
  • Nadine CarozziExecutive Officer
  • Andy WheelerDirector
  • Adrienne D ElsnerDirector
  • Michelle J GloecklerDirector
  • Sanjeev KrishnanDirector
Offering amount
$32.6M
Amount sold
$32.6M
First sale
May 2019
Incorporated
Corporation, Delaware
Federal exemptions
06b
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗
▶$65MraisedNov 2018 · 23 investors · Other Technology
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • Dan JacobiDirector
  • Matthew B CrispExecutive Officer, Director
  • Michael WainscottExecutive Officer
  • Andy WheelerDirector
  • Mark G CuptaDirector
  • Dan WatkinsDirector
  • Nadine CarozziExecutive Officer
Offering amount
$65M
Amount sold
$65M
First sale
Aug 2018
Incorporated
Corporation, Delaware
Federal exemptions
06b
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗
▶$25.1MraisedMay 2017 · 16 investors · Other Technology
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • Dan WatkinsDirector
  • Nadine CarozziExecutive Officer
  • Mark CuptaDirector
  • David RussellDirector
  • Scott R HornerDirector
  • Matthew B CrispExecutive Officer, Director
  • Lee N PallesExecutive Officer
  • Thomas B KlevornDirector
  • Dan JacobiDirector
Offering amount
$25.1M
Amount sold
$25.1M
Minimum investment
$50K
First sale
Mar 2017
Incorporated
Corporation, Delaware, 2012
Federal exemptions
06b
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗
▶$7.3MraisedAug 2015 · 10 investors · Other Technology
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • Daniel J BroderickDirector
  • Bruce A JamersonDirector
  • Lee PallesExecutive Officer
  • Matthew B CrispExecutive Officer, Director
  • Nadine CarozziExecutive Officer
  • Todd C MocklerExecutive Officer
  • Thomas BrutnellExecutive Officer
  • Walter P SiggelkoDirector
  • Gregg BogosianDirector
Offering amount
$8.5M
Amount sold
$7.3M
Minimum investment
$50K
First sale
Aug 2015
Incorporated
Corporation, Delaware, 2012
Federal exemptions
06b
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗
▶$800KraisedSep 2014 · 4 investors · Other Technology
Rule 506(c)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • Gregg BogosianDirector
  • Bruce A JamersonDirector
  • Matthew B CrispExecutive Officer, Director
  • Todd C MocklerExecutive Officer
  • Walter P SiggelkoDirector
  • Lee PallesExecutive Officer
  • Nadine CarozziExecutive Officer
  • Thomas BrutnellExecutive Officer
  • Daniel J BroderickDirector
Offering amount
$1M
Amount sold
$800K
Minimum investment
$40K
First sale
Apr 2014
Incorporated
Corporation, North Carolina, 2012
Federal exemptions
06c
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗

Source: SEC EDGAR Form D. Amounts as filed; amended filings shown once at their latest values.

Non-dilutive funding · 5 SBIR/STTR awards

Federal grants — no equity taken
AgencyPhaseYearAmount
Department of Agriculture (USDA)Phase I2018$99.9K
Department of Agriculture (USDA)Phase I2018$99.8K
National Science FoundationPhase ISTTR2014$224.2K
Department of Agriculture (USDA)Phase I2014$99K
National Science FoundationPhase ISTTR2013$223.5K

Source: SBIR.gov award data (U.S. Small Business Administration). SBIR/STTR awards are competitive federal R&D grants and contracts — non-dilutive capital alongside any venture rounds above.

Frequently asked questions

What does Benson Hill Biosystems do?
Confluence Genetics (operating at bensonhillbio.com) is a seed innovation company that develops soybean genetics using AI-driven plant science and proprietary tools such as eMERGE Genetics and CropOS. Its VIA product platforms include ProVIA high-protein soybeans for animal feed, FortaVIA high-oleic soybeans for dairy nutrition and food oils, and NutraVIA food-grade soybeans for specialty domestic and export markets.
Who founded Benson Hill Biosystems?
Benson Hill Biosystems was founded by Matthew B Crisp in 2012.
Who are Benson Hill Biosystems's investors?
Benson Hill Biosystems's investors include Activant Capital, Alexandria, Fall Line Capital, GV (Google Ventures), iSelect Fund, Lewis & Clark Ventures, Mercury Fund, Missouri Technology Corporation and 2 more.
How much funding has Benson Hill Biosystems raised?
Benson Hill Biosystems has disclosed $289.9M raised across 6 rounds.
Where is Benson Hill Biosystems headquartered?
Benson Hill Biosystems is headquartered in Durham, US.