Checkerspot
Alameda, US · Founded 2016 · Delaware corporation · 69 employees on LinkedIn · 11 known investors
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Checkerspot uses microalgae precision fermentation to produce specialized lipids and fats, including a bio-equivalent source of the sn-2 palmitate fat found in mother's milk, rare bioactive fatty acids, and tropical fat alternatives. Its ingredients serve the food, infant nutrition, and health and wellness markets, with partnerships aimed at scaling and commercializing these fats and oils.
Founders & leadership
Checkerspot was founded in 2016 by Scott Franklin and Charles Dimmler.







Board


Investors · 11
How we know: the VCSheet dataset · open dataset · 5k.vc investor directory · Not right? Tell us
How we know: Breakout Ventures's portfolio page · board seat on SEC Form D · prnewswire.com · the VCSheet dataset · open dataset · 5k.vc investor directory · Not right? Tell us
How we know: open dataset · 5k.vc investor directory · Not right? Tell us
How we know: Viking Global's portfolio page · Not right? Tell us
How we know: a partner's Signal profile · funding news · prnewswire.com · Not right? Tell us
How we know: a partner's Signal profile · board seat on SEC Form D · funding news · prnewswire.com · the VCSheet dataset · Not right? Tell us
How we know: prnewswire.com · Not right? Tell us
How we know: the VCSheet dataset · open dataset · 5k.vc investor directory · Not right? Tell us
How we know: prnewswire.com · Not right? Tell us
Also in the syndicate · 1
Funding
SEC filings, press & company announcements$113.3M disclosed across 5 of 6 rounds · 2018–2026
- Undisclosed amountSeries AApr 2019
Builders VC (lead), Breakout Ventures, Godfrey Capital, KdT Ventures, Plug and Play Ventures, Sahsen Ventures, Viking Global Investors
Source ↗
▶$27.4MraisedAug 2026 · 18 investors · OtherRule 506(b)
- Walter SolomonDirector
- John KrzywickiExecutive Officer, Director
- Layla WardExecutive Officer
- Eric HartzDirector
- Offering amount
- $41.7M
- Amount sold
- $27.4M
- First sale
- Jul 2026
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
▶$7.6MraisedDec 2025 · 6 investors · OtherRule 506(b)
- James KimDirector
- John KrzywickiExecutive Officer, Director
- Eric HartzDirector
- Layla WardExecutive Officer
- Walter SolomonDirector
- Offering amount
- $10M
- Amount sold
- $7.6M
- First sale
- Nov 2025
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
▶$40MraisedOct 2022 · 5 investors · OtherRule 506(b)
- David GreenwoodDirector
- Scott FranklinExecutive Officer, Director
- Walter SolomonDirector
- Charles DimmlerExecutive Officer, Director
- James KimDirector
- Julia MooreDirector
- Offering amount
- $100M
- Amount sold
- $40M
- Sales commissions
- $975K
- Placement agents
- Allen & Company LLC
- First sale
- Sep 2022
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
▶$32.9MraisedMay 2020 · 6 investors · OtherRule 506(b)
- James KimDirector
- David GreenwoodDirector
- Scott FranklinExecutive Officer, Director
- Andrew Cain McClaryDirector
- Charles DimmlerExecutive Officer, Director
- Offering amount
- $50M
- Amount sold
- $32.9M
- First sale
- May 2020
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware, 2016
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
▶$5.4MraisedMay 2018 · 9 investors · OtherRule 506(b)
- Scott FranklinExecutive Officer, Director
- Cain McClaryDirector
- Charles DimmlerExecutive Officer, Director
- Offering amount
- $6.5M
- Amount sold
- $5.4M
- First sale
- Apr 2018
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware, 2016
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
Source: SEC EDGAR Form D. Amounts as filed; amended filings shown once at their latest values.
Founder mafia
2 people who came through Checkerspot went on to found or lead other companies.
In the news
Frequently asked questions
- What does Checkerspot do?
- Checkerspot uses microalgae precision fermentation to produce specialized lipids and fats, including a bio-equivalent source of the sn-2 palmitate fat found in mother's milk, rare bioactive fatty acids, and tropical fat alternatives. Its ingredients serve the food, infant nutrition, and health and wellness markets, with partnerships aimed at scaling and commercializing these fats and oils.
- Who founded Checkerspot?
- Checkerspot was founded by Scott Franklin, Charles Dimmler in 2016.
- Who are Checkerspot's investors?
- Checkerspot's investors include Baruch Future Ventures, Breakout Ventures, Cavallo Ventures, Viking Global, Builders VC, KdT Ventures, Plug and Play Ventures, Refactor Capital and 2 more.
- How much funding has Checkerspot raised?
- Checkerspot has disclosed $113.3M raised across 5 of its 6 known rounds.
- Where is Checkerspot headquartered?
- Checkerspot is headquartered in Alameda, US.






