/Companies

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.

SFScott Franklin
Scott FranklinCo-founder · Chief Scientific Officer2016–2025
CDCharles Dimmler
Charles DimmlerCo-founder and CEO2016–2024Charles Dimmler is an executive with 25+ years of experience in biotechnology and sustainable materials, having led emerging growth companies and raised over $1 billion through various financing mechanisms, joint ventures, and M&A. He brings international business experience across East Asia, South America, and Western Europe, with expertise in product launches, commercial agreements, and P&L management.
JKJohn Krzywicki
John KrzywickiChief Executive OfficerJohn Krzywicki held leadership and strategy roles at Invitae, where he supported growth from approximately $5M to nearly $500M in revenue over eight years, and at RelateIQ, where he contributed to customer acquisition and positioning before the company's acquisition by Salesforce. He has also worked as a venture capitalist and management consultant.
LWLayla Ward
Layla WardChief Financial OfficerLayla Ward is CFO of Checkerspot and previously held CFO roles at software and fintech companies including Altimetrik and Ottimate/Plate IQ, where she led financial planning, capital formation, and business operations across organizations ranging from $1M to $26B in revenue.
CLCasey Lippmeier
Casey LippmeierCTOCasey Lippmeier is CTO at Checkerspot, where he leads development of microalgae-based fats and oils for food, nutrition, and specialty markets. He has previously managed cross-functional teams spanning biotechnology, clinical science, regulatory, and business development roles.
LPLeon Parker
Leon ParkerSVP, Molecular BiologyLeon Parker is Senior Vice President of Molecular Biology at Checkerspot, where he leads research on precision fermentation for specialty lipids. He brings over 20 years of experience in molecular and cell biology, strain optimization, assay development, and process development across large organizations and startups.
WRWalter Rakitsky
Walter RakitskySVP, Strategic DevelopmentWalter Rakitsky is SVP of Strategic Development at Checkerspot. He holds an MBA in Entrepreneurship from the Wharton School and has worked in food & beverage and specialty chemicals industries.
CRChris Randall
Chris RandallVP, Corporate MarketingChris Randall is VP of Corporate Marketing at Checkerspot, a microalgae fermentation company producing specialized fats and lipids for food, infant nutrition, and wellness applications. He brings experience in brand marketing, product development and commercialization, and cross-functional team leadership across B2C and B2B environments.

Board

JK
James KimBoard director
WSWalter Solomon
Walter SolomonBoard directorVenture Partner at Breakout Ventures
CMCain McClary
Cain McClaryBoard directorManaging Partner & Founder at KdT Ventures
EH
Eric HartzBoard director

Investors · 11

Also in the syndicate · 1

Godfrey Capital

Funding

SEC filings, press & company announcements

$113.3M disclosed across 5 of 6 rounds · 2018–2026

▶$27.4MraisedAug 2026 · 18 investors · Other
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • 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
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗
▶$7.6MraisedDec 2025 · 6 investors · Other
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • 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
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗
▶$40MraisedOct 2022 · 5 investors · Other
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • 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
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗
▶$32.9MraisedMay 2020 · 6 investors · Other
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • 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
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗
▶$5.4MraisedMay 2018 · 9 investors · Other
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • 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
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗

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.