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Cradle

Amsterdam, NL · Founded 2021 · 132 employees on LinkedIn · 3 known investors

Cradle uses AI to help scientists design and engineer proteins, decoding and rewriting biology to develop new food sources, materials, and therapeutics. It serves research scientists and offers models validated in its own lab before delivery to customers.

AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep TechEnterprise Software

Founders & leadership

Cradle was founded in 2021 by Stef van Grieken, Eli Bixby, and Jelle Prins.

SVStef van Grieken
Stef van GriekeninCo-Founder & CEOStef van Grieken previously worked as a Senior Product Manager for Google AI (Brain), leading large teams and projects across Europe and the United States with expertise in machine learning, mapping, operating systems, and transportation. He is the founder of Cradle, which combines AI and wet lab validation to help scientists design proteins for applications ranging from therapeutics to sustainable materials.
EB
Eli BixbyFounder
JP
Jelle PrinsFounder

Board

CF
Claus Fuglsang CroneChief Scientific Officer, Novonesis

Investors · 3

Index Ventures✓ verifiedSan Francisco · $540K – $10.8M
IVP (Institutional Venture Partners)San Francisco · $15M – $75M
Kindred CapitalLondon

Funding

SEC filings, press & company announcements

Source: company announcements and press reports — follow each round's link for the claim.

Founder mafia

2 people who came through Cradle went on to found or lead other companies.

Eric LiawInvestorFounded SageLeila ZegnaBoard DirectorFounded Kindred

Competitors · 1

by search overlap
Until Labs7 shared keywordsUntil develops reversible cryopreservation systems for human donor organs, translating cryobiology into engineered workflows across perfusion, cryoprotectants, cooling, rewarming, and organ-health assessment. The technology aims to prevent ice formation during vitrification and address the donor organ procurement and matching problem.

Companies competing with Cradle for the same Google search keywords, organic and paid, via search-intersection analysis.

In the news

Malaysia's Cradle Fund opens registration for startup summit, targets growth opportunities, investment trends - TNGlobaltechnode.global · Aug 2026Cradle Fund launches $2.53M elevate & startup accelerator program to spur early-stage growth - TNGlobaltechnode.global · Apr 2026Cradle raises US$73 million | S-GEs-ge.com · Nov 2025Cradle Raises $73M for Gen-AI Protein Engineeringbiopharmatrend.com · Nov 2024Cradle raises $24M in Series A funding for Generative AI biotech platform - Tech Startupstechstartups.com · Nov 2023Cradle Raises $5.5M in Fundingfinsmes.com · Nov 2022

Frequently asked questions

What does Cradle do?
Cradle uses AI to help scientists design and engineer proteins, decoding and rewriting biology to develop new food sources, materials, and therapeutics. It serves research scientists and offers models validated in its own lab before delivery to customers.
Who founded Cradle?
Cradle was founded by Stef van Grieken, Eli Bixby, Jelle Prins in 2021.
Who are Cradle's investors?
Cradle's investors include Index Ventures, IVP (Institutional Venture Partners), Kindred Capital.
Where is Cradle headquartered?
Cradle is headquartered in Amsterdam, NL.