Fundraising Fox

Industrial Microbes

YC W15

San Francisco, US · Founded 2014 · 12 employees · 4 known investors

iMicrobes uses synthetic biology to develop cost-effective sustainable materials and replace conventional manufacturing processes. The company focuses on circular economy principles, converting waste streams into value through biotechnology.

BiotechCircular EconomyCleantechClimate TechHealthtechNew MaterialsCarbon Capture and RemovalBioplasticClimateUnited States of AmericaAmerica / CanadaPartly Remote

Founders & leadership· Y Combinator alumni (W15)

Industrial Microbes was founded in 2014 by Derek Greenfield, Liz Clarke, and Noah Helman.

DGDerek Greenfield
Derek GreenfieldinFounder/CEO
LCLiz Clarke
Liz ClarkeinFounder and CTO
NHNoah Helman
Noah Helmanin𝕏Founder/CSO

Investors · 4

First Bight VenturesHouston · $1M – $2M
JuniperClarksville · $100K – $1.5M
Y CombinatorSan Francisco · $500K
Universal Materials Incubatorreported

Funding

SEC filings, press & company announcements
  • Undisclosed amountSeed RoundNov 2024 · 2 sources
    Source ↗

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

Competitors · 1

by search overlap
Intechopen7 shared keywordsIntechOpen is an open access publisher of books and open science journals covering science, technology, and medicine, serving academics and researchers across interdisciplinary fields. It also operates a book series model with editorial-board-led topics and a custom manuscript submission and peer review platform.

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

Non-dilutive funding · 7 SBIR/STTR awards

Federal grants — no equity taken
AgencyPhaseYearAmount
Department of EnergyPhase II2019$1.1M
Department of EnergyPhase I2018$150K
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)Phase II2016$300K
Department of EnergyPhase I2016$150K
Department of Agriculture (USDA)Phase I2016$100K
National Science FoundationPhase I2015$150K
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)Phase I2015$100K

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.

In the news

Industrial Microbes secures $10 M in seed funding to scale sustainable biobased materials - World Bio Market Insightsworldbiomarketinsights.com · Nov 2024iMicrobes Seed Round — Industrial Microbesimicrobes.com · Nov 2024iMicrobes Raises $10M to Transform Biomanufacturingcauseartist.com · Nov 2024Causeartistcauseartist.com · Nov 2024YC-Backed Industrial Microbes Is Engineering Bacteria To Produce Chemicals From Natural Gases | TechCrunchtechcrunch.com · Mar 2015

Frequently asked questions

What does Industrial Microbes do?
iMicrobes uses synthetic biology to develop cost-effective sustainable materials and replace conventional manufacturing processes. The company focuses on circular economy principles, converting waste streams into value through biotechnology.
Who founded Industrial Microbes?
Industrial Microbes was founded by Derek Greenfield, Liz Clarke, Noah Helman in 2014.
Who are Industrial Microbes's investors?
Industrial Microbes's investors include First Bight Ventures, Juniper, Y Combinator, Universal Materials Incubator.
Where is Industrial Microbes headquartered?
Industrial Microbes is headquartered in San Francisco, US.