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Lygos
YC W16San Francisco, US · Founded 2011 · Delaware corporation · 55 employees · 17 known investors
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Lygos uses genetically engineered microorganisms to produce industrial chemicals from sugar feedstocks, focusing on compounds where fermentation offers cost advantages compared to fossil fuel-based manufacturing.
Founders & leadership· Y Combinator alumni (W16)
Lygos was founded in 2011 by Eric Steen and Jeffrey A. Dietrich.
Board
Investors · 17
How we know: Fifty Years's portfolio page · the VCSheet dataset · Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us
How we know: FundersClub's portfolio page · Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us
How we know: Jude Gomila's portfolio page · Not right? Tell us
How we know: LG Technology Ventures's portfolio page · the VCSheet dataset · Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us
How we know: the Y Combinator directory · open dataset · 5k.vc investor directory · Not right? Tell us
How we know: the VCSheet dataset · Not right? Tell us
How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us
How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us
How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us
How we know: funding news · Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us
How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us
How we know: a partner's Signal profile · funding news · Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us
How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us
How we know: a partner's Signal profile · the VCSheet dataset · Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us
How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us
How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us
How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us
Reported raises · per SEC filings
Form D private placements$41.7M disclosed across 4 rounds · 2016–2018
▶$10.9MraisedApr 2019 · 8 investors · Other TechnologyRule 506(b)
- Eric SteenExecutive Officer, Director
- Jay KeaslingDirector
- Brad GillespieDirector
- Jeffrey DietrichExecutive Officer
- Offering amount
- $15M
- Amount sold
- $10.9M
- First sale
- Nov 2018
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
▶$15.5MraisedApr 2019 · 31 investors · Other TechnologyRule 506(b)
- Eric SteenExecutive Officer, Director
- Jay KeaslingDirector
- Jeffrey DietrichExecutive Officer
- Brad GillespieDirector
- Offering amount
- $20M
- Amount sold
- $15.5M
- First sale
- Mar 2018
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
▶$14.1MraisedJul 2017 · 35 investors · Other TechnologyRule 506(b)
- Eric SteenExecutive Officer, Director
- Jeffrey DietrichExecutive Officer
- Brad GillespieDirector
- Jay KeaslingDirector
- Offering amount
- $14.1M
- Amount sold
- $14.1M
- First sale
- Oct 2016
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
▶$1.2MraisedFeb 2016 · 13 investors · OtherRule 506(b)
- Eric SteenExecutive Officer, Director
- Jay D. KeaslingDirector
- Jeffrey A. DietrichExecutive Officer, Director
- Leonard KatzDirector
- Offering amount
- $2.9M
- Amount sold
- $1.2M
- First sale
- Jan 2016
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware
- 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 Lygos went on to found or lead other companies.
Related companies · 5
Companies working in the same space as Lygos.
Non-dilutive funding · 11 SBIR/STTR awards
Federal grants — no equity taken| Agency | Phase | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Energy | Phase I | 2018 | $150K |
| Department of Agriculture (USDA) | Phase I | 2018 | $100K |
| National Science Foundation | Phase II | 2015 | $750K |
| Department of Agriculture (USDA) | Phase I | 2015 | $100K |
| Department of Energy | Phase II | 2014 | $1M |
| Department of Agriculture (USDA) | Phase II | 2014 | $450K |
| National Science Foundation | Phase I | 2014 | $150K |
| Department of Agriculture (USDA) | Phase I | 2014 | $100K |
| Department of Agriculture (USDA) | Phase I | 2013 | $100K |
| Department of Energy | Phase II | 2012 | $988.2K |
| Department of Energy | Phase I | 2011 | $150K |
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.
Legal entities · 1
corporate structureIn the news
Frequently asked questions
- What does Lygos do?
- Lygos uses genetically engineered microorganisms to produce industrial chemicals from sugar feedstocks, focusing on compounds where fermentation offers cost advantages compared to fossil fuel-based manufacturing.
- Who founded Lygos?
- Lygos was founded by Eric Steen, Jeffrey A. Dietrich in 2011.
- Who are Lygos's investors?
- Lygos's investors include Fifty Years, FundersClub, Jude Gomila, LG Technology Ventures, Y Combinator, 10x Founders, 10x Group, Agrolimen Ventures and 9 more.
- How much funding has Lygos raised?
- Lygos has disclosed $41.7M raised across 4 rounds.
- Where is Lygos headquartered?
- Lygos is headquartered in San Francisco, US.