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Rise Reforming

YC S26

Chicago, US · Founded 2024 · 4 employees · 7 known investors

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Rise Reforming converts stranded biogas from wastewater plants, farms, and landfills into valuable chemicals including dimethyl ether (DME), methanol, and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) using modular, containerized technology. The company serves the chemical industry, offering a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuel-dependent chemical production with domestic feedstock security.

Advanced ManufacturingCleantechClimate TechEnergyHard TechSmart Waste ManagementAlternative FuelsRenewable EnergyClimateTechUnited States of AmericaAmerica / Canada

Founders & leadership· Y Combinator alumni (S26)

Rise Reforming was founded in 2024 by George Rose, Lucas Zubillaga, and Jona van Oord.

GRGeorge Rose
George RoseCo-Founder and CEOHe previously held roles at Nexamp, Highland Electric Fleets, Mantel Capture, and GenH, and studied molecular engineering at the University of Chicago.
LZLucas Zubillaga
Lucas ZubillagaCo-Founder & CTOLucas Zubillaga holds degrees in Molecular Engineering and Physics from the University of Chicago and serves as Co-Founder and CTO at Rise Reforming. He has prior experience in nuclear waste management at Argonne National Laboratory and renewable energy at Avangrid/Iberdrola, and has led design and construction of a bench-scale reforming unit.
JVJona van Oord
Jona van OordCo-founder · Chief Operating OfficerJona van Oord is a molecular engineer with a background from the University of Chicago who co-founded and serves as COO of Rise Reforming, a hardware company working on climate-related technologies.
NK
Nina KritikosFounding Process Engineer

Investors · 7

LongJump Ventureslisted by LongJump VenturesChicago · $110K
MFV PartnersreportedSan Francisco Bay Area · $1M – $5M

How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us

Seven Seven SixreportedPalm Beach Gardens · $500K – $5M

How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us

Speedwagon CapitalreportedChicago

How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us

Tekedia CapitalreportedLagos · $1K

How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us

Velocity Catalyst FundreportedChicago · $250K – $5M

How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us

Related companies · 5

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Companies working in the same space as Rise Reforming.

Legal entities · 1

corporate structure
Rise Reforming, Inc.

In the news

Rise Reforming: distributed chemical productionycombinator.com · Jul 2026

Frequently asked questions

What does Rise Reforming do?
Rise Reforming converts stranded biogas from wastewater plants, farms, and landfills into valuable chemicals including dimethyl ether (DME), methanol, and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) using modular, containerized technology. The company serves the chemical industry, offering a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuel-dependent chemical production with domestic feedstock security.
Who founded Rise Reforming?
Rise Reforming was founded by George Rose, Lucas Zubillaga, Jona van Oord in 2024.
Who are Rise Reforming's investors?
Rise Reforming's investors include Y Combinator, LongJump Ventures, MFV Partners, Seven Seven Six, Speedwagon Capital, Tekedia Capital, Velocity Catalyst Fund.
Where is Rise Reforming headquartered?
Rise Reforming is headquartered in Chicago, US.