First Bight Ventures
Venture capitalActively deployingHouston · Seed–Series A · 20 people tracked
Also known as First Bight
Investment thesis
First Bight Ventures focuses on scaling nature's chemistry through biomanufacturing to help major industries transition from resource extraction toward regeneration and sustainable inputs. The firm targets sectors such as chemicals, manufacturing, agriculture, construction, automotive, and textiles that need sustainable alternatives to commodity materials. It backs early-stage biomanufacturing companies, leading rounds and writing first checks from seed through Series A, taking board seats and actively supporting portfolio companies with scale-up de-risking, operational efficiency, and partnership introductions. The firm aims to build a biomanufacturing ecosystem uniting investors, corporations, governments, universities, and foundations to make scientific breakthroughs commercially viable.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 20 people
from the firm's website & public directoriesWhat they invest in
from 8 of 10 portfolio companiesBiotech ×4Cleantech ×4Circular Economy ×2Energy ×2Enterprise Software ×2Healthtech ×2New Materials ×2SaaS ×2
HQs:United States×5
Who they back
founder profiles across 7 portfolio companiesAccelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program
Investments · 10 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2024 · 12021 · 12 dated
Persephone develops a synbiotic supplement for infants that combines probiotics (keystone Bifidobacterium strains) with prebiotics found in human breast milk to replenish gut bacteria linked to digestion, immunity, and development.
BiotechConsumerDigital Health
Stephanie Culler(CEO & Co-Founder)Steve Van Dien(CTO & Co-Founder)
Co-investorsPropel Bio PartnersFifty YearsY Combinator
Algenesis Labs develops plant-based, biodegradable polyurethanes and polymers designed to replace petroleum-based materials while retaining durability.
Circular EconomyCleantechNew MaterialsSan Diego, US
Stephen Mayfield(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Dr. Stephen Mayfield(Founder)Dr. Robert Pomeroy(Co-founder)Dr. Michael Burkart(Co-founder)Nicholas Sandland(Executive Officer, Director)Peter Morgan(Executive Officer, Promoter)
Co-investorsCirculate CapitalFamily Angel Management FundMeliorate
Ark provides a customizable digital platform for venture capital and private equity firms to manage investor communications, performance reporting, and document sharing with their limited partners.
Enterprise SoftwareFintechSaaS
Co-investorsAcies InvestmentsAloft VCAlta PartnersAmity VenturesArtis VenturesAsymmetric Capital Partners+21 more
Alexandria, US
Andrew Magyar(Executive Officer, Director)Elizabeth Onderko(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)
BoardPae Wu(Director)inDanielle Joseph(Director)Douglas Cameron(Director)
Co-investorsBlue Ivy VenturesGS FuturesClosed Loop PartnersSOSVThe E14 Fund
iMicrobes uses synthetic biology to develop cost-effective sustainable materials and replace conventional manufacturing processes.
BiotechCircular EconomyCleantechClimate TechHealthtechNew MaterialsSan Francisco, US
Derek Greenfield(Founder/CEO)Liz Clarke(Founder/CTO)inNoah Helman(Founder/CSO)in
Co-investorsJuniperY CombinatorUniversal Materials Incubator
Persephone Biosciences develops a synbiotic (probiotic and prebiotic combination) supplement for infants designed to replenish key beneficial gut bacteria.
BiotechFemTechHealthtechSan Diego, US
Stephanie Culler(Founder/CEO)inStephen Van Dien(Founder/CTO)in
Co-investorsBioBritFifty YearsHemi Ventures, LlcOcampo CapitalY CombinatorDCVC (Data Collective)+1 more
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Co-investorsCTI Life Sciences Fund L.P.Swanlaab Venture FactoryAbstract VenturesGeneral CatalystUnion Square Ventures (USV)Y Combinator
VIA produces 3-Methylanisole (3-MA), a synthetic aromatic biofuel, through proprietary engineered yeast fermentation that converts starch, sugar, and cellulosic sugars into the aromatic compound.
BiotechCleantechEnergyHouston, US
Lewis Dutel(Founder)
Co-investorsVectors Angel
Visolis engineers industrial-scale alternatives to traditional fuels and chemicals through biology and chemistry, producing MEV as a non-toxic, biodegradable drop-in replacement that can be manufactured in distributed facilities worldwide.
Advanced ManufacturingCleantechEnergy
Co-investorsBlueYard CapitalCreative VenturesGlobal Brain
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companies
social media · theguardian.com · Aug 18, 2026
Capra Biosciences · biobuzz.io · Aug 7, 2026
Persephone · biotechmetro.com · Jul 9, 2025
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has First Bight Ventures made?
- First Bight Ventures has 11 tracked investments.
- What stage does First Bight Ventures invest at?
- First Bight Ventures invests at the Seed, Series A stages.
- What is First Bight Ventures's typical check size?
- First Bight Ventures typically writes checks of $1M – $2M.
- What sectors does First Bight Ventures focus on?
- First Bight Ventures focuses on Advanced Manufacturing, AgTech, Biotech, Circular Economy, Cleantech, Climate Tech, Deep Tech, FoodTech, New Materials.
- Where is First Bight Ventures located?
- First Bight Ventures is headquartered in Houston, US.
- Does First Bight Ventures lead rounds?
- Yes, First Bight Ventures leads investment rounds.
- Who does First Bight Ventures co-invest with?
- First Bight Ventures most often shares deals with Y Combinator, BlueYard Capital, Correlation Ventures, among 60 tracked co-investors.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
from their channelFirst Bight Ventures - Biomanufacturing Masterclass 9.2.25
First Bight Ventures
First Bight Biomanufacturing Fireside Chat 08.25
First Bight Ventures
2024 H-Town Roundup Panel Presentation
First Bight Ventures
Introduction to BioWell
First Bight Ventures
First Bight—Tech Rodeo
First Bight Ventures
Images
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