C16 Biosciences is a biotechnology company that biodesigns high-performance ingredients for consumer goods, offering sustainable alternatives to palm oil-derived ingredients. The company’s proprietary Palmless biomanufacturing platform uses precision fermentation to produce high-value oils, fats, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, and triglycerides that can be scaled locally, reducing reliance on imported commodities subject to volatility. Palmless Torula Oil is a bioactive super-emollient packed with antioxidant carotenoids, sterols, and terpenoids, clinically proven to boost skin barrier function and UVA/UVB protection in SPF formulations. The platform also produces designer fats and oils for food applications including bakery, confectionery, and packaged food, as well as non-palm kernel oil-derived fatty alcohols for home and personal care products that meet upcoming regulations like EUDR and EUDDD. C16 collaborates with leading brands across beauty, personal care, and food sectors. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in New York City, the company has raised approximately $29.1 million in Series A funding. Investors include Y Combinator, DCVC, Sound Ventures, Breakthrough Energy, Gates, AME Cloud Ventures, Pioneer Fund, and Elemental.
C16 Biosciences
Series AC16 Biosciences is a biotechnology company that biodesigns high-performance ingredients for consumer goods, offering sustainable alternatives to palm oil-derived ingredients. The company’s proprietary Palmless biomanufacturing platform uses precision fermentation to produce high-value oils, fats, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, and triglycerides that can be scaled locally, reducing reliance on imported commodities…
About
Business model
Food Tech > Novel Foods > Food Products > Vegetable Oil Substitute > Microbe Based,
Food & Beverage Products > Grocery & Staples > Cooking Oil > Vegetable Oil Substitute > Microbe Based,
Y Combinator Batches > 2018 > Summer
Team background
College Wise > University of Cambridge, Harvard University, Harvard Business School, Yale University
Institutional investors
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