Cascade Biocatalysts, a biomanufacturing company focused on green chemistry, has raised an oversubscribed $2.6 million pre-seed funding round. The funding was led by Ten VC, with participation from Amplify.LA, Boost VC, Range Ventures, Spacecadet, and the Cool Climate Collective.
The funds will be used to scale Cascade’s impact from lab bench to pilot scale and support its initial customers.
Cascade Biocatalysts aims to make the industrial use of enzymes more affordable, accelerating the transition to greener chemical manufacturing. The company’s proprietary technology, called the Body Armor for Enzymes™, enhances enzyme performance and drives more cost-effective and sustainable chemical reactions.
By utilizing enzymes for chemical manufacturing, Cascade aims to move away from energy-intensive, petrochemical-based processes and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions generated by the chemicals industry. The company’s technology improves enzyme stability under challenging industrial conditions, which is a significant barrier in enzyme-based processes.
Cascade has successfully worked on improving the stability of 15 different enzymes, demonstrating its technology’s potential for various applications. The company’s initial projects cover a wide range of areas, including carbon dioxide capture, fragrance manufacturing, and wastewater treatment.
Co-founders Alex Rosay and James Weltz bring together expertise in chemical engineering, scientific innovation, and industry experience. Weltz invented the technology during his PhD research, revolutionizing the field of enzyme immobilization.
Alex Rosay, CEO of Cascade Biocatalysts, expressed confidence in the technology’s potential to transform biomanufacturing. The company, headquartered in Denver with a presence in California and New York, is poised to lead the cell-free biomanufacturing revolution.
