Algenetix
Petrochemical alternatives from industrial microbe lipid productivity.
Algenetix was an industrial biotechnology company that developed renewable oils and materials from plant-based sources as alternatives to petroleum. Founded in 2010 and based in San Diego, CA, the company's core technology, PhotoSeed™, was designed to enhance lipid productivity in industrial microbes. This process aimed to create replacements for petroleum in fuels and chemicals.
The company secured $2.8 million in funding from investors including Finistere Ventures, Kapyon Ventures, and Two Oceans. On February 17, 2016, Algenetix was acquired by ZeaKal, a biotechnology startup focused on improving agricultural productivity. The acquisition was part of ZeaKal's strategy to expand its PhotoSeed product development pipeline, which aims to increase the photosynthetic capacity of plants, leading to higher yields and better resource efficiency.
Keywords: petrochemical alternatives, industrial biotechnology, renewable oils, PhotoSeed technology, lipid productivity, single-cell oil, biofuels, biomaterials, agricultural productivity, plant science, genetic engineering, Finistere Ventures, ZeaKal, carbon fixation, sustainable materials, algae genetics, microbe engineering, renewable energy, crop science, cleantech