Tandem Repeat

Tandem Repeat Technologies, a climate-tech startup founded in 2017, operates at the intersection of synthetic biology and material science to address microfiber pollution. The company was co-founded by CEO Dr. Gözde Şenel-Ayaz, CTO Dr. Benjamin Allen, and Professor Melik Demirel. Dr. Şenel-Ayaz holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering and comes from a family with three generations of experience in textile manufacturing. Professor Demirel is the Huck Endowed Chair Professor at Penn State University, specializing in biomimetic materials, while Dr. Allen is an expert in computational and experimental protein library design. The founders were motivated to find an alternative to plastic-based fibers due to the significant environmental problem of microfiber pollution in the oceans.

The company's core business revolves around its flagship product, Squitex, a protein-based fiber created through a biomanufacturing process that utilizes fermentation. Inspired by proteins found in squid tentacles, Squitex is designed using AI to predict and enhance its physical properties, resulting in a material with notable strength and durability. This material serves as a sustainable substitute for petroleum and animal-based fibers like polyester, rayon, and nylon, which are major contributors to microfiber pollution. The production process for Squitex is engineered to be carbon-negative, aiming to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Tandem Repeat's business model involves selling Squitex woven fabric directly to the textile manufacturing industry and engaging in co-development partnerships with customers for advanced fiber applications. Their long-term vision includes establishing Squitex as a recognized brand within the fashion industry.

Since its inception, Tandem Repeat has secured a total of $5.18 million in funding through a combination of seed rounds and grants. Key funding milestones include a $3 million seed round in March 2023, led by investors such as Climate Capital and Prithvi Ventures. The company has also received significant government and industry awards, including a $1.5 million grant from the Department of Defense in August 2024 to scale production for both defense and commercial applications. This funding is intended to expand production capacity from a pilot scale of 500 kg to 1,000 metric tons. Other notable awards include the Microfiber Innovation Challenge prize and accolades from the H&M Foundation and Tommy Hilfiger. Keywords: Squitex, protein fibers, biomanufacturing, sustainable textiles, microfiber pollution, synthetic biology, climate tech, material science, fermentation, circular economy