The Leaders Advancing
Biomanufacturing
We invest in companies driving the bioeconomy forward.
Smiles expected, not guaranteed.
The Most important problem Humans face in 2025
Our Portfolio Is Tackling
Trillion Dollar Problems
Here is what we look for in our portfolio companies:
Proven Science - Patented, rigorously vetted technology with clear IP ownership
Early Commercial Momentum - Secured pilot customers or licensing deals, and a pathway to $100 M+ in annual revenue.
Large Market, Cost Parity - Solutions that can meet or beat incumbent pricing in multi-billion-dollar sectors.
Exceptional Founders - Teams blending deep science with execution strength and the drive to grow fast.
Capital Advantage - Access to federal grants and non-dilutive programs that extend runway.
Billion-Dollar Upside - Minimum 20× return potential and a clear route to $1 B+ valuation at exit.
This is our formula for predictable success that drives value to our portfolio companies and investors.
We invest from seed to Series A, and like to finance engineering risk. We do not want to finance market risks, technical risks, etc. When we finance engineering risk, we have a high chance of success. This is the model First Bight is scaling with from Fund 1 to Fund 2.
Check our what each of our portfolio companies is up to!
The algenesis team is...
Scaling Bio-Based Polyurethane
77% of humans have microplastics in their blood.This is one of the largest problems we face in the 21st century.
Algenesis has developed a microplastic free and compostable material that can be used across industries. This material is called Soleic.
Algenesis was founded by Professor Stephen Mayfield, a leader from UC San Diego with 3 exits under his built.
Here are some use cases for Algenesis's material:
Barrier Layers For Single Use Packaging
Apparel & Shoes
Phone Cases
Foam Cushions (For Automotive and Furniture)
Durable Goods
The persephone team is...
Scaling Novel Probiotics
The silent war happening across the world is happening in the gut biome of every human.
The solution to this problem is scalable, low cost, novel probiotics that seed good bacteria in our gut biomes.
Here are some of the problems that the Persephone team is tackling as they revolutionize human health.
Disease Progression
Therapeutic Response
Nutrition
Longevity
The Visolis team is...
Scaling Carbon Negative Chemicals
In a world of petrochemicals, reliable supply chains of carbon negative materials is only increasing in demand.
The Visolis team has developed a technology that allows for scalable production of carbon negative platform molecules like isoprene (the precursor for rubber).
The Visolis team converts waste biomass and CO2 into everyday chemicals.
Here are some of the use cases the Visolis team is focused on:
Isoprene (Rubber)
Skin Creams / Personal Care
Fuels
Solvents
The via biofuels team is...
Scaling Sustainable Fuels and Chemicals
Platform molecules have become all the rage as the world seeks sustainable solutions in the chemical sector.
VIA is scaling their continuous fermentation technology and proprietary yeast production to disrupt multiple industries.
Here are some of the problems the VIA team is tackling:
Fuels
Personal Care
Textiles
Plastics
The r2dio team is...
Scaling Biomanufacturing Software
Process intelligence platforms are the unlock codes for large producers to predictably innovate.
R2DIO pulls all your process data, files, and tools into one searchable, context-rich platform.
Here are some of the impacts R2DIO's customers are experiencing as they use their technology:
50% Faster Process Development Cycles
Finding Millions Per Year in Extra Production Output
Cut Hours of Data Wrangling to Seconds
Plug Into Your Preexisting Data Tools
No Code - No IT Backlog - Connect, Search, & Decide
The Capra Biosciences team is...
Scaling Food Waste to Chemicals
There are certain chemicals that are extremely difficult to make through biomanufacturing.
Capra’s small, modular, plug-and-play reactors use thin layers of microbes (biofilms) to turn waste carbon into chemicals.
Capra's process makes high value chemicals faster and cheaper than standard fermentation while using very little water or energy.
Here are a few use cases they are focused on:
Cosmetics (like Retinol)
Adhesives
Pigments
Detergents
Lubricants
The industrial microbes team is...
Scaling Bio-Based Acrylic Acid
iMicrobes rewires naturally gas-eating bacteria to turn CO₂, methane, and even raw biogas into drop-in ingredients.
Waste gases go in, and premium climate-positive products come out the other side.
Plug their chassis into an electrolyzer or landfill flare and you can crank out all different types of chemistries, including:
Jet Fuel
Biodegradable Plastics
High Protein Aquafeed (Fish Food)
Specialty Aroma Molecules
Beyond Capital
We Partner With Startups To Scale Impact
If you are looking for silent capital, you are in the wrong place.
We Lead Rounds
We write first checks for
seed through series A.
We Want Board Seats
We are actively involved in
strategy and governance.
We Make Introductions
We leverage our relationships to drive meaningful partnerships.
We Drive Efficiencies
We help our portfolio companies proficiently scale operations.
We Mitigate Risks
We identify and reduce scale up risks to increase shareholder value.
We Love Science
We nerd out on technology and
how it drives impact.
Become an expert in 60 minutes
Biomanufacturing Bundle™
Get instant access to:
Biomanufacturing DDQ (For Due Diligence)
Biomanufacturing Meta Analysis
Biomanufacturing Graveyard
Biomanufacturing Masterclass
Total value: $997
Today $0
"The unlock code"
"This is the quickest way to shorten your learning curve on all things biomanufacturing." - Jesse Henry
TESTIMONIALS
What Our Portfolio Companies Have to Say
We have created the leading biomanufacturing venture ecosystem.
"First Bight has been the best strategic investment I have ever made."
"Testimonial lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem dolore, alias, numquam enim dolor elit."
- LP in First Bight
"Bio-isoprene would be impossible without Veronica."
"Testimonial lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem dolore, alias, numquam enim dolor elit."
- Former Board Member @ Good Year
"We are investing $10M+ in biomanufacturing because of First Bight."
"Testimonial lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem dolore, alias, numquam enim dolor elit."
- San Jacinto College
Smiles expected, not guaranteed.
And Sometimes, we like to have fun
The Secret Sauce of Biomanufacturing
Smiles expected, not guaranteed.
How To Bio?
Scaling Sustainable Chemistry
We have tailored our approach to support scale up challenges in biomanufacturing.
This laser focus helps startups, investors, corporates, and communities reap the rewards of First Bight's ecosystem.
If you are interested in investing in or scaling sustainable chemicals, please find a time to connect with our team.
Press from port co's
News From Our Portfolio
Stay up to date on advancements from First Bight's portfolio companies.
Persephone
January 23, 2025
Persephone Biosciences Announces First Subject Enrolled in ARTEMIS Clinical Trial of New Infant Synbiotic
Global Newswire
Oct 19, 2023
Persephone Biosciences Announces New Collaboration With Kroger Health to Launch AMBROSIA Food as Medicine Study
BioSpace
Oct 17, 2023
Persephone Biosciences and Ginkgo Bioworks Complete Reusable Bacteroides Anaerobic Engineering Toolkit
Cision
July 27, 2023
Building a Better Microbiome
proto.life
April 27, 2023
“Cancer & the Gut Biome” with Stephanie Culler, Ph.D.
Angel Invest Boston
Jan 24, 2023
Kroger Health Establishes Clinical Trial Site Network to Increase Reach and Access to Research Studies
Cision
Sept 20, 2022
Persephone Biosciences Announces First Participant Enrolled in the ARGONAUT Study of Gut Microbiome-Linked Immune Modulation in Cancer Treatment Response
GlobeNewswire
July 19, 2022
Persephone Biosciences, Pioneers In Synthetic Biology, Lands $15M In Seed Funding
Grit Daily
July 19, 2022
Can bacteria in your gut boost cancer therapies? A San Diego startup thinks so
The San Diego-Union Tribune
July 19, 2022
Persephone puts poop to work to explore and heal your gut microbiome
TechCrunch
Visolis
July 30, 2024
Visolis Receives $2.25M DOD Award to Plan for Domestic Facility
U.S. Dept. of Defense
April 10, 2024
Zeon and Visolis collaborating on commercialization of bio-isoprene monomers
Chemical Engineering
October 26, 2023
Goodyear, Visolis partner for bio-based isoprene
Rubber News
July 20, 2023
Harnessing synthetic biology to make sustainable alternatives to petroleum products
MIT
April 24, 2023
Visolis and Ginkgo Bioworks Announce Partnership to Improve Microbial Strain
Ginkgo Bioworks
Jan 11, 2023
Biomanufacturing Startup Visolis Has Raised $8 Million To Make Carbon-Negative Materials
Forbes
Sept 19, 2019
Visolis Recognized as One of “the 50 Next Companies to Disrupt the World”
The Digest
Algenesis
April 28, 2025
Why Most “Biodegradable” Products Are Probably Fake
Business Insider
February 1, 2025
Flow chemistry yields a more sustainable route to isocyanates
Chemical Engineering Magazine
Sept 16, 2024
DoD Releases 12 Awards for Distributed Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program
June 27, 2024
How Biodegradable Polyurethane Could Solve the Microplastic Pollution Problem
March 24, 2024
May 10, 2023
September 21, 2022
Sustainability Matters: Sanuk Debuts Plant-Based, Carbon-Neutral Sneakers + More News
Footwear News
Capra Biosciences
July 19, 2024
Capra Biosciences Lands $7.5 Million Project Agreement To Demonstrate Platform To Rapidly Scale Pharmaceutical Ingredient Manufacturing
Capra Biosciences
April 29, 2024
How Microbes Are Changing Manufacturing: Why We Invested in Capra Biosciences
Closed Loop Partners
Industrial Microbes
Nov 19, 2024
Industrial Microbes announces seed round funding
iMicrobes Press
Nov 4, 2024
A low-cost method for bio-based production of acrylic acid
Chemical Engineering
September 14, 2023
DoD Releases Seven Awards for Distributed Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program
BioMADE
September 14, 2023
BioMADE Announces Nine Projects, $18.7 Million to Advance Domestic Bioindustrial Manufacturing and DoD Sustainability Goals
BioMADE
R2DIO
Check back soon. :)
VIA Biofuels
Check back soon. :)
Copyrights 2025 | First Bight Ventures™ | Terms & Conditions