Cascade Bio secures $6M to scale breakthrough biocatalysts
Cascade Bio, a CU Boulder spinout enabling enzyme-based processes, has secured $6 million to accelerate the shift from petrochemicals to biomanufacturing. The funding includes $3.2 million in non-dilutive funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). With this investment, Cascade will expand delivery of its breakthrough biocatalysts.
Business Wire: Cascade Bio Secures $6M
The funding includes a $2.8M seed round led by Endurance28 with participation from Stray Dog Capital, 1Flourish, Range Ventures, 10VC, and Amplify plus $3.2M in nondilutive funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) through the Advancing Cell-Free Systems Toward Increased Range of Use-Inspired Applications (NSF CFIRE) initiative and an SBIR Phase II award.
The University of Colorado Connection
Cascade Bio’s proprietary enzyme immobilization technology, dubbed “Body Armor,” acts as a cushion for the enzyme, enabling it to last longer, withstand more challenging conditions, and work across a wider operating window than other cell-free solutions. The technology was invented by co-founder James Weltz while a graduate student in the CU Boulder laboratories of Daniel K. Schwartz (CU Boulder Chemical and Biological Engineering) and Joel Kaar (CU Boulder Chemical and Biological Engineering).
The Newsroom
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