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Juniper Ventures spins out of Climate Capital to invest in synthetic biology for the climate
Juniper Ventures has spun out of Climate Capital to focus exclusively on investing in synthetic biology startups with the potential to combat climate change.
As noted by Sightline Climate, over 60% of all dollars invested in climate tech since 2020 have gone towards energy and transportation-related projects. However, Juniper’s founders Michael Luciani and Jennifer Kan believe that this approach is insufficient, as these sectors only account for a fraction of the overall carbon emissions problem.
“We are building a lot of data centers, and they are not the most sustainable way for our world to grow digitally,” Kan emphasized. “If we were to store all the world’s data in DNA, it would only take a shoe box.” She highlighted the massive difference that can be achieved by adopting new technologies.
Juniper is dedicated to supporting early-stage scientists who are working on commercializing their research. The fund aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry by providing critical funding for these projects. Luciani emphasized that they want to help scientists think through how to build a company, as they believe that synthetic biology is the most effective solution for tackling the industrial and chemical sectors.
The fund’s first portfolio companies include California Cultured, which specializes in plant cell cultures for more sustainable coffee and chocolate production, as well as Cache DNA, which is working on innovative DNA and RNA storage technologies.
Juniper’s founding partners are committed to making a positive impact by supporting startups that can help address the climate crisis.
Source: techcrunch.com
