Breakout 2.0
We are excited to share an update on the evolution of Breakout.
Breakout Labs launched ten years ago with the goal of funding deep science companies at a stage and time when we believed philanthropic capital was necessary to support the achievement of technical milestones and to coalesce a start-up ecosystem in this space. Since then, we’ve funded 50 amazing founding teams creating an incredible community of scientists, entrepreneurs and investors committed to using science as their superpower to make science fiction a reality.
Our portfolio has raised over $1B in follow-on funding, grown leather without the cow, developed therapeutics to alter the course of Alzheimer’s, transformed carbon dioxide emissions into useful products, and so much more (see update below).
The market is growing and so are we…
As you know, the marketplace for early-stage companies has matured and investors are embracing deep tech at all stages. That doesn’t mean it’s easy out there, but it does mean it’s time for Breakout Labs to declare success and transition fully to Breakout Ventures, the fund we created in 2016 to further support scientist entrepreneurs.
With Breakout Ventures II launching this summer, we have more capital and resources to partner with founders building the bio-based future. We will continue to invest at the earliest stages, entering at Seed or Series A in creative bioscience companies harnessing the power of cells and computation to scale solutions in human health and sustainability.
As the tools, technologies and talent across industries are brought to bear on biology and chemistry in surprising ways, Breakout will remain at the forefront of building a future powered by science.
If you, or someone you know, is building the future, visit breakout.vc or tell us about it here.
VC Lindy Fishburne on the seemingly sudden democratization of science
Lindy Fishburne sat down with Connie Loizos to talk about how investing in companies that once seemed like moonshots, are looking more like solid bets. Read more on TechCrunch.
New study supports Cytovale IntelliSep Test as promising tool to aid in rapid diagnosis of sepsis in emergency departments
The Cytovale IntelliSep test is a simple, intuitive solution that provides actionable answers directly from a blood sample in under 10 minutes. The rapid test may aid hospital emergency departments in saving lives, preventing sepsis-related morbidity, and conserving resources for those who need it most. Here’s how it works.
Twelve (formerly Opus 12) raises $57M in Series A funding to eliminate emissions through carbon transformation
Twelve is pioneering a new market category called carbon transformation with its proprietary catalyst technology that transforms CO2 into critical chemicals, materials and fuels that are conventionally made from fossil fuels. The company has secured partnerships with Mercedes-Benz, Procter & Gamble and NASA. Read more on Fast Company.
Remote-Controlled Labs? Strateos Raises $56 Million To Build Out Its Vision Of Scientific Automation
Strateos is on a mission to expand the next-generation of smart lab solutions with direct access to automation to accelerate discovery in life sciences and allow researchers to run their labs from anywhere. Read more on Forbes.
Modern Meadow Closes $130 Million Series C Funding, Names Anna Bakst CEO
Modern Meadow is primarily known for its lab-grown leather, an area of innovation that has attracted mounting interest from fashion brands looking to curb their environmental impact but also struggled to produce commercial-scale technology. Read more on the Business of Fashion.
Cortexyme (CRTX) Presents Updated Baseline Data from Complete Set of Participants Enrolled in Pivotal GAIN Trial
Cortexyme’s ongoing pivotal Phase 2/3 GAIN Trial is rooted in a strong body of research outlining the role of P. gingivalis in the neurodegeneration associated with Alzheimer’s Disease. Read more here.
LogicInk partners with the 221b Foundation to develop instrument-free CRISPR diagnostic for COVID-19
Combining Sherlock’s CRISPR diagnostic technology with LogicInk’s DNA nanotechnology platform may enable entire populations to self-administer and screen for the presence of COVID-19 simply by identifying an appropriate color combination. Read more on Forbes.
Inhalon Biopharma Receives $7 Million from USAMRDC to Study Inhaled “Muco-trapping” Antibody for the Treatment of COVID-19
The Inhalon muco-trapping antibody platform directly traps the virus in airway mucus, preventing the local spread of the infection, and quickly eliminating the virus from the lungs through the body’s natural ability to clear mucus. Read more here.
ZymoChem Awarded $4.2 Million from ARPA-E for Transformational Biomanufacturing Technology
Through its proprietary biomanufacturing technology, ZymoChem aims to expedite the decarbonization of the chemical industry. Read more here.
Turning science fiction into reality? Tell us how.
