Revolutionizing Catalysis via Computational and Experimental Chemistry
Why Breakout invested in Copernic Catalysts
Meeting Jacob Grose and Aruna Ramkrishnan of Copernic Catalysts was like seeing my PhD research in catalysis brought to life — but on a scale and sophistication that redefines what’s possible in sustainable chemical production. Copernic’s first product addresses the major challenge of ammonia synthesis, an $80 billion industry that underpins global agriculture and chemicals and represents one of the largest industrial sources of carbon emissions worldwide. Traditional ammonia production relies on the Haber-Bosch process, a century-old method that’s energy-intensive, fossil-fuel dependent, and responsible for a staggering 1% of global CO₂ emissions. For ammonia to be part of our decarbonization strategy, it must be produced sustainably — and Copernic’s innovative catalyst provides exactly that solution.
Designed as a drop-in replacement for existing systems, Copernic’s proprietary ammonia catalyst functions at significantly lower temperatures and pressures compared to those most widely used today. The decrease in energy use translates to drastically reduced emissions and a cut in production costs; low-carbon ammonia becomes feasible and economically competitive — without costly facility overhauls. Excitingly, Copernic’s innovative catalyst can also be used to reduce the cost of producing ammonia from renewable hydrogen, enabling ammonia’s use in new applications in the energy space, including as a zero-carbon shipping fuel.
Traditionally, catalyst discovery has relied on an Edisonian, trial-and-error approach, where scientists would test hundreds of materials in the lab, hoping to find one with the right properties — a time-consuming and resource-intensive process. In contrast, Copernic is taking a first-principles computational approach.
Instead of searching blindly, Copernic uses cutting-edge computational chemistry to understand how molecules interact at the atomic level and then design catalysts that precisely fit those interactions. By analyzing molecular interactions, Copernic can predict which materials will achieve optimal catalytic performance under specific reaction conditions before entering the lab. This insight helps Copernic eliminate unfit candidates early, allowing them to quickly and cheaply discover catalysts with the highest potential.
Their exclusive partnership with Schrödinger, a leader in computational chemistry, gives Copernic a clear competitive advantage. Using Schrödinger’s cutting-edge physics-based models, Copernic simulates thousands of potential catalysts at the atomic level, zeroing in on the most promising candidates for real-world validation. Their ammonia catalyst, which is already being tested on the gram-scale with one of the world’s largest ammonia producers, outperforms current industry standards by achieving yields 2–8x higher under milder production conditions — demonstrating the practical impact of their innovation.
“There aren’t many chemicals that can match the potential of sustainable ammonia to reduce global carbon emissions across a variety of industries,” said Copernic Catalysts’ Co-founder and CEO, Dr. Jacob Grose. “Our goal is to continue to develop catalyst solutions that enable the cost-effective decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors at the largest scales.”
The urgency for sustainable ammonia production is driven by both regulatory pressure and economic incentives — a true “carrot and stick” paradigm. As regulatory bodies implement strict mandates and penalties for high-carbon processes, companies must reduce emissions or face costly fines, carbon taxes, and potential market exclusion. The regulatory “stick” is balanced by the economic “carrot” of Copernic’s technology: an effective solution that significantly reduces both capital and operational expenditures. Companies using Copernic’s catalysts can lower their CapEx and meet sustainability targets.
But Copernic isn’t a single-catalyst company, and they aren’t stopping with ammonia; they’re advancing a portfolio of catalytic solutions across industries, highlighted by their recent LOI for a second catalyst aimed at sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) synthesis. This new catalyst uses the Fischer-Tropsch process to convert syngas into SAF, offering a cost-effective path for the aviation industry to decarbonize. By developing multiple catalysts across high-impact sectors, Copernic aims to bring scalable, affordable decarbonization solutions that industries can implement with minimal disruption.
With the closing of their $8 million Series Seed Prime round — led by Breakout Ventures, with participation from Future Ventures, Engine Ventures, and others — Copernic is positioned to scale their ammonia catalyst for kg-scale customer testing and to accelerate the SAF catalyst’s development. This funding will continue to fuel Copernic’s catalytic solutions to reach the market and drive carbon efficiency across industries.
As promising as Copernic’s technology is and as vast as the markets they are targeting are, the clinching factor in our investment was their leadership team’s expertise, passion, and network. Jacob Grose’s experience in BASF’s Venture Capital and New Business groups and Aruna Ramkrishnan’s technical leadership at ExxonMobil give them a rare combination of expertise, market insight, and industry connections. They are uniquely equipped to commercialize sustainable catalysts at scale.
Breakout Ventures is thrilled to support Copernic’s journey to create sustainable ammonia and aviation fuel and speed decarbonization across high-demand sectors. Breakout backs high-conviction founders who have a “right to win” — those who deeply understand their technology, markets, and the supply chains linking them — and we look forward to working alongside Jacob and Aruna as they redefine what industrial catalysts can achieve in the race to a sustainable future.
This article was written by Breakout Ventures Principal, Nima Ronaghi, PhD, and edited by our Director of Community, Susanna Harris, PhD.
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