baCta Secures €7 Million in Seed Funding
baCta, an industrial biotech startup based in Paris, has successfully raised €7 million in a seed funding round. The company focuses on producing industrial ingredients through precision fermentation, aiming to achieve sustainable abundance. The funding round was co-led by LocalGlobe and Daphni, with additional participation from OVNI Capital, Phagos, Genomines, and Mistral AI.
Company Overview
Founded by Mathieu Nohet, who serves as the CEO, baCta leverages artificial intelligence and synthetic biology to transform microorganisms into programmable molecular factories. This innovative approach enables the efficient and sustainable production of industrial ingredients. Their first product, b-Astaxanthin, is an antioxidant produced through this precise fermentation process.
Use of Funds
The newly acquired funds will be instrumental in scaling up the production of baCta’s first product, b-Astaxanthin. Additionally, the company plans to accelerate the deployment of its strain engineering platform, baCtaForge. This platform combines a precision biofoundry with a genome-to-factory AI model, enhancing the company's ability to produce valuable molecules at an industrial scale.
Investor Support
The seed round attracted a mix of new and existing investors, highlighting the growing interest in sustainable bioproduction technologies. LocalGlobe and Daphni, known for supporting innovative startups, led the investment, while OVNI Capital, Phagos, Genomines, and Mistral AI also contributed to the round.
CEO's Vision
Mathieu Nohet, baCta's CEO, expressed confidence in the company's trajectory, stating: "This investment allows us to reach industrial scale for our first ingredient and demonstrate the value of our unique AI-driven approach." He emphasized the potential of using microorganisms as molecular factories to synthesize organic molecules profitably at a commercial scale.
Future Plans
With the seed funding secured, baCta is well-positioned to expand its bioproduction capabilities. The company’s focus on sustainable and efficient production methods aligns with increasing global demands for eco-friendly industrial ingredients. As they continue to develop and refine their platform, baCta aims to set new standards in the biotech industry for the production of high-value molecules.