C16 Biosciences

Meet an Unreasonable Venture

Using innovative processes found in nature to brew sustainable alternatives to palm oil

Shara Ticku

Founder & CEO at C16 Biosciences

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c16bio.com

Employees 21–50

Headquarters New York, New York, United States

C16 Biosciences is an award-winning, climate-tech startup using innovative processes found in nature to brew sustainable alternatives to fats and oils. The company's first product offering, Palmless™, is the platform for sustainable palm oil alternatives. C16’s proprietary technology platform uses biomanufacturing to create next-generation ingredients and materials that successfully address global ESG challenges—including climate change, food security, the environmental and safety impacts of natural resource extraction, and more.

Energy & Environment and Food & Water

Notable Achievements

Raised $24 million to date, including funding from Breakthrough Energy Ventures (Bill Gates) and US DOE.
Gross margin positive in first market (beauty / personal care), approaching cost-competitive
First product sold out in 2 hours and received >1 billion media impressions

Currently Operating in Two Regions

Press Mentions

October 18, 2024

The Future Is Female: Women In Venture Capital - Plato Data Intelligence

C16 Biosciences is making waves in sustainable biotechnology, led by innovative women in venture capital. Their groundbreaking work in producing palm oil alternatives celebrates female leadership,...

Read on Zephyrnet »

July 3, 2024

A Biotech Solution to Palm Oil Deforestation

Shara Ticku, Co-founder and CEO of C16 Biosciences (and HBS alumna), which uses fermentation to produce a palm oil substitute, describes how she and her partners built their start-up, including how...

Read on Harvard Business School »

March 19, 2024

Palm oil is both ubiquitous and problematic. This biotech company has finally devised an alternative

Why C16 Biosciences, with its new brand, Palmless, is one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in the consumer goods category.

Read on Fast Company »

February 13, 2024

Greasy—and good for the planet

Bill Gates writes about two companies that are creating alternatives to animal fats and palm oil, which contribute massively to climate change.

Read on gatesnotes.com »

January 31, 2024

The AlleyWatch Startup Daily Funding Report: 1/30/2024 – AlleyWatch

The AlleyWatch Startup Daily Funding Report for January 30, 2024, highlights the latest funding rounds and investments in various startups. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the...

Read on AlleyWatch »