Venture capitalists (VCs) have invested $5.8bn in biofuel start-ups since 2010, according to Lux Research. However, while investment between 2010 and 2015 focused on drop-in replacements for established chemicals, last year it shifted to disruptive synthetic biology (synbio) and conversion technologies. More than $300m was invested in synbio start-ups in the year, through 11 October, accounting for 53% of all VC funding in 2016. Meanwhile, catalysis and fermentation attracted funding shares of 16% and 20% respectively.
Venture capitalists (VCs) have invested $5.8bn in biofuel start-ups since 2010, according to Lux Research. However, while investment between 2010 and 2015 focused on drop-in replacements for established chemicals, last year it shifted to disruptive synthetic biology (synbio) and conversion technologies. More than $300m was invested in synbio start-ups in 2016, through 11 October, accounting for 53% of all VC funding in the year. Meanwhile, catalysis and fermentation attracted funding shares of 16% and 20% respectively.