Venture ventures ( 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 emerging technologies . More than $ 300 m 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 rates of 15 % 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.