# Fermeate

Startup profile on Capital Atlas: https://capitalatlas.ai/startups/fermeate

- Industry: Biotechnology
- Headquarters: San Francisco, US
- Website: www.fermeate.com
- Total disclosed funding: $2.5M
- Latest round: Seed (Mar 31, 2026)
- Investors on record: 9

## About

Based in the US, Fermeate, Inc. provides advanced optogenetic control technology to optimize industrial fermentation processes, enhancing efficiency and productivity in microbial production systems.Fermeate, Inc. specializes in optogenetic technology aimed at improving industrial fermentation processes. Founded in 2024 and headquartered in San Francisco, US, the company has raised USD 2.525 mn in a Seed funding round led by Newfund, with participation from multiple investors including SOSV and Ajinomoto Group Ventures. The most recent deal occurred on March 31, 2026, with a total amount raised equaling USD 2.525 mn. Notably, the company has engaged in one deal to date.Fermeate specializes in advanced optogenetic control technology for industrial fermentation processes, which enhances the efficiency and output of microbial production systems. Its core product offering includes a hardware module that integrates with existing bioreactors through standard tank ports. This module draws a small volume of broth, delivers a precisely timed pulse of light, and returns it to the bioreactor, facilitating real-time switching of microbial organisms from growth to production mode. This innovative approach stabilizes production strains against genetic drift, optimizes yield, and enables the use of low-cost and waste-stream carbon sources. Fermeate serves a diverse clientele, including global corporations, innovative startups, and government agencies across industries such as amino acids, proteins, specialty chemicals, and flavors and fragrances, with a focus on markets in North America, Europe, and Asia.Fermeate generates revenue through partnerships and direct sales of its optogenetic control technology to industrial fermentation clients. The company's transactions often involve long-term collaborations with partners to tailor solutions that align with specific production needs and efficiency goals. By implementing its hardware module into existing bioreactor systems, Fermeate facilitates a streamlined integration process, minimizing costs and operational downtime for its clients. The revenue model is primarily B2B, focusing on contract agreements that detail the installation and ongoing support of the technology, with specific pricing plans not disclosed to reflect a customized approach to each client's needs in the fermentation landscape.In March 2026, Fermeate, Inc. raised USD 2.525 mn in Seed funding to support the expansion of its optogenetics platform for regulating gene expression in microbial fermentation. The company plans to introduce new products aimed at enhancing the efficiency of fermentation processes and is targeting expansion into additional geographic regions, specifically in Europe and Asia, by 2027. The recent funding will be strategically utilized to further develop its technology offerings and support increased market penetration.

## Funding rounds

- Seed, Mar 31, 2026, $2.5M — Newfund, SOSV, Plug and Play, Momentum Capital, Heuristic Capital Partners, Ag Startup Engine, Tesserakt Ventures, Ki Tua Fund, Ajinomoto Group Ventures

## Investors

- Newfund (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/newfund) — Seed
- SOSV (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/sosv) — Seed
- Plug and Play (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/plug-and-play) — Seed
- Momentum Capital — Seed
- Heuristic Capital Partners (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/heuristic-capital-partners) — Seed
- Ag Startup Engine (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/ag-startup-engine) — Seed
- Tesserakt Ventures (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/tesserakt-ventures) — Seed
- Ki Tua Fund (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/ki-tua-fund) — Seed
- Ajinomoto Group Ventures — Seed