How Do Bacteria Build Materials? (with Jen Keane @ Modern Synthesis)

This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack. If you’d like to manage your Climate Capital Substack subscription, click here.

Disclaimer: For full disclosure, Modern Synthesis is a portfolio company at Climate Capital, where Michael works as a General Partner.

CC Pod is not investment advice and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any investment decision.

Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital!

Join us on the latest episode of CC Pod hosted by Michael Luciani, featuring Jen Keane, Co-founder & CEO of Modern Synthesis!  Discover how Modern Synthesis is revolutionizing sustainable fashion with biotech, crafting circular and customizable natural textiles.

Modern Synthesis is at the forefront of creating sustainable and innovative solutions for fashion and beyond. The company is leveraging the power of biotechnology to develop new materials that could replace harmful synthetic ones currently dominating the industry. Their unique approach involves using microbes to produce a high-performing material called nanocellulose, which holds the promise of transforming the materials industry.

The company's journey began with Keane's curiosity about microbe-produced materials. Armed with a background in fashion and material development from her time at Adidas, she saw an opportunity in microbes' ability to create sustainable and performance-driven materials. This led her to experiment in her own kitchen, where she leveraged a bacterial fermentation process to create a new organism-driven approach to material design.

One of Modern Synthesis' most significant early milestones is the development of a shoe prototype, which not only demonstrated the potential of their technology but also caught the attention of both consumers and industry players. The successful prototype prompted the team to think about scalability and how to retrofit their process within existing manufacturing systems.

Modern Synthesis’ technology is not without controversy. The use of GMOs in speculative applications of the process has raised questions about safety and containment. However, the team is committed to transparency and open dialogue about these issues, ensuring their processes are safe and ethical.

The company's mission extends beyond fashion. They envision their process and materials finding applications in diverse industries such as automotive, electronics, and performance materials. Their ultimate goal is to create materials that can either be recycled or naturally degrade, aligning with nature's way of producing materials.

In the podcast, Keane emphasized the importance of collaborations to bring these new materials to market and make a meaningful impact on the industry. She encouraged industry professionals to engage with Modern Synthesis, indicating that the industry's future relies heavily on these kinds of partnerships.

Modern Synthesis is undoubtedly making significant strides in creating sustainable materials for the fashion industry. Their work might just be the key to solving one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time - plastic pollution. The company is a testament to how innovative biotechnology can lead the way towards a more sustainable future.

Visit modernsynthesis.com to learn more!

Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe