120. Busting Biotech's Bottlenecks: Veronica Breckenridge on the Path to Industrial Scale

Karl and Erum sit down with Veronica Breckenridge, founder of First Bight Ventures, to discuss how the convergence of biology and technology is driving the biggest innovations of the 21st century. Drawing from her deep tech background, including her time at Apple, Veronica explores rapid advancements in genome sequencing, AI-driven biotech, and the vast untapped potential of microbes, emphasizing why now is the time to harness biology to tackle global challenges in health, nutrition, sustainability, and manufacturing. From synthetic biology startups to biomanufacturing at scale, this episode delves into the future of biomaterials and how venture capital can accelerate the next wave of biotech breakthroughs—making it a must-listen for anyone interested in scaling biotech innovations, investing in the bioeconomy, or exploring the intersection of computation and biology.

Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?

Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - How Biology is Moving Faster Than Moore’s Law
• 00:00:17 - Checking In from Panama
• 00:00:42 - Exploring Panama City’s Biotech Potential
• 00:01:26 - A Futuristic Robot Massage Experience
• 00:02:11 - Reflecting on International Women's Day
• 00:02:40 - Networking with Women in Biotech in Brooklyn
• 00:05:27 - Inside the Merck Digital Sciences Studio Event
• 00:06:19 - Breakthroughs Shaping the Future of Drug Development
• 00:07:15 - The Biggest Hurdles for Startups in Pharma
• 00:16:20 - A Deep Dive with Veronica Breckenridge
• 00:30:41 - Why Manufacturability Matters in Biotech
• 00:31:28 - The Role of Research and Pilot Facilities
• 00:33:48 - How Scientific Founders Can Accelerate Their Business
• 00:35:25 - Houston’s Rising Status in Biomanufacturing
• 00:39:12 - The Power of Collaboration and Mentorship
• 00:43:04 - What It Takes to Scale and Commercialize Biotech Innovations
• 00:48:12 - First Bight Ventures’ Approach to Investing in the Bioeconomy
• 00:51:26 - Building the Biotech Ecosystem & What’s Coming Next
• 00:54:28 - Final Advice for Startups Looking to Scale

Links and Resources:

• First Bight Ventures  
• Biowell - nonprofit accelerator
• The Machine That Changed the World (book)
• Cemvita (company)  / Grow Everything Episode with CEO Moji Karimi
• Industrial Microbes (company) / Grow Everything Episode with CEO Noah Helman

Topics Covered: 

biomanufacturing, biotech startups, biotech investing, biomanufacturing pilot plants, Houston economic development, synbio

Have a question or comment? Message us here:

Text or Call (804) 505-5553 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠

Email: groweverything@messaginglab.com

Music by: Nihilore