Zymergen specializes in bio-manufacturing and synthetic biology, producing microbe-based crop protection and nutrition inputs alongside advanced bio-derived materials. Its innovations included Hyaline, a high-performance film used in optics, sensors, and electronics. Zymergen also engineered microbes and proteins to boost nutrient uptake and improve crop traits.
Serving agriculture, electronics, and industrial applications, Zymergen leveraged automation, machine learning, and genomics to accelerate material discovery.
What Is Zymergen and What Does It Do?
Zymergen, founded in 2013 by Jed Dean, Zach Serber, and Josh Hoffman, is headquartered in Emeryville, United States. The company develops microbe-based crop inputs, including bio-derived crop protection and nutrition solutions, and innovates advanced films such as Hyaline for electronics and optics.
Zymergen employs 542 Employees, focusing on engineered microbes, high-performance materials, and protein discovery to improve plant health and industrial applications.
The company combines machine learning, robotics, and genomics to accelerate material development and biological manufacturing at scale.
How Much Funding Has Zymergen Raised?
1. Series D
- Amount Raised: $300M
- Date: September 2020
- Lead Investors: Baillie Gifford, True Ventures, DCVC, SoftBank Vision Fund
- Motivation: To scale bio-manufacturing capabilities and accelerate the commercialization of Hyaline and other bio-derived materials.
2. Series C
- Amount Raised: $406M
- Date: December 2018
- Lead Investors: SoftBank Vision Fund, Hanwha, DCVC
- Motivation: To expand R&D pipelines, enhance material-discovery platforms, and accelerate global expansion.
3. Series B
- Amount Raised: $130M
- Date: October 2016
- Lead Investors: DCVC, SoftBank Capital, True Ventures
- Motivation: To scale lab automation, strengthen microbial engineering, and support early commercialization efforts.
Total Funding Raised: $883 Million
Latest Funding Date: September 2020
Key Investors
1. SoftBank Vision Fund
- Details: One of the world’s largest technology investment funds, backing transformative, category-defining companies.
- Investment Focus Areas: Robotics, AI, advanced materials, biotech.
- Notable Investments: Zymergen, NVIDIA, Uber, Guardant Health.
2. DCVC (Data Collective)
- Details: Deep-tech focused VC firm investing in companies solving complex global challenges.
- Investment Focus Areas: Computational biology, robotics, AI, climate tech.
- Notable Investments: Recursion, Pivot Bio, AbCellera.
3. True Ventures
- Details: Early-stage venture firm backing founders building frontier, tech-enabled companies.
- Investment Focus Areas: Synthetic biology, computational tech, consumer and enterprise software.
- Notable Investments: Fitbit, Peloton, Zymergen.
4. Baillie Gifford
- Details: Global investment management firm known for backing long-term, innovation-driven companies.
- Investment Focus Areas: Deep tech, life sciences, sustainable innovation.
- Notable Investments: Tesla, Moderna, Illumina.
Where Is Zymergen’s Headquarters?
Zymergen was headquartered in Emeryville, California, a strategic location near world-class biotechnology hubs, research institutions, and a strong talent pool in synthetic biology and automation.
What’s Next for Zymergen?
Following its acquisition, Zymergen’s technology, platforms, and talent continue to contribute to next-generation material discovery and bio-manufacturing. The company’s automation-driven biology stack is expected to enhance large-scale industrial applications, improve crop-tech innovation, and accelerate the development of sustainable materials across electronics, agriculture, and consumer goods.
Get Investor & Funding Insights with TexAu
TexAu helps sales and business teams uncover detailed fundraising information on companies like Zymergen. Use the platform to research investors, track funding rounds, and gather actionable insights to strengthen prospecting and business strategy.
Sign Up for Free on TexAu and start uncovering detailed funding insights that give your business a competitive edge.
