baCta, a startup, has secured €3.3 million in pre-seed funding to produce biosynthetic, carbon-negative natural rubber using engineered microorganisms and renewable feedstocks. The funding round was led by OVNI Capital, with participation from Kima Ventures, Sharpstone Capital, and influential business angels. The startup is advised by renowned scientists and biotech founders. baCta’s technology leverages a synthetic organelles platform and diversifies feedstock sources to achieve negative carbon footprint. The company aims to decarbonize the rubber industry, which is a critical raw material with a 40 billion dollar market. Currently, half of the world’s supply is derived from petrochemicals, and the other half from Hevea rubber trees, which are threatened by climate change and deforestation. The funds will be used to further research, expand the team, and increase production capabilities. The company plans to manufacture the first prototypes with leading companies in fashion and industry, and eventually produce a platform to produce carbon-negative isoprenoids, a large chunk of the petro-chemical industry.
Paris-based startup baCta lands €3.3 million investment to disrupt the natural rubber industry with game-changing production methods
