Company Overview
About C16 Biosciences
C16 Biosciences is a biotechnology company founded in 2017 by David Heller, Irina Gerry, and Harry McNamara and headquartered in New York City. The company developed a proprietary biomanufacturing platform that uses engineered yeast fermentation to produce Palmless — a sustainable, palm oil-equivalent ingredient designed for beauty, personal care, and food applications. Palm oil is one of the most widely used commodity oils in the world, but its production is responsible for massive tropical deforestation, habitat destruction, and biodiversity loss, particularly in Indonesia and Malaysia. C16's fermentation approach produces oils with the same functional performance as palm oil — high saturation, solid at room temperature, neutral flavor — without any agricultural land conversion.
Business Model & Competitive Advantage
The company's technology leverages oleaginous yeast strains that naturally accumulate high levels of lipids during fermentation. C16 engineers these strains to produce specific fatty acid profiles that match the functional properties required by formulators in the cosmetics and food industries. The result is a drop-in ingredient that requires no reformulation, allowing brands to substitute conventional palm oil with Palmless while maintaining product performance. C16 raised a $20M Series A led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures — Bill Gates' climate investment fund — with participation from Prelude Ventures and other investors, reflecting the strong alignment between its mission and climate-focused capital.
Competitive Landscape 2025–2026
C16 Biosciences targets cosmetic ingredient suppliers, personal care brands, and food manufacturers seeking credible palm-free alternatives to meet sustainability commitments and consumer demand for ethical sourcing. The company's Palmless brand is positioned as a premium, certified sustainable ingredient with a transparent and traceable supply chain — a key differentiator in an industry where greenwashing claims around existing "sustainable palm oil" certifications (such as RSPO) remain controversial.
Key Differentiators
Emerging Innovator
C16 Biosciences is an emerging player bringing innovative solutions to the Life Sciences & BioTech market.
Frequently Asked Questions
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