The Palm Oil Problem and Fermentation as a Solution

SP Investment Fund, LLC has invested in more than 100 affordable housing communities as well as a myriad of companies that are developing emerging technologies that will benefit the world. Many of SP Investment Fund, LLC’s emerging technology investments have been in the biotechnology and life sciences sector. One of these investments is a seed stage investment in C16 Biosciences, a company founded by a group of Harvard graduates with a clear vision to reduce the impact of palm oil and deforestation on the environment. C16 subsequently received a Series A investment from Breakthrough Energy, the environmental venture fund founded by Bill Gates.

Palm oil can be found everywhere and in everything from clothes to food and fuel. The palm oil industry takes over across different countries, and rainforests are being destroyed for oil palm trees to be planted instead. By some accounts, palm oil is responsible for 10% of greenhouse gases. C16 Biosciences was created to decrease the environmental footprint of palm oil production to create a better environment.

C16 Biosciences is producing palm oil without palm trees through a process that involves yeast that has been engineered to produce palm oil. . Therefore it does not cause deforestation or endanger sacred species or places of the world. Instead, the palm oil is produced through the much more sustainable process of fermentation which will not destroy the environment.

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