Proof of DeSci

Most biotech ideas don’t fail because they’re wrong. They fail because they’re never tested.

In this episode of Proof of DeSci, we dive into Primordia, a new initiative designed to unlock early-stage biotech experimentation through microgrants of up to $3,000.  

Joined by Elliot Roth (Biopunk Community Lab), Zoe Isabel Senón, Albert Anis, and Morgan Richards from ValleyDAO., we explore the broken funding gap between idea and execution, why traditional grants and VCs miss early-stage science, and how Primordia is enabling researchers, students, and independent builders to run their first experiments.

We cover:

• Why most scientific ideas never get tested
• How $3K can be enough to kickstart real biotech innovation
• The role of community labs and open science
• What kind of projects Primordia is looking to fund
• How to apply and what makes a strong application
• The long-term vision for decentralized biotech funding

If you’ve ever had a scientific idea but didn’t know where to start, this episode is for you.

Links 👇

https://primordiagrants.com/ 

https://x.com/PrimordiaGrants

https://www.linkedin.com/company/primordia-grants/

Proof of DeSci 2025 Year in Review & Plans for 2026

2025 marked a turning point for ValleyDAO, a year defined by growth, maturation, and real-world validation of decentralized science.

Read the End of 2025 Report: https://valleydao.medium.com/2025-year-in-review-when-desci-stopped-being-an-experiment-plans-for-2026-e5b226f2165b 

In this episode, we look back at the milestones that shaped the ecosystem, from expanding the core team and advancing flagship research projects to strengthening governance and pushing technologies closer to commercialization.

Albert and Morgan join us to unpack what it actually takes to fund climate biotech, translate research into viable products, and build infrastructure that supports scientists beyond traditional funding models.

We dive into:

• Hempy’s transition from funded research to a market-ready biotech hoodie
• Cocoa Zero’s progress toward locally produced, sustainable fats
• Tattva’s carbon-negative construction materials
• Primordia and the rise of community-driven biotech experimentation
• The role of the $GROW token in supporting innovation
• Phlo, ValleyDAO’s AI-powered platform designed to help researchers de-risk technologies, develop business models, and secure funding

We also discuss the realities of building in DeSci, navigating crypto cycles, staying science-first, and attracting contributors capable of turning ambition into execution.

Looking ahead, 2026 is about pilots, partnerships, and deployment: integrating ValleyDAO technologies with industry, publicly launching Phlo, and continuing to bridge the gap between research and real-world impact.

If you’re curious about where decentralized science is heading, and how biotech moves from lab benches to scalable solutions, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of Proof of DeSci, we dive deep into one of the world’s most carbon-intensive industries, construction, and explore how biotechnology can help rebuild it sustainably. Our guest, Prantar Tamuli, founder of Tattva, joins us to discuss Stromate, a living, carbon-negative biomaterial that uses cyanobacteria to sequester CO₂ while offering fire safety, translucency, and strength comparable to conventional materials.

Prantar shares his two-decade journey from architecture to biotech, the breakthrough that led to StrowMate’s creation, and how Tattva’s innovative process could help decarbonize global infrastructure. He’s joined by Albert Annis, co-founder of ValleyDAO, who explains why ValleyDAO decided to fund Tattva and how the project embodies the mission of using biology to tackle climate change.

Together, they unpack the challenges of scaling living materials, navigating regulation, and building industry partnerships, while teasing the upcoming Tattva IP token, which will bring this revolutionary technology directly into the homes (and portfolios) of DeSci supporters.

A must-listen episode for anyone curious about the intersection of climate, construction, and synthetic biology, and how DeSci is turning science into scalable climate solutions.

In this episode of Proof of DeSci, we’re joined by Daniel (Head of Competition) and Tim (Co-founder of First Approval) to talk about the Student Biological Data Competition 2025, a global initiative empowering students to publish and share biological datasets, practice reproducible science, and gain visibility early in their careers.

We explore the big picture of open science: why reproducibility, transparency, and data sharing are crucial for scientific progress, and how changing the mindset of the next generation of scientists can help create a more collaborative and open culture in research.

You’ll also hear how First Approval is building tools and infrastructure for data publication, why negative results matter, and how decentralized technologies like IPFS could play a role in the future of open data.

If you’re a student, researcher, or simply curious about how science can evolve beyond the limitations of traditional publishing, this is a must-listen.

In this episode of Proof of DeSci, we sit down with Jake Wintermute, synthetic biologist, science communicator, and former developer evangelist at Ginkgo Bioworks, to explore the future of decentralized science. 

Together with Albert and Morgan from ValleyDAO, we dive into the big themes shaping DeSci today: how lab automation and cloud labs could transform decentralized research, the role of DIY bio and iGEM as models for distributed science, and why culture, cost, and education are just as important as technology. 

We also discuss the narrative challenges facing climate science, the opportunities DeSci creates as an alternative career path for young researchers, and even how memes and humor can become powerful tools for building community and communicating science. 

Equal parts serious and fun, this episode captures the spirit of DeSci as a movement reimagining how science gets funded, executed, and shared.

In this episode of Proof of DeSci, we’re joined by Erik from Bio.xyz to unpack one of the most anticipated updates in the DeSci space, BIO V2. We dive into how V2 changes access, participation, and opportunities for builders and backers, and what this means for the future of decentralized biotech funding.

Alongside Erik, we explore the pulse of DeSci Summer, the signals showing real market traction, and how community-driven models are shifting the balance away from purely speculative funding. From accessibility and equity to staking dynamics and new experimental launches, this conversation captures where DeSci is heading next, and why it matters.

If you want a clear, insider’s view on the next chapter of DeSci, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Proof of DeSci, we sit down with Caroline and Eshwar, winners of the Phlo Hackathon, to talk about their project Pearlfect Millet, a synthetic biology idea aiming to optimize millet for better taste and resilience. We dive into their scientific backgrounds, what drew them into DeSci, and how they leveraged Phlo’s research agents to go from idea to execution in just a few days.

They share their experience using Phlo for literature review, business strategy, and validating core assumptions. We also explore how new tools like Phlo can reduce friction for early-stage biotech innovation and what kind of support next-gen researchers are looking for.

If you’re into DeSci, AI for science, or early-stage biotech, you don’t want to miss this one.

In this episode of Proof of DeSci, we explore the power of community and creators in shaping the future of decentralized science. Joined by That Investor,  Andrew Hemingway, Morgan and Albert from ValleyDAO, we dive into how DeSci communities are flipping the script on traditional science funding, why content creators and influencers are becoming vital to the movement, and how crypto-native culture is accelerating interest in climate biotech. From the speed of funding to the value of storytelling, this conversation unpacks the cultural shift happening at the intersection of crypto and science, and why embracing memes, media, and unconventional voices might be the key to scaling impact.

In this episode of Proof of DeSci, we’re joined by Michael Luciani, co-founder of Juniper VC, a climate biotech-focused venture firm backing the next wave of synthetic biology and sustainable innovation.

We dig into:

• How Juniper VC sees biotech beyond pharma, investing in food, materials, and planetary health
• The real opportunities in climate biotech, from biomining to engineered agriculture
• Why Juniper is betting on DeSci and what led them to invest in ValleyDAO
• How AI, declining biomanufacturing costs, and alternative funding models are reshaping the biotech landscape
• The valley of death in climate biotech, and how communities like ValleyDAO can help researchers cross it faster

Michael also shares his thoughts on the growing synergy between VCs and decentralized science, how consumer biotech can drive mainstream awareness, and why we’re entering a new golden era for engineered biology.

If you care about the future of science, climate solutions, or building outside the old institutions, this one’s for you.

In this exciting episode of Proof of DeSci, we’re joined by Dr. Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro and Dr. Oliver Konzock from Imperial College London to dive deep into the Cocoa Zero project, an innovative effort to produce sustainable cocoa fats using synthetic biology. Led by ValleyDAO’s support, this project is a game-changer in the chocolate industry, offering a solution to the rising cocoa prices driven by climate change and supply chain disruptions.

Rodrigo and Oliver share their journey behind engineering yeast strains to produce cocoa fats, which mimic the qualities of traditional cocoa butter. With this breakthrough, the team is one step closer to creating a DeSci-powered chocolate bar, making sustainability delicious. We’ll also explore how DeSci is not just an idea, but a rapidly growing force driving real-world innovation.

Join us as we explore the intersection of science, sustainability, and innovation, and how projects like Cocoa Zero prove that DeSci is here to stay and thrive.

Don’t miss this fascinating conversation, and be sure to tune in to hear how you can support and get involved in funding revolutionary projects like Cocoa Zero.