Science VC

Biodiversity as an Advantage

Galit is a Managing Partner at Danta Fund, a VC firm that backs early-stage agritech startups in Latin America. Danta Fund has the mission of filling three main voids in Latin America: funding in early-stage agri-tech startups, mentorship to guide their founders, and connection with larger markets to help them grow.

Topics in this episode

0:00 Intro
0:57 Galit’s Path From Founder to VC  
5:12 How Danta’s Mentors Help Startups  
7:08 Danta’s North Star for Startup Selection  
9:24 What Makes an LOI Count  
10:37 Helping Startups Enter Global Markets  
14:28 How Corporates Can Engage Startups  
21:57 Why Danta Passes on Startups  
25:08 Common Founder Aha Moments  
26:49 Why LPs Join Startup Interviews  
31:50 What Founders Miss About VCs  
33:35 How LATAM Agtech Differs Globally  
38:04 Finding & Validating Customers  
41:21 What Drives Demand for Sustainability  
44:50 Saying No to High-Risk Startups  
47:17 Why Danta Focuses on the U.S.  
52:27 Who Should Apply to Danta Fund  
53:32 Connect With Galit 

Connect with Galit on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/galitflasterstein/
Follow Danta Fund on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/danta-fund/
Visit Danta Fund's Website and Subscribe to their Newsletter https://dantafund.com/
Email Galit [email protected]

Connect with JP Orlov on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jp-orlov/
Follow Science VC on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/science-vc
Follow Science VC on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/science.vc

Subscribe to Science VC on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ScienceVC
Subscribe to our Newsletter https://substack.com/@jporlov

Learn how WeArePalta can help your deeptech company communicate its science and impact https://www.wearepalta.com/

Why not Tulsa?

Michael is the Founder, CEO, and General Partner of Atento Capital, a pre-seed and seed-stage VC firm focused on partnering with founders to build technology around healthcare, climate-tech, and business services.

Topics in this episode

0:00 Intro
1:13 Michael’s Career Journey: From Founder to VC
4:07 The Origin Story of Atento Capital
5:04 Backing from the George Kaiser Family Foundation
10:13 Why Atento Capital Partnered with GRIDX
12:50 Tulsa’s Startup Ecosystem
20:43 How Being a Founder Shapes Michael’s Investment Approach
25:40 Explaining Science Simply to Investors
30:42 The Convergence of Exponential Technologies
34:19 Capital Concentration in Mega Funds
46:01 What to Include in Effective Investor Updates
48:18 Inside the Atento Capital x GRIDX Demo Day
50:35 What’s Next for Atento Capital
52:02 Connect With Michael

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn   https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikebasch/
Follow Atento Capital on LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/company/atento-capital/posts/?feedView=all 
Visit Atento Capital’s Website https://www.atentocapital.com/ 

Connect with JP Orlov on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jp-orlov/
Follow Science VC on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/science-vc
Follow Science VC on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/science.vc

Subscribe to Science VC on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4XcR1Efx8SUqZqMZROQfQl
Subscribe to our Newsletter https://substack.com/@jporlov

Learn how WeArePalta can help your deeptech company communicate its science and impact https://www.wearepalta.com/

Are there unique ideas anymore?

Khoa Ma is an Associate Director at Endless Frontier Labs, a program at NYU Stern School of Business for early-stage science and technology startups. 

Topics in this episode

0:00 Intro
1:07 Khoa’s Career Path
3:22 How Endless Frontier Labs Evaluates Startups
8:45 What Gets Startups Into Endless Frontier Labs
11:22 Most Impressive Startup Pitch
14:49 Maximizing Mentor Relationships
18:38 Building Investor Connections
26:20 Measuring Success Beyond Funding
29:33 Showing Traction Pre-Revenue
33:16 VC Blind Spots in Deeptech
36:32 Separating Sci-Fi From Reality
39:13 Underrated Deeptech Opportunities
42:31 Communicating Urgency to Investors
45:14 Founders’ Aha Moments
48:50 Best Cold Outreach Examples
51:55 No Unique Ideas Anymore
57:28 Reading Books vs. Doing
1:00:22 Who Should Apply to Endless Frontier Labs
1:01:46 Connect With Khoa

Connect with Khoa on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/khoahma/
Follow Endless Frontier Labs on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/endlessfrontierlabs/posts/?feedView=all

Connect with JP Orlov on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jp-orlov/
Follow Science VC on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/science-vc
Follow Science VC on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/science.vc

Subscribe to Science VC on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ScienceVC
Subscribe to our Newsletter https://substack.com/@jporlov

Learn how WeArePalta can help your deeptech company communicate its science and impact https://www.wearepalta.com/

Can a single innovation unlock multiple billion-dollar markets?

Larissa is the CEO of APEXzymes, a Brazilian biotech startup that produces cost-effective enzymes for sustainable industrial applications. During our conversation, Larissa shares her journey from chemical engineering to venture capital and entrepreneurship.

Topics in this episode

0:00 Intro
1:06 From Chemical Engineer to VC to Founder
4:56 Why Leave Venture Capital to Build a Startup?
6:38 How Self-Doubt Can Drive Innovation
8:25 Advice Before Starting APEXzymes
9:34 What Are Enzymes and Why Do They Matter?
12:19 APEXzymes’ Value Proposition
13:40 What Investors Miss About APEXzymes
17:13 Key Markets: Biofuels, Cattle Feed & More
19:48 How Enzymes Boost Productivity and Cut Methane
22:11 Early Commercial Traction
23:58 Communicating Traction to Investors
27:50 Turning Enzyme Strains Into Patentable Assets
32:43 Balancing Focus vs. Market Size
38:12 Lessons from Fundraising and Non-Dilutive Grants
43:33 What GRIDX Saw in APEXzymes
46:05 Building Trust With Co-Founders
49:00 Aligning Weekly Tasks With Long-Term Vision
55:22 What’s Next for APEXzymes?

Follow APEXzymes on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/apexzymes/posts/?feedView=all
Connect with Larissa on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/larissadefv/
Email Larissa [email protected]

Connect with JP Orlov on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jp-orlov/
Follow Science VC on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/science-vc
Follow Science VC on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/science.vc

Subscribe to Science VC on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ScienceVC
Subscribe to our Newsletter https://substack.com/@jporlov

Learn how WeArePalta can help your deeptech company communicate its science and impact https://www.wearepalta.com/

Is it possible to transform carbon emissions into everyday products?

Alex is the CEO of CERT Systems, a Canadian climatetech startup that converts CO2 emissions into high-value chemicals. In this episode, Alex shares his journey from the lab bench to raising non-dilutive capital.

Topics in this episode

0:00 Intro 
1:16 Founding CERT Systems 
3:14 Why Now for CO2 Conversion? 
5:33 Unlocking Commercial Potential 
8:52 Communicating Sustainability 
10:45 Why Petrochemical Companies Care 
13:59 Integrating CERT’s Tech 
16:33 Why Investors Should Pay Attention 
21:29 Biggest Bottleneck for CO2 Chemicals 
24:36 Best Markets for CERT’s Tech 
29:14 Scaling from Lab to Market 
33:08 First Adopters of CO2 Ethylene 
37:07 Ethylene’s Role in Aviation Fuel 
41:43 Raising Non-Dilutive Funding 
44:28 De-Risking Climate Tech Startups 
47:52 Protecting IP in Deeptech 
54:15 CERT’s Role in Sustainability’s Future 
56:18 What’s Next for CERT? 

Connect with Alex on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ipalex/?originalSubdomain=ca
Follow CERT on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/co2cert/posts/?feedView=all
Email Alex [email protected]

Connect with JP Orlov on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jp-orlov/
Follow Science VC on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/science-vc
Follow Science VC on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/science.vc

Subscribe to Science VC on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ScienceVC
Subscribe to our Newsletter https://substack.com/@jporlov

Learn how WeArePalta can help your deeptech company communicate its science and impact https://www.wearepalta.com/

There is a lot of stigma around psychedelics.

Vicky is the CEO of EYWA, a biotech startup that produces molecules for mental health treatments. In this episode, we discussed the fundraising process for a startup working with psychedelics and the stigma surrounding the industry.

Topics in this episode

0:00 Intro  
1:07 Founding EYWA  
3:53 Advice for Startup Founders in LATAM  
8:51 What is Biosynthesis?  
12:34 What Molecules is EYWA Focusing On?  
13:35 How to Show Commercial Traction Before Regulatory Approval?  
15:03 The Psychedelics Ecosystem  
16:26 Scientific Data About Psychedelics  
23:51 What is EYWA's Business Model?  
25:49 How Does IP Shape an R&D Roadmap?  
27:56 Why Use AI and Bioinformatics?  
33:27 Regulatory Landscape for Psychedelics  
40:14 The Investors' Perception of Psychedelics  
44:17 EYWA's Most Recent Funding Round  
46:14 Building Relationships with Investors  
51:02 EYWA's Fundraising Plans  
51:37 Recording a TV Show with Tim and Adam Draper  
53:43 What's Next for EYWA  

Connect with Vicky on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-costa-paz-a83499b2/
Follow EYWA on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/eywabio/posts/?feedView=all 
Follow EYWA on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/eywa.bio/

Connect with JP Orlov on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jp-orlov/
Follow Science VC on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/science-vc
Follow Science VC on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/science.vc

Subscribe to Science VC on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ScienceVC
Subscribe to our Newsletter https://substack.com/@jporlov

Learn how WeArePalta can help your deeptech company communicate its science and impact https://www.wearepalta.com/

Investors don’t care how fancy your tech is.

Diego is the CEO of Qnity, a pharmatech startup that uses quantum electrochemistry to develop devices for drug discovery and screening. In this episode, we discuss his lessons as a second-time founder and his insights on fundraising in the deeptech space.

Topics in this episode

0:00 Intro
1:26 How Was Qnity Founded?
3:58 What Is Krilltech?
7:39 What Is Smart Money?
9:12 How to Talk About Deeptech to Investors
16:27 How to Build a Product Roadmap
22:49 Creating Interest and Managing Investor Objections
28:15 Advice for Deeptech Founders
31:31 Partnering with Oxford University
34:45 Marketing Strategies for Deeptech Startups
38:51 Understanding the Drug Discovery Market
41:37 Inside Qnity's Fundraising Journey
44:15 Expanding the Team
45:27 Fundraising Milestones for a Seed Round
48:22 Challenges in Building Client Relationships
50:08 How to Find the Right Capital for Your Startup
51:55 The Most Important Trait of a Deeptech Founder
57:29 What's Next for Qnity?

Connect with Diego on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/diegostoneaires/?originalSubdomain=br
Follow Qnity on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/qnity/posts/?feedView=all
Visit Qnity’s Website http://qnity.bio/

Connect with JP Orlov on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jp-orlov/
Follow Science VC on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/science-vc
Follow Science VC on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/science.vc

Subscribe to Science VC on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ScienceVC
Subscribe to our Newsletter https://substack.com/@jporlov

Learn how WeArePalta can help your deeptech company communicate its science and impact https://www.wearepalta.com/

Why do founders have to be very picky about what VCs they approach?

Gerardo Bluske is the Chief Business Officer of ByBug, a biotech startup that creates therapeutics for animals using black soldier flies. In this episode, Gerardo shares his insights about business development and fundraising.

Topics in this episode

0:00 Intro
1:27 Who Is Gerardo Bluske?
2:13 How Was ByBug Founded?
6:47 What Does ByBug Actually Do?
11:57 ByBug's Business Model Explained
18:41 ByBug's Funding Journey
21:29 How to Stand Out to Investors
25:56 Advice for Founders on Data Rooms
32:03 Inside ByBug's Seed Round
35:57 How to Create Commercial Traction
42:16 The Risks of Not Protecting Your IP Properly
44:49 Will the GMO Regulatory Landscape Change?
49:17 Expanding and Managing an International Team
51:55 What Does Company Culture Really Mean?
54:24 What's Next for ByBug?

Connect with Gerardo on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerardobluske/
Follow ByBug on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/bybug/
Follow ByBug on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bybug_inc?igsh=Y252ZXU4cWhtNGFm

Connect with JP Orlov on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jp-orlov/
Follow Science VC on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/science-vc
Follow Science VC on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/science.vc

Subscribe to Science VC on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ScienceVC
Subscribe to our Newsletter https://substack.com/@jporlov

Learn how WeArePalta can help your deeptech company communicate its science and impact https://www.wearepalta.com/