Anthrogen Company Profile

Background

Anthrogen, formerly known as Arctic Capture, is a biotechnology startup founded in 2023 by Columbia University students Ankit Singhal, Connor Lee, and Vignesh Karthik. The company is dedicated to developing scalable, carbon-negative chemical manufacturing processes by leveraging genetically engineered bacteria and artificial intelligence (AI). Their mission is to create affordable, sustainable alternatives to traditional fossil fuel-based chemicals and fuels, thereby contributing to the reduction of global carbon emissions.

Key Strategic Focus

Anthrogen's strategic focus centers on:

• Enzyme Optimization: Utilizing AI-driven models to design and optimize enzyme sequences, enhancing the efficiency of biochemical reactions.

• Microbial Engineering: Employing CRISPR technology to genetically modify photosynthetic bacteria, resulting in organisms that capture atmospheric CO₂ and convert it into valuable chemicals and fuels.

• Sustainable Chemical Production: Aiming to produce chemicals and fuels at 80% of the cost of their fossil fuel-derived counterparts, making sustainable alternatives more accessible and economically viable.

Financials and Funding

Anthrogen has successfully secured funding to support its research and development initiatives:

• Pre-Seed Funding: In June 2024, Anthrogen joined Y Combinator's Summer 2024 batch, closing its pre-seed round with investments from Y Combinator, angel investors Justin Wenig and Nick Diao, the Overture accelerator, and a non-dilutive Columbia Venture Competition grant.

• Seed Funding: In November 2024, the company raised $4 million in a seed funding round co-led by Regen Ventures and BoxGroup, with participation from Y Combinator, Wayfinder, and angel investors including Paul Graham.

Pipeline Development

Anthrogen is in the research and development phase, focusing on:

• Enzyme Discovery and Optimization: Collaborating with Stanford University's Fordyce Lab to develop high-throughput, automated methods for screening and characterizing novel enzymes.

• Microbial Engineering: Enhancing photosynthetic bacteria to increase growth rates and efficiency in converting CO₂ into valuable chemicals.

• Product Development: Initially targeting the production of sustainable jet and rocket fuels, with plans to expand into other chemical verticals in the future.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Anthrogen's technological platform is distinguished by:

• Proprietary Technologies: Development of AI-driven models for enzyme design and optimization, enabling efficient biochemical reactions.

• Scientific Methodologies: Application of CRISPR gene-editing technology to engineer photosynthetic bacteria capable of rapid growth and CO₂ conversion.

• AI-Driven Capabilities: Utilization of generative models to design enzymatic cascades, facilitating the production of complex molecules from atmospheric carbon.

Leadership Team

• Ankit Singhal, CEO and Co-founder: Science Research Fellow and Named Scholar at Columbia University, with expertise in biophysics and applied mathematics.

• Connor Lee, CTO and Co-founder: Former President of Columbia Robotics and researcher at Columbia's ROAM Lab, specializing in robotics and applied mathematics.

• Vignesh Karthik, COO and Co-founder: Conducted machine learning and geology research at the Naval Research Laboratory and Columbia's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, with a background in geology and applied mathematics.

Leadership Changes

As of May 2025, there have been no significant changes or appointments within Anthrogen's leadership team.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The global chemical industry, valued at approximately $4.7 trillion, is a significant contributor to carbon emissions. The demand for sustainable and cost-effective chemical production methods is increasing, driven by environmental concerns and regulatory pressures.

Competitor Analysis

• Twelve: Focuses on producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using electrochemical processes that convert CO₂ into fuel.

• Air Company: Utilizes electrochemical methods to transform CO₂ into alcohols and fuels, requiring substantial electricity inputs.

Anthrogen differentiates itself by employing a biological pathway that leverages photosynthetic bacteria and AI-designed enzymes, potentially offering greater energy efficiency and scalability compared to electrochemical approaches.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

• Stanford University's Fordyce Lab: Partnering to accelerate enzyme discovery and optimization through high-throughput, automated screening methods.

Operational Insights

Anthrogen's competitive advantages include:

• Energy Efficiency: Utilizing sunlight and atmospheric CO₂ in biological processes, reducing reliance on external energy sources.

• Cost Competitiveness: Aiming to produce chemicals and fuels at a lower cost than fossil fuel-derived products, enhancing market adoption.

• Scalability: Engineering microbes for rapid growth and high-throughput production, facilitating large-scale operations.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Anthrogen's strategic roadmap includes:

• Product Diversification: Expanding beyond jet and rocket fuels to produce a broader range of sustainable chemicals and materials.

• Technology Scaling: Enhancing AI models and microbial engineering techniques to improve efficiency and output.

• Market Expansion: Targeting industries seeking sustainable chemical solutions, including plastics, textiles, and pharmaceuticals.

Contact Information

• Website: Anthrogen

• LinkedIn: Anthrogen LinkedIn

• Headquarters: San Francisco, CA, United States