Ashley Beckwith, with a background in biology, materials, and manufacturing, shifted her focus to plant-based biomanufacturing due to the urgent need to address the crisis facing plant populations.
With 40% of plant species at risk of extinction and dwindling forest landscapes, Beckwith recognized the potential of biomanufacturing to create harvest-free plant-based materials, seeds, and molecules.
Overcoming Challenges in Plant Biomanufacturing
Biomanufacturing, while established for a century, has faced limited application in plants due to the unique nature of each species.
Foray Bioscience is revolutionizing this field with its database approach, providing predictive insights and experimental guidance to accelerate research and development for various plant species.
Reducing Environmental Impact
“At Foray, we’re developing advanced tools for plant-less production to lessen our demands on these resources and begin to give back,” Beckwith explains.
The Cambridge-based startup recently secured a $3 million seed round led by ReGen Ventures, a firm focused on planet-restoring technologies, with participation from Engine Ventures, Understorey Ventures, and Superorganism.
Bridging the Gap between Disciplines
Beckwith acknowledges the interdisciplinary nature of Foray’s work, spanning manufacturing, biology, and conservation.
This cross-disciplinary approach posed challenges during fundraising but also motivated the company’s founding to bridge the gap in plant biomanufacturing research.
Expanding Applications and Conservation Efforts
Foray is actively collaborating with other companies, providing research and development roadmaps and commercialization strategies for biomanufacturing.
The company’s vision extends to creating a genetic banking system for plant seeds, particularly those difficult to document, enabling new growth from a few cells. This initiative holds significant potential for conservation efforts.
A Parallel with Lab-Grown Alternatives
Foray’s technology and mission share similarities with the rise of lab-grown meat and seafood. Both aim to replace natural products with lab-grown alternatives that are less harmful to the environment.
While lab-grown meat is further along in development, Beckwith remains optimistic about Foray’s future in achieving similar sustainability goals.
Ensuring Resource Efficiency for the Future
With a growing human population and increasing demands on natural resources, Beckwith emphasizes the importance of resource efficiency for long-term sustainability.
Foray’s tools offer a way to transcend natural constraints, deriving more from less, thereby reducing the environmental footprint while still meeting society’s needs for essential goods.