Loading organizations...
§ Private Profile · Alameda, CA, USA
biotechnology company creating sustainable materials and ingredients via microalgae fermentation for consumer and industrial applications.
Based in Berkeley, California, Checkerspot is a biotechnology company that designs high-performance materials and ingredients, including specialized triglyceride fats, oils, and polymers, utilizing advanced microalgae fermentation processes. The organization generates revenue by partnering with downstream processors and consumer brands to supply commercial algae-derived material alternatives for the food, nutrition, personal care, and advanced performance textile and materials sectors. Operating at a 300-liter algae-oil fermentation scale, the enterprise has expanded its operations to include a secondary site in Salt Lake City, growing its workforce to at least 30 full-time employees. In addition to its business-to-business ingredient platforms, Checkerspot commercializes consumer goods directly through its outdoor ski brand WNDR Alpine, while earning institutional recognition from the World Economic Forum, ISC3, and The Digest. Checkerspot was originally founded in 2016 by co-founders Charles Dimmler and Scott Franklin.
Checkerspot has raised $109.0M across 4 funding rounds.
Checkerspot has raised $109.0M in total across 4 funding rounds.
Checkerspot is a biotechnology company that engineers microbes via precision fermentation to produce high-performance, sustainable fats, oils, and materials not easily sourced from nature.[1][2][3] It serves industries like consumer products, food, nutrition, and textiles by creating alternatives such as next-generation polyurethanes, textile finishes, healthier food fats, and bioavailable nutrition lipids, solving problems of supply chain volatility, environmental impact, and performance limitations in traditional materials.[1][2][4] As a B Corp certified since 2019 with a 90.7 impact score, Checkerspot demonstrates strong growth through prototypes like eco-friendly skis under its WNDR Alpine brand and ongoing scaling at facilities like ABPDU.[1][4]
Founded in 2016 by Charles Dimmler and Scott Franklin, Checkerspot emerged from their expertise in microalgae and fermentation, with over 30 years of combined experience developing microalgal strains.[2][3][4] Headquartered in Berkeley, California (with operations in Salt Lake City), the idea stemmed from optimizing microbes to biomanufacture unique triglyceride oils for structural materials, starting with high-performance polyurethanes.[1][3][4] Early traction came via collaborations like the ABPDU, where they scaled from lab fermentations to 300-liter runs, enabling prototypes; this led to the 2019 launch of WNDR Alpine skis, marking a pivotal shift from R&D to consumer products.[4]
Checkerspot rides the sustainable biomaterials and precision fermentation wave, addressing climate-driven demands for bio-based alternatives to petrochemicals and unstable ag-sourced oils amid global supply disruptions.[2][3][4] Timing aligns with rising regulatory pressures for responsible production (SDG 12/13) and consumer preference for high-performance, low-impact goods, amplified by post-2019 scaling successes like branded skis.[1][4] Market forces favoring domestic biotech (e.g., AgFunder-noted reliability) position it strongly in manufacturing and nutrition; it influences the ecosystem by empowering designers/fabricators with novel molecular tools, fostering innovation in outdoor gear, apparel, and food systems.[1][2]
Checkerspot's momentum—from fermentation breakthroughs to commercial skis—positions it to expand its fats/oils palette into more food, nutrition, and biomaterial lines, leveraging WING® for scalable, partner-integrated solutions.[2][4][5] Trends like bioeconomy growth and supply chain resilience will propel it, potentially amplifying influence through new brands or acquisitions in high-value sectors. As a molecular innovator, it could redefine sustainable manufacturing, empowering creators to build the next era of performant, planet-friendly products—echoing its founding vision of expanded building blocks.[1]
Checkerspot has raised $109.0M in total across 4 funding rounds.
Checkerspot's investors include ArrowMark Partners, Viking Global Investors, Breakout Ventures, Builders VC, Cavallo Ventures, 01 Ventures, 305 Ventures, Activant Capital, Ambridge Capital, Ballistic Ventures, Bombas, CP Ventures.
Checkerspot has raised $109.0M across 4 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $55.0M Series C in February 2023.