Not your typical
chemical company
- 7 Markets
- 2 Bioforges
- 2 Strategic Partnerships
- $640M+ Raised
- 230+ Employees
From Concept to Asset in 5 Years
2016 · A Chance Meeting
Gaurab was getting his PhD at University of Texas Southwestern and researching a drug candidate for pancreatic cancer. Sean was a graduate student in chemical engineering at MIT focusing on noble metal catalysts. They wondered if marrying their two disciplines could improve chemical manufacturing.
2017 · Proving the Concept
To prove the concept, Gaurab and Sean build a prototype reactor using materials from Home Depot and entered the MIT Entrepreneurship Competition. With $10K of seed funding, they later join renowned startup accelerator Y Combinator and appear in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
2018 · Building a Pilot Plant
With cash in hand and a steady customer base, Gaurab and Sean acquire and redevelop the brownfield site of a previously exploded chemical plant in Houston. They later raise a $13.5M Series A funding round led by Fifty Years, Founders Fund, and Y Combinator.
2019 · Expanding Capabilities
To better serve a growing list of energy customers, refined blending and distribution capabilities are established in Slaton, TX. Solugen closes $32 million in Series B funding led by Founders Fund, with participation from Y Combinator, Refactor Capital, Fifty Years and KdT Ventures. The company is named among Houston’s fastest growing private companies.
2020 · Demonstration Scale Plant
Construction on Solugen’s 10 KTA demonstration scale Bioforge begins. The company is named on Forbes list of Next Billion Dollar Startups.
2021 · Bioforge Houston Comes Online
Construction on Bioforge Houston is complete. The company receives over $350M in Series C funding in a round led by GIC and Baillie Gifford, with participation from Temasek Holdings, BlackRock, Carbon Direct Capital Management, Refactor Capital, and Fifty Years. Solugen receives the World Changing Idea Award by Fast Company.
2022 · Production Hits Critical Mass
Bioforge Houston production hits critical mass in its first year of operation. Solugen establishes itself with top tier customers for existing solutions and technology partners to build a robust pipeline of future molecules. The company raises over $200M in a Series D funding in a round led by Kennivik, Lowercarbon Capital, and Refactor Capital. Solugen is later ranked second on Fast Company’s list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies.
2023 · Forging Strategic Partnerships
Solugen announces its first major expansion outside of Texas with plans to build a 50,000 sf biomanufacturing facility in Marshall, MN. The company also announces major strategic partnerships with established industry leaders like Sasol Chemicals and ADM to commercialize and scale new solutions.
2024 · Breaking Ground on Bioforge Marshall
In April, Solugen breaks ground on a new facility in Southwest Minnesota alongside government leaders, business leaders, and community partners.
In June, Solugen secures conditional commitment for a $213.6M loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office to scale domestic biomanufacturing.
Awards
15 Climate Tech Companies to Watch
MIT Technology Review, 2024
Second annual list of innovative companies making significant strides in developing cost-effective technologies to combat climate change.
Sustainability Leaders
Forbes, 2024
Solugen CEO, Gaurab Chakrabarti, joins the inaugural list of global changemakers across industries who are driving measurable and lasting impact in the fight against the climate crisis.
Disruptor 50
CNBC, 2024
Annual list of private, venture-backed companies transforming industries.
America’s Top Greentech Companies
TIME, 2024
The inaugural list celebrates companies that are driving positive change in the fight against climate change.
America’s Best Startup Employers
Forbes, 2024
Companies were evaluated on three primary criteria: company reputation, employee satisfaction and growth.
Entrepreneur of the Year
EY, 2023
Solugen’s co-founders were named among the national list honoring entrepreneurs who develop products and solutions that disrupt markets, revolutionize industries, and transform lives.
Green Chemistry Challenge
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 2023
The awards recognize technologies that design chemical products and processes that address critical environmental challenges like climate change and foster economic development.
The World’s Most Innovative Companies
Fast Company, 2022
Annual showcase of the best in business where Solugen was named #2 globally in manufacturing for its technology platform.
World Changing Ideas
Fast Company, 2021
The annual list honors products, concepts, companies, policies, and designs that are pursuing innovation for the good of society and the planet.
Next Billion Dollar Startups
Forbes, 2020
Annual list of the country’s 25 fastest-growing venture-backed startups most likely to reach a $1 billion valuation.
Fast 100 & Innovation Awards
Houston Business Journal, 2019
Annual list of the fastest-growing private companies in Houston. These companies are known for their innovation and risk taking.
30 Under 30
Forbes, 2017
Solugen co-founders join the definitive list of young people changing the world.
MIT $100K Entrepreneurship Competition
MIT, 2016
The competition brings together students and researchers from across MIT and Greater Boston to launch their talent, ideas, and technology into leading companies.