Juniper
Jennifer Kan and Michael Luciani
Juniper Fund I invests in pre-seed synthetic biology startups decarbonizing industrial sectors from sustainable materials to biomanufacturing. The fund bridges a critical gap, backing technical founders overlooked by traditional biotech VCs (focused on therapeutics) and generalist climate investors.
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About Juniper.
Juniper’s thesis centers on biology as the ultimate technology: programming DNA to create carbon-negative alternatives for cement, plastics, textiles, and more. The fund targets the $4T+ bioeconomy, where climate urgency and plummeting biotech costs converge. Unlike peers, Juniper focuses on industrial applications (not pharma), leveraging Jennifer’s Nobel-caliber enzyme engineering background and Michael’s track record of scaling ventures and syndicating capital.
The GPs’ 4.0x MOIC from 40+ deep-tech investments reflects their ability to identify and de-risk outliers. Their co-investment network (e.g., Lowercarbon, a16z) ensures access to top-tier deals, while hands-on support from IP strategy to supply-chain partnerships helps startups navigate the "valley of death" between lab and market. Juniper’s portfolio includes pioneers like Aralez Bio (enzyme-driven chemicals) and California Cultured (lab-grown cocoa), exemplifying its focus on scalable, high-impact solutions.
Juniper
Fund size:
USD 10 Million
Juniper isn’t just investing; it’s rewriting the rules of the industry. With Nobel-tier expertise and a 12.4x exit under their belts, they’re turning lab breakthroughs into the next industrial revolution, decarbonizing everything from chocolate to chemicals. Jennifer and Michael are proving biology is the ultimate climate tech. The bioeconomy’s future is being built here.
