BEAM Circular Accelerator Announces Inaugural Cohort of Six Startups Driving Circular Bioeconomy Innovation
In partnership with gener8tor, the new program offers up to $130,000 in funding and strategic mentorship to startups
MODESTO, Calif. – The BEAM Circular Accelerator, a collaboration between BEAM Circular and accelerator network gener8tor, is proud to announce the launch of its inaugural cohort of six innovative startups. The program officially began Feb.11 and supports groundbreaking solutions in the circular bioeconomy.
The three-month accelerator supports early-stage companies advancing the circular bioeconomy in California’s agricultural heartland, focusing on biomanufacturing, waste transformation, and circular solutions in agriculture and natural resources. With the support of key partners – including global accelerator network gener8tor and venture capital firm Reservoir Ventures – participants will receive $30,000 in non-dilutive funding, up to $100,000 in follow-on venture capital investment and grant resources, and access to an extensive network of mentors and industry leaders.
Karen Warner, CEO of BEAM Circular, emphasized the transformative potential of the program, stating, "This cohort represents the leading edge of circular bioeconomy innovation. By supporting these exceptional entrepreneurs, we aim to catalyze solutions that unlock the vast potential of agricultural and organic waste streams, creating value for both communities and the planet."
Ryan Jeffery, Senior Managing Director of Sustainability at gener8tor, added, "Our mission is to create a launchpad for startups addressing our planet’s most urgent challenges. This inaugural cohort reflects the talent and ingenuity required to establish the Northern San Joaquin Valley as a global hub for circular bioeconomy solutions."
The BEAM Circular Accelerator provides participants with investment capital, mentorship from leaders in industry and academia, and the opportunity to engage with innovation partners, including the University of California system, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and the Almond Board of California. The program is part of a larger initiative to position California’s Northern San Joaquin Valley as a leader in sustainable biomanufacturing and waste-to-value innovation. It will culminate in a public showcase event in May, with the date and time to be announced.
The BEAM Circular Accelerator was launched with support from the State of California through the California Jobs First Initiative.
2025 BEAM Circular Accelerator Company Summaries
Electro-Active develops modular solutions to transform waste into hydrogen fuel and a co-product that supports regenerative agriculture. By creating a circular system that valorizes waste, Electro-Active enables zero-emission fuel production while recycling nutrients back to farms. Built on over a decade of R&D at a DOE National Laboratory and advanced to pilot scale, the technology is poised for deployment in California's Central Valley with strategic partners.
Electro-Active Technologies, Inc. - electroactive.tech | CEO - Abhijeet Borole - aborole@electroactive.tech
FIT Candy creates healthy, all-natural sweet and sour candy made from upcycled watermelon rinds, reducing food waste while offering consumers a nutrient-rich, low-calorie alternative to traditional candies. Packed with fiber, antioxidants, and L-citrulline, FIT Candy leverages the gelatinization properties of watermelon rinds to deliver a delicious confectionary experience without artificial ingredients. Developed as a senior thesis project at UC Davis, FIT Candy contains less than 1/10th the calories and sugar of Skittles and has outperformed leading healthy candy brands in taste tests across diverse age groups.
FIT Candy - fitcandy.store | CEO - Dion Skaria - dionskaria3@gmail.com
Oleo Sustainable Palm Oil Solutions (SPOS) converts biomass waste into low-carbon oil products, providing a sustainable alternative to traditional palm oil that avoids arable land use and reduces deforestation. Using a proprietary microwave hydrolysis process and oleaginous yeast fermentation, Oleo produces oils with a fatty acid profile comparable to palm oil, suitable for consumer goods and sustainable aviation fuel feedstocks. Oleo’s technology enables corporate supply chains to decarbonize while preserving tropical rainforests and reducing up to 1.64 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
Oleo Sustainable Palm Oil Solutions - oleospos.com | Co-CEO - Kelly Redmond - kelly@oleospos.com | Co-CEO - Gabriella Dweck - gabriella@oleospos.com
Optimized Foods leverages its proprietary biomanufacturing platform and the power of mycelium to transform food and agricultural byproducts into sustainable, nutritious, and high-value foods and ingredients. By repurposing readily available waste streams, Optimized Foods delivers innovative solutions that promote sustainability and nutrition. This platform enables the creation of delicious products while tackling critical challenges, including environmental sustainability, and nutritional health.
Optimized Foods - optimizedfoods.com | CEO - Zane Starkewolf - zane@optimizedfoods.com
Terra Rossa develops sustainable bio-herbicides using nut waste products, offering eco-friendly solutions for agricultural weed control. Its flagship product, Blanco Max, is made from almond hulls and is EPA FIFRA 25(b) exempt. Located in Turlock, CA, Terra Rossa is advancing innovative approaches to repurpose agricultural byproducts for sustainability.
Terra Rossa LLC - trorganics.com | CEO - Edgar Perez - pbf1330@gmail.com
VERDE Nanomaterials is accelerating the world’s transition to a circular bioeconomy by transforming agricultural waste into advanced biobased materials. Using a proprietary low-cost, low-impact process, VERDE produces sustainable materials that can replace petroleum-based alternatives in industries like packaging, automotive, and construction. By offering cost-competitive biobased materials with high performance, VERDE enables the development of advanced materials with reduced environmental impact.
VERDE Nanomaterials - verdenano.com | CEO - Danielle Pascoli - dpascoli@verdenano.com
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About BEAM Circular
BEAM Circular is building a vibrant regional ecosystem for the circular bioeconomy in California’s agricultural heartland, the North San Joaquin Valley. We are facilitating collaboration and catalyzing action through the BioEconomy, Agriculture, and Manufacturing (BEAM) Initiative -- a portfolio of public and private projects designed to scale the most promising innovations in bioindustrial manufacturing and to advance solutions that support economic and environmental outcomes for local communities.
About gener8tor
gener8tor is a global venture firm and accelerator network that supports startups, workers, employers, artists and musicians across race, place and gender. gener8tor partners with companies, governments, universities and nonprofits to operate accelerator programs and conferences in more than 45 communities across 25 states and three countries. Fast Company named gener8tor one of the Best Workplaces for Innovators in 2021 and 2022. The International Trade Council recognized gener8tor as the Global Venture Capital Firm of the Year in 2022.
