Founders, Friends, & Fermentation: RTP Edition
For the first time, Founders, Friends & Fermentation is coming to Raleigh, North Carolina.
Raleigh and the broader Research Triangle have quietly become one of the most important regions in the United States for biomanufacturing, fermentation, agriculture, and industrial biotech. From startups to global manufacturers, the ecosystem continues to grow rapidly across food, chemicals, therapeutics, and sustainable manufacturing.
Founders, Friends, and Fermentation is bringing the community together for a free mixer focused on one idea: biology is becoming infrastructure.
This is a casual gathering for the people building the future of fermentation and biomanufacturing across North Carolina and beyond.
Expect founders, scientists, operators, investors, engineers, and biotech leaders working across strain engineering, bioprocessing and scale-up, food tech and alternative proteins, industrial chemicals, AI x Bio, and domestic biomanufacturing infrastructure. This is your chance to meet the people behind the science and manufacturing ecosystem shaping the next generation of biotechnology. Drinks, pizza, conversations, and probably at least one passionate debate about fermentation economics. Come grab a pint with us 🍻
Hosted at Trophy Brewing & Pizza.
Sponsored by Saku Biosciences and Growth Curve Bio.
Saku Biosciences is engineering host cell products to improve biomanufacturing economics. Founded in 2024, the company focuses on improving output, reducing production timelines, and lowering manufacturing costs to make biotechnology products more scalable and economically viable.
Growth Curve Bio is a CDMO specializing in precision fermentation process development and scale-up. Their team has scaled bioprocesses from benchtop systems to industrial volumes, helping companies move from R&D to commercial manufacturing more efficiently. Based in Durham, North Carolina, GCB operates in the heart of the Research Triangle ecosystem.
Founders and Friends in Fermentation is a casual gathering series for people working in or curious about fermentation, biotech, food tech, industrial biology, and the future of biomanufacturing.
No panels or presentations, just builders, researchers, investors, and operators connecting in relaxed environments and building relationships that move the industry forward.