Founders, Friends, and Fermentation - Berkeley Edition
Berkeley’s role in the history of fermentation and engineered biology runs deep. Long before synthetic biology became a buzzword, Berkeley scientists were shaping how we understand and harness microbes. In the mid-20th century, Robert K. Mortimer laid the groundwork for yeast genetics, turning Saccharomyces cerevisiae into a key model organism that underpins both brewing science and modern microbial engineering. Decades later, leaders like Jay Keasling helped pioneer synthetic biology at Berkeley and Berkeley Lab, engineering microbes to produce pharmaceuticals and biofuels and expanding what fermentation can achieve. Today, Berkeley remains at the forefront of biology innovation, with figures like Jennifer Doudna pushing the boundaries of genome editing and precise microbial control.
Founders, Friends & Fermentation is a casual community gathering that honors this legacy and brings it into the present. It’s for anyone immersed in or curious about fermentation, biotech, food systems, and the broader bioeconomy — from founders and researchers to engineers, investors, and folks who just love talking about what microbes can do.
What to Expect
Friends and founders talking shop without slides or set talks
Informal, meaningful conversations grounded in real work and curiosity
A mix of folks from labs, startups, industry, and cross-disciplinary backgrounds
Good beer, good food, and Berkeley energy around the table
This isn’t a pitch night. It’s a space to connect, share what you’re building or wondering about, and continue the culture of experimentation and collaboration that has made Berkeley a cradle for microbial science and engineering.
Bring your ideas and your curiosity. Let’s keep the conversation going over a beer.