Insempra
Insempra is a Munich-based biotechnology company that develops bio-based ingredients via precision fermentation and cell-free protein synthesis for consumer goods manufacturers in beauty, food, and performance materials, distributing through exclusive partnerships with Brenntag and Axxence Aromatic.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersPlanegg, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Insempra does
Insempra GmbH is a Munich-based biotechnology company, founded in 2021 (as Origin.Bio) by Jens Klein and rebranded in July 2022, that develops and produces bio-based ingredients via precision fermentation and cell-free protein synthesis for consumer goods manufacturers in beauty & personal care, food & nutrition, and fibers & performance materials. The company's technology platform combines proprietary microbial strain engineering, a cell-free screening platform established with Northwestern University's Prof. Michael Jewett, and a circular biomanufacturing prototype (BioTreasure) that converts waste streams such as PET, used cooking oil, and plant residues into bio-based products. To date, Insempra has commercialized three fermentation-derived ingredients: natural Alpha-Ionone (a flavor and fragrance ingredient launched April 2023 via Axxence Aromatic), Superior Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol (a >99% purity bio-based fragrance ingredient launched April 2025), and CosVivet ActiLipid O7, an Omega-7 biolipid launched April 2026 under an exclusive global distribution agreement with Brenntag.
The company monetizes through ingredient sales and technology licensing/onboarding of external biotech innovations, using a hybrid B2B model that combines direct sales to consumer goods brands with exclusive third-party distribution partnerships (Brenntag for Omega-7, Axxence for Alpha-Ionone). Insempra has raised approximately $35M in venture funding across a $15M seed (EQT Ventures-led, 2021) and $20M Series A (2024, with new investors including Henkel dx Ventures and Bayern Kapital), and has secured additional non-dilutive grant funding from Germany's SPRIND agency (cumulatively exceeding €6M across three stages of the Circular Biomanufacturing Challenge) and from the Eurostars programme (€2.1M consortium grant for fermentative biomelanin). The company holds a minority strategic stake in Solena Materials, an Imperial College London spin-out developing synthetic protein fibers, which constitutes its entry into the textiles vertical. As of early 2026, Insempra operates from the IZB campus in Planegg/Martinsried with approximately 45 employees across 15 nationalities, has ISO 9001 certification (January 2025), and is led by a team drawn heavily from AMSilk, including CEO Jens Klein, COO Lin Römer, and CTO Andreas Heyl.
Insempra firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Insempra
- Legal name
- Insempra GmbH
- Website
- https://insempra.bio
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Insempra is a Munich-based biotechnology company that develops bio-based ingredients via precision fermentation and cell-free protein synthesis for consumer goods manufacturers in beauty, food, and performance materials, distributing through exclusive partnerships with Brenntag and Axxence Aromatic.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Insempra industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Bio-based Ingredients (Precision Fermentation)
- NAICS
- Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing (325411), Spice and Extract Manufacturing (311942), Chemical Manufacturing (325), Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing (32519)
- SIC
- Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844), Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833), Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Personal Care & Cosmetic Ingredients (IMAEABAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Bio-based Food & Flavor Ingredients (Non-fuel Co-products: sweeteners, organic acids, flavors) (EUAAAIAJ), Antioxidants & Phytochemicals (Carotenoids, Tocopherols, Flavonoids, CoQ10, Resveratrol) (AFAJAKAI)
Keywords
Where Insempra is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Planegg
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Insempra business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Bio-based Ingredient Sales: Sale of proprietary bio-based ingredients (Superior PEA, Omega-7 biolipid, Alpha-Ionone) to consumer goods manufacturers in beauty, food, and nutrition industries
- Distribution Revenue: Revenue through distribution partners like Brenntag who distribute Insempra's products globally to manufacturers
- Technology Licensing and Scouting: Technology onboarding, scaling, and licensing services for partners with innovative biotech technologies; vertical or horizontal integration of external innovations
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Direct ingredient sales to B2B customers |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Insempra product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Insempra develops and produces 100% bio-based ingredients using precision fermentation technology for the beauty & personal care, food & nutrition, and fibers & performance materials industries. The company sells proprietary ingredients such as Superior Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol (fragrance), CosVivet ActiLipid O7 (Omega-7 biolipid for skincare), and natural Alpha-Ionone (flavor & fragrance) to consumer goods manufacturers, distributing globally through partners like Brenntag and Axxence Aromatic.
Product overview
Insempra is a biotechnology-powered ingredients platform offering bio-based alternatives across three core verticals: Beauty & Personal Care, Food & Nutrition, and Fibers & Performance Materials. The company utilizes precision fermentation and circular biomanufacturing technologies to produce superior natural ingredients that replace petrochemical-derived and agricultural extract sources. Key products include Superior Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol (fragrance ingredient), CosVivet ActiLipid O7 (Omega-7 biolipid), and Natural Alpha-Ionone (flavour/fragrance), all produced via precision fermentation. The platform leverages second-generation feedstocks from agricultural waste and operates through technology partnerships including distribution via Brenntag and Axxence Aromatic.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Superior Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol (Superior PEA) A high-purity (>99%), 100% bio-based fragrance ingredient produced via precision fermentation, featuring a mild rose/honey scent with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Designed as a drop-in replacement for beauty and personal care formulators seeking vegan, animal-free, sustainable fragrance ingredients that match or exceed synthetic counterparts.
- CosVivet ActiLipid O7 (Omega-7 Biolipid) Proprietary Omega-7 biolipid developed using precision fermentation for beauty and personal care applications, delivering moisturisation and smooth, supple-looking skin with a silky, lightweight sensory profile. Commercialized through an exclusive global distribution agreement with Brenntag.
- Natural Alpha-Ionone Biotechnologically produced, 100% natural Alpha-Ionone flavour and fragrance ingredient for food and beauty applications, featuring selective production of the (R)-alpha-Ionone enantiomer for superior violet and raspberry aroma. Distributed globally via supply agreement with Axxence Aromatic GmbH.
- Fermentative Biomelanin First biotechnologically produced vegan melanin developed through a Eurostars consortium collaboration, intended for personal care and food & beverages applications as a sustainable alternative to synthetic or animal-derived melanins.
Quantifiable outcome
- Eliminated land use equivalent to ~40 football fields by producing raspberry aroma through fermentation instead of farming
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Insempra
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Insempra technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Insempra partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- BrenntagcoreExclusive global distribution agreement with Brenntag, the world's largest chemical distributor, to commercialize Insempra's fermentation-derived Omega-7 biolipid (CosVivet ActiLipid O7) for the beauty and personal care industry. The product debuted at in-cosmetics Global in Paris. Brenntag provides access to its network of approximately 600 sites across more than 70 countries. This partnership also signals Brenntag's strategic shift toward building a proprietary bio-based ingredient portfolio.
- Eurostars Consortium (Gecco Biotech, Zymvol Biomodeling, University of Groningen)coreEurostars grant consortium awarded €2.1M to develop fermentative biomelanin production. Consortium includes Insempra (Germany), Gecco Biotech (Netherlands), Zymvol Biomodeling (Spain), and University of Groningen. Ranked second out of 216 European consortiums. Three-year project aims to create scalable, vegan biomelanin for personal care and food & beverages applications.
- Fibers365coreCollaboration with Fibers365 to develop and scale sustainable second-generation (2G) feedstock for commercial production of fermentation-based ingredients. Fibers365 offers patented modular farm-level Steam Fiber Plants that extract functional cellulosic fibers, lignin and sugars from multi-feedstock non-wood biomass. Successfully tested Fibers365's 2G feedstock derived from agricultural waste streams with Insempra's proprietary fermentation technology platform.
- Axxence Aromatic GmbHcoreSupply agreement with Axxence Aromatic GmbH to market Insempra's biotechnologically produced, 100% natural Alpha-Ionone to food and beauty manufacturers globally. Axxence, a leading manufacturer and supplier of natural aroma ingredients, has approximately 110 employees and operates two manufacturing plants in Slovakia, serving customers in over 35 countries including the world's largest F&F companies.
- BioInnovation Institute (BII)minorCollaboration with BioInnovation Institute to accelerate and support biotech innovation. Insempra mentors BII portfolio companies and advises early-stage startups within synthetic biology. BII opens their network of investors and stakeholders to Insempra. BII is an international commercial foundation supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation with up to EUR 470 million over 10 years.
- Scientific Advisory Board (Prof. Michael Jewett, Prof. Paul Freemont)minorAppointment of Professor Michael Jewett (Northwestern University) and Professor Paul Freemont (Imperial College London) to Scientific Advisory Board. Prof. Jewett focuses on synthetic biology for planet and societal health; Prof. Freemont co-founded Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology and National UK Innovation and Knowledge Centre for Synthetic Biology.
- Solena MaterialscoreStrategic investment in Solena Materials, a spin-out from Imperial College London developing synthetic proteins for high-performance clothing fibers. Insempra CEO Jens Klein serves as Chairman of the Board at Solena. Insempra co-founded Solena and is sole contributing shareholder. Solena is based at Imperial College's Translation & Innovation Hub in White City, London.
- CarbocyclecoreAcquisition of Carbocycle, a Columbia University spinout that developed technology to produce sustainable microbial lipids from upcycled organic waste streams using precision fermentation. Carbocycle's co-founders (Shashwat Vajpeyi, Tim Zeiske, Melanie Valencia) joined Insempra in Munich. Carbocycle was started in 2016 with research funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Insempra competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Ginkgo Bioworks: Largest publicly-traded synthetic biology platform company, designing and engineering organisms for industrial applications including food ingredients, fragrances, and specialty chemicals. Directly comparable to Insempra as a precision fermentation platform serving CPG customers, though Ginkgo operates at vastly larger scale with a broader portfolio.
- LanzaTech: Carbon recycling company using gas fermentation to produce sustainable fuels and chemicals, including specialty ingredients. Comparable as a synthetic biology platform company producing bio-based chemicals at scale, though LanzaTech's primary focus is fuels rather than fragrance/flavor ingredients.
Direct peers
- Conagen: US-based precision fermentation company developing bio-based ingredients for food, flavor, fragrance, nutrition, and personal care via proprietary strain engineering. Closely comparable to Insempra's technology platform and customer verticals, particularly in flavor and fragrance ingredient production.
- Amyris: Pioneer in precision fermentation for sustainable ingredients, notably producing squalane and other specialty chemicals via yeast fermentation for beauty and personal care. Closely comparable technology and end-markets to Insempra, though Amyris has struggled with commercial scale-up and gone through bankruptcy restructuring.
- Debut Biotechnology: US synthetic biology company specializing in fermentation-derived beauty and personal care ingredients, including bioactive compounds and specialty cosmetic ingredients. Highly comparable to Insempra's Beauty & Personal Care vertical with similar technology approach and customer targets.
- C16 Biosciences: Synthetic biology company developing fermentation-derived alternatives to palm oil and other tropical oils for personal care and food applications. Directly comparable to Insempra's Omega-7 biolipid (CosVivet ActiLipid O7) in lipid-based bio-based ingredients for beauty/food.
- AMSilk: Industrial supplier of vegan silk biopolymers via precision fermentation for cosmetics, textiles, and technical applications. Highly comparable both technologically (precision fermentation for specialty ingredients) and operationally — Insempra's CEO Jens Klein and COO Lin Römer previously led AMSilk, making it a direct pedigree peer.
- Solena Materials: Imperial College spin-out developing synthetic protein fibers for high-performance clothing via precision fermentation. Direct portfolio company of Insempra — Insempra is the sole contributing shareholder and CEO Jens Klein serves as Chairman — making it an operational extension of Insempra's Fibers & Performance Materials vertical.
Emerging players
- Solugen: US company producing specialty chemicals via biocatalysis and fermentation for industrial applications, including personal care ingredients. Comparable to Insempra's specialty ingredients business with similar bio-based chemistry approach.
- Carbios: French biotech company developing enzymatic recycling of PET plastics and producing bio-based monomers via fermentation. Comparable as a European bio-industrial company with precision fermentation capabilities targeting sustainability, though focused on plastics recycling rather than ingredients.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Insempra social profiles
Digital presenceInsempra compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Insempra financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Insempra leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Insempra subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Insempra funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors10 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Insempra M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments2 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Insempra
What does Insempra do?
Insempra develops and produces 100% bio-based ingredients using precision fermentation technology for the beauty & personal care, food & nutrition, and fibers & performance materials industries. The company sells proprietary ingredients such as Superior Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol (fragrance), CosVivet ActiLipid O7 (Omega-7 biolipid for skincare), and natural Alpha-Ionone (flavor & fragrance) to consumer goods manufacturers, distributing globally through partners like Brenntag and Axxence Aromatic.
Is Insempra a public or private company?
Insempra is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Insempra founded?
Insempra was founded in 2021. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Insempra based?
Insempra is headquartered in Planegg, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Insempra make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Bio-based Ingredient Sales are the primary driver. The others are distribution Revenue and technology Licensing and Scouting.
Who are Insempra's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Ginkgo Bioworks and LanzaTech. Direct peers are Conagen, Amyris, Debut Biotechnology, C16 Biosciences, AMSilk and Solena Materials. Emerging players are Solugen and Carbios.
Does Insempra have an API?
No public API is recorded for Insempra.
What industry is Insempra in?
Insempra's product category is Bio-based Ingredients (Precision Fermentation). Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAEABAJ, Personal Care & Cosmetic Ingredients, with a secondary code of EUAAAIAJ, Bio-based Food & Flavor Ingredients (Non-fuel Co-products: sweeteners, organic acids, flavors). Its NAICS code is 325411 and its SIC code is 2844.