GlycoSurf, Inc.
GlycoSurf, Inc. is a privately held specialty chemical manufacturer producing high-purity (>95%) bio-based glycolipid surfactants and beta-hydroxy fatty acids (BetaRox™) for personal care, cosmetics, skincare, and mining/REE remediation applications, serving academic, industrial, and government R&D customers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersSalt Lake City, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What GlycoSurf, Inc. does
GlycoSurf, Inc. is a privately held specialty chemical company (Arizona LLC, headquartered in Salt Lake City, UT) that manufactures high-purity bio-based glycolipid surfactants and beta-hydroxy fatty acid molecules. Its proprietary synthetic process produces glycolipid surfactants at greater than 95% purity using sugar-based headgroups (rhamnose, glucose, galactose, xylose) and tunable lipid tail groups (C8-C18, single- or double-chain). The product portfolio spans two platforms: (1) Glycolipid Surfactants sold as raw ingredients for cleaning, personal care, cosmetics, cosmeceuticals, and bioremediation, and (2) BetaRox™, a bio-based beta-hydroxy fatty acid line (C8-C14 acids and esters) launched in March 2026 targeting skincare formulations. The company also develops a glycolipid-based sorption media for individual rare earth element separation, reducing conventional extraction from hundreds of steps to 10-15.
GlycoSurf generates revenue through three streams: online product sales (1g-1kg quantities via glycosurf.com with volume pricing), custom synthesis services for tailored molecules, and technology licensing / R&D partnerships with government and industrial partners. Its go-to-market blends a product-led e-commerce motion for academic and industry R&D buyers with enterprise outreach to mining companies and government agencies. The company holds US and PCT patent applications on its synthetic process, operates under ISO 9001:2015 certification, and is led by CEO Dr. Chett Boxley alongside scientific co-founders Dr. Raina Maier and Dr. Jeanne Pemberton (both University of Arizona professors). GlycoSurf originated from University of Arizona research and has been funded primarily through federal grants (NSF, NIEHS, DOE) rather than venture capital, with cumulative government funding exceeding $5M between 2018 and 2024 across uranium remediation, rare earth element separation, and dust mitigation programs.
GlycoSurf, Inc. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- GlycoSurf, Inc.
- Legal name
- GlycoSurf, LLC
- Website
- https://glycosurf.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- GlycoSurf, Inc. is a privately held specialty chemical manufacturer producing high-purity (>95%) bio-based glycolipid surfactants and beta-hydroxy fatty acids (BetaRox™) for personal care, cosmetics, skincare, and mining/REE remediation applications, serving academic, industrial, and government R&D customers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
GlycoSurf, Inc. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Chemicals (Biosurfactants)
- NAICS
- Surface Active Agent Manufacturing (325613)
- SIC
- Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Bio-based Surfactants, Detergent Ingredients & Oleochemicals (EUAAAIAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Commodity Surfactants & Detergent Base Chemicals (IMAEAAAI), Encapsulation & Emulsified Delivery Systems (Spray-dried emulsions, Lipid microencapsulation) (AFAJACAL)
Keywords
Where GlycoSurf, Inc. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Salt Lake City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
GlycoSurf, Inc. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Specialty Chemical Product Sales: GlycoSurf sells glycolipid surfactants in quantities ranging from 1g to 1kg through their e-commerce platform. Volume pricing is offered for larger quantities. Products include rhamnolipids, galactose-based, xylose-based, and other sugar-based surfactants.
- Custom Synthesis Services: Custom synthesis services available upon request for tailored glycolipid surfactant molecules with specific sugar headgroups and lipid tail groups.
- Technology Licensing / R&D Partnerships: Licensing of proprietary glycolipid technology for rare earth element separation, working with partners including DOE-funded projects and university research collaborations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Small quantities (10mg-500mg) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard quantities (1g-50g) |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Large quantities (25kg+ and custom) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
GlycoSurf, Inc. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
GlycoSurf manufactures and sells high-purity (>95%), bio-inspired glycolipid surfactants — including rhamnolipids and sugar-based surfactants with customizable tail groups (C8–C18) — through its e-commerce storefront and custom synthesis services. The company also produces the BetaRox™ beta-hydroxy fatty acid (BHA) platform for skincare applications and develops glycolipid-based sorption media for rare earth element separation under government-funded R&D partnerships.
Product overview
GlycoSurf, Inc. is a specialty chemical company producing high-purity, eco-friendly biosurfactants and glycolipid-based chemicals. The product portfolio centers on two main platforms: (1) BetaRox™ Acids & Esters, a tunable beta-hydroxy fatty acid platform offering multiple chain lengths (C8-C14) for skincare and material applications, and (2) Glycolipid Surfactants encompassing rhamnolipids and sugar-based surfactants (rhamnose, glucose, galactose, xylose) with customizable tail groups (C8-C18). The company also develops rare earth element separation technology for mining remediation applications. Products exceed 95% purity and follow Green Chemistry principles.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BetaRox™: A high-purity, bio-based beta-hydroxy fatty acid platform designed for advanced material and chemical applications including skincare. Features tunable chain lengths C8, C10, C12, and C14 with multiple product forms (acids and esters).
Products and services
- BetaRox™ Acids & Esters Platform High-purity, bio-based beta-hydroxy fatty acid platform sold in acid and ester forms for skincare formulators developing clarifying serums, oil-balancing moisturizers, exfoliating creams, BHA cleansers, and scalp treatments.
- Rhamnolipid Surfactants Bio-inspired rhamnolipid surfactants derived from rhamnose sugar, sold as biodegradable and non-toxic green surfactants for cleaning products, cosmetics, cosmeceuticals, and bioremediation applications.
- Glycolipid Surfactants (Custom Sugar Headgroup Catalog) Sugar-based surfactants spanning rhamnose, glucose, galactose, and xylose headgroups with customizable lipid tail groups (single- and double-chain C8–C18), sold to industrial and academic R&D customers.
- Rare Earth Element Separation Technology Glycolipid and DTPA-analog sorption media developed under DOE Phase II funding to individually separate high-purity rare earth oxide powders from mixed concentrates, reducing extraction steps from hundreds-to-thousands to 10–15 steps.
- Custom Synthesis Services Bespoke synthesis of tailored glycolipid surfactant molecules with customer-specified sugar headgroups and lipid tail groups, ordered via direct inquiry to GlycoSurf.
Quantifiable outcome
- Purity levels exceeding 95%, resulting in better performance properties than competitors
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use GlycoSurf, Inc.
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
GlycoSurf, Inc. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
GlycoSurf, Inc. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Wayne State UniversitycoreResearch partnership with Dr. Timothy Dittrich at Wayne State University for DOE Phase II grant on rare earth element separation technology. Combines GlycoSurf's glycolipid synthesis with university's environmental chemistry expertise.
- UCLAcoreResearch partnership with Dr. Sanjay Mohanty at UCLA for DOE Phase II grant on rare earth element separation. Part of multi-institution team developing new sorption media for REE isolation.
- BHPcoreMining company partner supplying real-world metalliferous solutions for testing GlycoSurf's continuous ion flotation process. Testing real-world mining solutions for uranium and REE remediation technology.
- University of ArizonacoreLong-standing research partnership from company origins. University of Arizona researchers (Jeanne Pemberton, Raina Maier) co-founded GlycoSurf. Continued collaboration on NIEHS Superfund Research Program grants.
- 5-HT Digital Hub Chemistry & HealthminorMember of Digital Hub Initiative of German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection. Provides networking opportunities with established chemical and healthcare companies for potential partnerships and co-development.
- NYU Endless Frontier LabsminorAccepted into 2021-22 Cohort in Deep Tech track at NYU's Endless Frontier Labs accelerator program. Receives mentorship from industry experts, corporate leaders, and leading investors.
- Tech Launch ArizonacoreUniversity of Arizona technology commercialization office that provided Phase I and Phase II proof-of-concept funding, helped secure laboratory space at Arizona Center for Innovation, and facilitated patent filing and company formation.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
GlycoSurf, Inc. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- TeeGene Biotech: UK-based manufacturer of high-purity rhamnolipid and other glycolipid biosurfactants for cosmetics, cleaning, and bioremediation. Directly comparable to GlycoSurf in core product chemistry (sugar-based surfactants), target applications, and early commercial scale.
- Locus Performance Ingredients: US-based producer of fermentation-derived sophorolipid and other biosurfactants for personal care, household, and industrial cleaning. Comparable as a bio-based surfactant competitor with similar target customers (CPG/formulators) and regulatory/green-chemistry value proposition.
- Biotensidon: German producer of rhamnolipid biosurfactants for cleaning, cosmetics, and agriculture applications. Directly comparable as a small specialist competing in the same core chemistry (rhamnolipids) and end markets.
- Saraya: Japanese company with commercial rhamnolipid biosurfactant products (e.g., the 'KANBLOC' line) used in cleaning and personal care. Comparable as a bio-based surfactant specialist with overlapping target applications, particularly relevant given GlycoSurf's work with mining/environmental remediation customers.
Broad incumbents
- Evonik: Global specialty chemicals major with a significant biosurfactants portfolio (e.g., sophorolipids via Evonik Golgi) serving personal care, cleaning, and industrial markets. Comparable as a large incumbent supplying bio-based surfactants into overlapping end markets, though with vastly greater scale and broader product range.
- BASF: World's largest chemical company with a broad portfolio of surfactants including bio-based offerings across home care, personal care, and industrial applications. Comparable as the dominant incumbent against which any specialty biosurfactant startup must compete for formulation slots and volume contracts.
- Stepan Company: US-listed specialty chemical manufacturer focused on surfactants for cleaning, personal care, and industrial markets. Comparable as a direct incumbent in the surfactant chemistry space with established formulation customer relationships and global manufacturing.
- Croda International: UK-listed specialty ingredients supplier with a strong sustainability/biodegradable positioning across personal care, beauty, and home care surfactants. Comparable as a high-purity, sustainability-positioned incumbent whose customer base overlaps directly with GlycoSurf's target formulators.
Emerging players
- Holiferm: UK-based startup developing fermentation-based glycolipid biosurfactants (sophorolipids and rhamnolipids) for personal care and cleaning. Comparable as an early-stage bio-surfactant platform with similar technology category and target end markets, though using fermentation rather than synthetic chemistry.
- Conagen: US synthetic biology company producing bio-based ingredients including biosurfactants via fermentation for personal care and industrial applications. Comparable as a developer of bio-based specialty ingredients with overlapping customers and a similar early-commercialization stage.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
GlycoSurf, Inc. social profiles
Digital presenceGlycoSurf, Inc. compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
GlycoSurf, Inc. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
GlycoSurf, Inc. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
GlycoSurf, Inc. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds9 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
GlycoSurf, Inc. M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about GlycoSurf, Inc.
What does GlycoSurf, Inc. do?
GlycoSurf manufactures and sells high-purity (>95%), bio-inspired glycolipid surfactants — including rhamnolipids and sugar-based surfactants with customizable tail groups (C8–C18) — through its e-commerce storefront and custom synthesis services. The company also produces the BetaRox™ beta-hydroxy fatty acid (BHA) platform for skincare applications and develops glycolipid-based sorption media for rare earth element separation under government-funded R&D partnerships.
Is GlycoSurf, Inc. a public or private company?
GlycoSurf, Inc. is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was GlycoSurf, Inc. founded?
GlycoSurf, Inc. was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is GlycoSurf, Inc. based?
GlycoSurf, Inc. is headquartered in Salt Lake City, United States, in the North America region.
How does GlycoSurf, Inc. make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Specialty Chemical Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are custom Synthesis Services and technology Licensing / R&D Partnerships.
Who are GlycoSurf, Inc.'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are TeeGene Biotech, Locus Performance Ingredients, Biotensidon and Saraya. Broad incumbents are Evonik, BASF, Stepan Company and Croda International. Emerging players are Holiferm and Conagen.
Does GlycoSurf, Inc. have an API?
No public API is recorded for GlycoSurf, Inc..
What industry is GlycoSurf, Inc. in?
GlycoSurf, Inc.'s product category is Specialty Chemicals (Biosurfactants). Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAAAIAE, Bio-based Surfactants, Detergent Ingredients & Oleochemicals, with a secondary code of IMAEAAAI, Commodity Surfactants & Detergent Base Chemicals. Its NAICS code is 325613 and its SIC code is 2833.