Ourobio
Ourobio is an early-stage synthetic biology company that engineers microorganisms to ferment industrial byproducts into biodegradable PHA bioplastics and additives. It serves footwear brands and consumer goods manufacturers seeking sustainable material alternatives through direct B2B sales and technology licensing.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersCharlottesville, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Ourobio does
Ourobio, operating under the legal entity Transfoam LLC, is an early-stage synthetic biology company that engineers microorganisms to convert industrial byproducts into polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and complementary bio-based additives via fermentation. Its core technological differentiator is the ability of its proprietary microbial strains to co-produce multiple complementary biomaterials simultaneously in a single fermentation run, using waste-based feedstocks such as dairy processing byproducts — thereby reducing both input costs and land/nutrient competition with food production. Founded as an iGEM research project at the University of Virginia in 2019 and spun out in March 2020, the company relocated from Charlottesville, Virginia to a shared lab at the Indiana Bioscience Research Institute in Indianapolis in October 2022.
The company's product portfolio centers on PHA biodegradable plastic resins intended to replace petrochemical plastics in products and packaging, supported by bio-based additives designed to accelerate PHA adoption. Ourobio operates as a B2B biomaterials supplier and technology licensor, monetizing through three stated revenue streams: direct biomaterial sales, licensing of its fermentation technologies, and consulting services such as waste stream analysis and material formulation. Its primary target customers are footwear brands and consumer goods manufacturers seeking sustainable, biodegradable material alternatives, with the company recently demonstrating 3D-printed PHA soles through the Korvaa Consortium at the Future Fabrics Expo 2025 in London.
The company remains in early-stage R&D and prototype demonstration, with disclosed funding of approximately $190,000 across four rounds, 1-10 employees, no disclosed commercial customers, and no published revenue figures. Distribution is conducted through direct B2B outreach via the company website and organic social channels, with strategic partnerships (Ecovative, Modern Synthesis) serving as the primary go-to-market validation mechanism.
Ourobio firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ourobio
- Legal name
- Transfoam LLC
- Website
- https://ourobio.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Ourobio is an early-stage synthetic biology company that engineers microorganisms to ferment industrial byproducts into biodegradable PHA bioplastics and additives. It serves footwear brands and consumer goods manufacturers seeking sustainable material alternatives through direct B2B sales and technology licensing.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ourobio industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Biodegradable Biomaterials / Bioplastics
- NAICS
- Petrochemical Manufacturing (32511)
- SIC
- Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Bio-based & Biodegradable Polymer Resin Manufacturing (PLA, PHA, PBS, starch blends) (IMANAAAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Bio-Based & Biodegradable Compounds (PLA/PHA/Starch Blends) (IMANABAF), Compostable & Bio-Based Packaging (PLA/PHA, Starch Blends, Cellulose Films) (IMALAMAB)
Keywords
Where Ourobio is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Charlottesville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Ourobio business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Biomaterial Sales: Sale of bio-based, biodegradable plastic resins and additives produced through fermentation to brands seeking sustainable material alternatives.
- Technology Licensing: Licensing of proprietary fermentation technologies to third parties for their own biomanufacturing operations.
- Consulting Services: Services including waste stream analysis and product/material formulation to help brands adopt more sustainable materials.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Ourobio product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ourobio develops engineered microorganisms that upcycle industrial byproducts (e.g., dairy processing waste) into polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) — bio-based, biodegradable plastic resins — and complementary bio-based additives through fermentation. Their microbes can co-produce multiple complementary biomaterials simultaneously in a single fermentation run without competing with food production for land or nutrients, and the resulting PHAs can be processed (including via 3D printing) into components such as footwear soles.
Product overview
Ourobio develops engineered microorganisms to turn industrial byproducts into biomaterials through fermentation. Their product portfolio includes polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) - bio-based, biodegradable plastic resins that replace petroplastics, and complementary bio-based additives that accelerate PHA adoption. Ourobio's unique microbes produce multiple complementary biomaterials simultaneously in a single fermentation process using waste-based feedstocks. Services offered include waste stream analysis, product/material formulation, and licensing of fermentation technologies. The company partnered with the Korvaa Consortium to 3D print soles for concept footwear using PHAs, demonstrating how nature-based materials can replace traditional synthetic components.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) A class of bio-based, biodegradable polyesters produced through fermentation using engineered microorganisms and industrial byproducts. PHAs can replace petroplastics in products and packaging and are sold as a resin to brands seeking sustainable material alternatives.
- Bio-based additives Bio-based additives designed to accelerate PHA adoption and enhance material properties for various applications. Sold as formulation components to manufacturers.
- Korvaa concept footwear - PHA sole 3D printed sole using polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), produced as part of the Korvaa Consortium's collaborative concept footwear project demonstrating nature-based material alternatives to traditional synthetics.
- Waste stream analysis and material formulation consulting Consulting services including waste stream analysis and product/material formulation to help brands adopt more sustainable materials.
Quantifiable outcome
- Founded as Transfoam in early 2019, spun out in March 2020
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Ourobio
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Ourobio technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Ourobio partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Modern SynthesiscoreModern Synthesis supplied bacterial nanocellulose upper for the Korvaa concept footwear - a three-way biomaterial collaboration demonstrating nature-based materials replacing traditional synthetic components.
- EcovativecoreEcovative grew mycelium in the sole of the Korvaa concept footwear over seven days as part of the biomaterial collaboration. Ecovative specializes in mycelium-based materials.
- TransfoamcoreOurobio originated from Transfoam, which began as an iGEM research project at the University of Virginia in early 2019. Transfoam represents Ourobio's predecessor and continuing identity in the synthetic biology community.
- Korvaa ConsortiumcoreThe Korvaa Consortium unveiled concept footwear at the Future Fabrics Expo 2025 in London. Ourobio 3D printed the sole using polyhydroxyalkanoates as part of this collaborative effort demonstrating bio-based materials in footwear applications.
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Ourobio competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Customer concentration
Ourobio social profiles
Digital presenceOurobio financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ourobio leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Ourobio funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ourobio 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 Ourobio
What does Ourobio do?
Ourobio develops engineered microorganisms that upcycle industrial byproducts (e.g., dairy processing waste) into polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) — bio-based, biodegradable plastic resins — and complementary bio-based additives through fermentation. Their microbes can co-produce multiple complementary biomaterials simultaneously in a single fermentation run without competing with food production for land or nutrients, and the resulting PHAs can be processed (including via 3D printing) into components such as footwear soles.
Is Ourobio a public or private company?
Ourobio is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Ourobio founded?
Ourobio was founded in 2019. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Ourobio based?
Ourobio is headquartered in Charlottesville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ourobio make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Biomaterial Sales are the primary driver. The others are technology Licensing and consulting Services.
Does Ourobio have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ourobio.
What industry is Ourobio in?
Ourobio's product category is Biodegradable Biomaterials / Bioplastics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMANAAAG, Bio-based & Biodegradable Polymer Resin Manufacturing (PLA, PHA, PBS, starch blends), with a secondary code of IMANABAF, Bio-Based & Biodegradable Compounds (PLA/PHA/Starch Blends). Its NAICS code is 32511 and its SIC code is 2860.