Ashley Beckwith dedicated years of her academic and professional journey to exploring the convergence of biology, materials, and manufacturing in order to enhance the efficiency of building medical solutions. However, upon realizing the potential application of this technology to plants and plant-based materials, an area in dire need of innovation, she made the decision to pivot her focus.
In a conversation with TechCrunch, Beckwith emphasized the critical state of global plant populations, expressing concern about the alarming rate of plant species facing extinction and the shrinking of forest landscapes untouched by human intervention. Motivated by these challenges, Beckwith founded Foray Bioscience in February 2022, leveraging biomanufacturing to cultivate plant-based materials, seeds, and molecules in a sustainable manner.
While biomanufacturing has a century-long history, its practical applications for plants have been limited. Beckwith highlighted the complexities of cultivating plant cell cultures due to the unique characteristics of each plant species. Foray aims to address this issue through a database-driven approach, offering predictive insights and experimental guidance to accelerate research and development across various plant species.
Beckwith envisions Foray as a pioneer in plant-less production, aiming to reduce reliance on plant resources while enhancing sustainability efforts. The startup, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, recently secured a $3 million seed funding round led by ReGen Ventures, with additional participation from Engine Ventures, Understorey Ventures, and Superorganism, bringing the total funding raised to $3.875 million.
Beckwith acknowledged the challenge of fundraising due to Foray’s interdisciplinary nature bridging manufacturing, biology, and conservation. The startup’s unconventional approach reflects Beckwith’s determination to carve out a niche for her innovative research in plant biomanufacturing.
Transitioning from academia to entrepreneurship, Beckwith described the journey as a transformative process, emphasizing the collaborative efforts with other companies to establish biomanufacturing practices. Foray’s future goals include developing a genetic banking system for plant seeds to support conservation initiatives.
Drawing parallels with the emergence of lab-grown meat and seafood, Beckwith envisions Foray’s technology as a sustainable alternative to traditional resource consumption. By maximizing efficiency and minimizing environmental impact, Foray aims to meet society’s needs while preserving natural resources for future generations.
