baCta
Category: AI in Climate / Energy
AI-powered bioproduction platform using engineered microorganisms as programmable molecular factories to produce sustainable industrial ingredients through precision fermentation. baCta was founded in 2024. The company is led by Mathieu Nohet. Based in Paris, France. Team size: 10-50. Total funding raised: €10.3M. Latest round: Seed (€7.0M, Mar 2026). Key investors include LocalGlobe, Daphni, OVNI Capital, Kima Ventures, Sharpstone Capital, another.vc.
- Founded
- 2024
- Headquarters
- Paris, France
- Team size
- 10-50
- Total funding
- €10.3M
Value proposition
Provides fermentation-based industrial ingredients with up to 60% emission reduction compared to synthetic alternatives, offering nature-identical, highly bioavailable products with superior functional properties (pigmentation, retention, neutral flavor) at competitive pricing through AI-optimized production.
Products and solutions
Asta-BioLytica™ (bioproduced astaxanthin; first commercial product; oil-soluble, CWD beadlets, crystals), Carbon-negative natural rubber (platform capability), AI-powered strain engineering platform (baCtaForge), Precision fermentation biofoundry services, Full-stack bioproduction solutions
Unique value
Three-pillar technology platform: (1) baCtaForge - Genome-to-Factory AI model achieving predictive throughput with higher success rates and lower costs, (2) Precision Biofoundry - Proprietary wet-lab automation combining AI with high-throughput experimentation to obtain optimal strains faster, (3) Full-stack bioproduction - Standardized bioprocesses from fermentation to downstream processing enabling efficient scaling. Products deliver nature-identical, free-form, highly bioavailable ingredients with superior pigmentation power and muscle retention versus synthetic or algae-derived alternatives.
Target customer
Animal feed manufacturers (aquaculture, livestock), pet food companies, dietary supplement producers, cosmetic formulators, and industrial ingredient buyers seeking sustainable alternatives to synthetic or fossil-based ingredients
Industries served
Animal Nutrition & Aquaculture, Pet Food, Dietary Supplements, Cosmetics & Personal Care, Industrial Biotechnology, Synthetic Biology
Technology advantage
Integrates AI-driven strain engineering with automated wet-lab processes to move beyond traditional high-throughput screening, enabling faster strain optimization and reduced development costs. The platform approach allows expansion across multiple high-value industrial ingredients (astaxanthin, natural rubber) using the same core technology stack. Achieves up to 60% emission reduction compared to fossil-based synthetic ingredients while maintaining competitive pricing through AI-optimized production efficiency.
How they differentiate
AI-powered bioproduction platform (baCtaForge) combining Genome-to-Factory AI model with Precision Biofoundry for predictive throughput and faster strain optimization. Achieves up to 60% emission reduction vs synthetic alternatives while delivering nature-identical, free-form, highly bioavailable ingredients with superior pigmentation power and muscle retention. Full-stack approach from strain engineering to industrial-scale production.
Main competitors
DSM-Firmenich AG, Algatech Ltd., Cyanotech Corporation
Key partnerships
Strategic French industrial partner (undisclosed) - production facility access for pilot and commercial scaling, The HIVE Innovation Center / Kadans Science Partner (Villejuif lab & office space, Jun 2026), LocalGlobe (Seed round lead investor), Daphni (Seed round co-lead investor), OVNI Capital (Pre-Seed lead and Seed participant), Business angels including founders of Phagos, Genomines, and Mistral AI
Major milestones
Founded in January 2024, €3.3M Pre-Seed round led by OVNI Capital (Oct 2024), €7M Seed round led by LocalGlobe and Daphni (Mar 2026), First commercial product Asta-BioLytica™ (bioproduced astaxanthin; formerly b-Astaxanthin), Strategic partnership with French industrial player for production facility access, baCtaForge AI platform deployment for strain engineering, Joined The HIVE Innovation Center (Kadans Science Partner) in Villejuif (Jun 2026)
Growth metrics
Progressed from Pre-Seed to Seed stage within 18 months (€10.3M total); secured strategic French industrial partner for pilot/commercial production; developed baCtaForge AI platform; joined The HIVE Innovation Center (Villejuif) in Jun 2026 to scale lab capacity; commercializing Asta-BioLytica™ (samples/TDS available)
Market positioning
Early-stage AI-enabled precision fermentation startup targeting mid-market industrial ingredients sector with competitive pricing through AI-optimized production efficiency
Geographic focus
France (Paris HQ; lab at The HIVE Innovation Center, Villejuif/Campus Grand Parc), European Union, with strategic French industrial partnership for production facilities access
Patents and IP
No registered patents disclosed in public sources as of March 2026
About Mathieu Nohet
Engineer with background in mathematics and computer science. Previously founder of Manty (Govtech startup for public administration data analytics, 2016-2024), Teaching Assistant at Columbia Business School (2015-2016), and Software Engineer at Shift Payments (cryptocurrency company in Silicon Valley).
Latest news about baCta
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Official website: https://bacta.bio/