776 Foundation - ClimateTech Grant
Alinta Furnell, an alumna of UNSW Founders Peter Farrell Cup (2021) and Health 10x Accelerator (2021) programs, has recently been awarded a grant of $150,000 for Synbiote through a Fellowship from the esteemed 776 Foundation. This foundation, managed by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian's Seven Seven Six VC firm, focuses on climate-tech initiatives and aims to support ground-breaking projects that combat climate change and promote sustainability.
Alinta, Ismat Kabbara, and Vivid Savitri-Hampton are the visionary co-founders of Synbiote, a biotechnology startup that is dedicated to harnessing the power of microbiology to address key climate issues affecting people and the planet. Their overarching mission is to improve global welfare by increasing the accessibility of biotechnology.
The name "Synbiote" itself encapsulates this unique fusion of ideas, drawing inspiration from the concept of symbiosis (noun) Derived from the Greek word "symbíōsis," where two distinct organisms collaborate harmoniously for mutual benefit, and combine it with the realm of synthetic biology.
The $150,000 grant received from the 776 Foundation will have a profound impact on Synbiote's ongoing climate-tech project, providing a significant boost toward addressing crucial issues such as wastewater management and resource scarcity. With a strong focus on creating sustainable and resilient solutions, Synbiote aims to make substantial contributions to mitigating the effects of climate change.
Alexis Ohanian, a prominent figure in the tech industry, has consistently shown his commitment to supporting young entrepreneurs dedicated to addressing the challenges posed by a warming planet. Ohanian firmly believes that climate change is the greatest existential threat humanity faces, emphasizing that if left unresolved, "nothing else is going to matter in a hundred years."
The Fellowship program, currently in its second cohort, selects 20 exceptional individuals from various parts of the world to work on specific climate-related problems. Each participant is granted $150,000 to advance their respective projects. Synbiote's involvement in this prestigious program will span until 2025, offering the time and space to begin making a measurable impact on the field.
Furnell said that Synbiote proudly stands as the sole Australian representative in this particular cohort, marking a significant achievement for the startup.
"I am so honoured to have been selected for the Fellowship. Through Synbiote, Ismat and I have been dedicated to our mission of creating a tangible impact for both people and the planet - the support of the 776 Foundation will be instrumental in achieving this. We are so grateful for this opportunity and are thrilled to work alongside these incredible founders in our shared journey towards a more sustainable world."
Excerpt taken from UNSW Founders, published June 2023.