Top: Images courtesy BEAM Circular

BEAM Circular was created to build a vibrant regional ecosystem for the circular bioeconomy in California’s agricultural heartland, the North San Joaquin Valley. The organization works with industry, government, community, and educators to “advance solutions that transform organic residues and byproducts from the food and agriculture system — such as orchard trimmings, nut shells, food scraps, and livestock waste — into everything from building materials to renewable energy to industrial chemicals to consumer goods,” states the organization’s website. “We are facilitating collaboration and catalyzing action through the BioEconomy, Agriculture, and Manufacturing (BEAM) Initiative — a portfolio of public and private projects designed to scale the most promising innovations in bioindustrial manufacturing and to advance solutions that support economic and environmental outcomes for local communities.” Its BEAM Circular Accelerator, a collaboration with gener8tor, supports early-stage companies that focus on biomanufacturing, waste transformation, and circular solutions. For the inaugural cohort launched in February, $30,000 in non-dilutive funding, up to $100,000 in follow-on venture capital investment and grant resources, and access to an extensive network of mentors and industry leaders were made available to six start-ups. Among them is FIT Candy, which creates healthy, all-natural sweet and sour candy made from upcycled watermelon rinds.