Our History

Started in 2013 by Harshal Chokhawala and Jon Kuchenreuther following their post-doctoral research together at University of California Berkeley, ZymoChem is breakthrough science for a fossil-free future.

As the partners worked to refine their processes and ultimately patent their breakthrough organic chemistry now known as Carbon Conserving Technology, they drew on one another’s strengths to expand the organization and scale their product lines. 

It was the inspiration from their personal lives – notably becoming fathers – that helped guide where their technology would first make an impact.

COMPANY ORIGINS

Co-Founders Harshal Chokhawala and Jon Kuchenreuther, with Murthy Konda (an early co-founder)

KEY MILESTONES

2013

  • We started as an idea on paper…

2014

  • Sought out Grants to support our work

2015

  • Formally incorporated and located the lab in Berkeley, CA

  • Accepted into the InbieBio Program

  • Supported by the Department of Energy ($250k) + USDA ($100k)

2016

2018

  • The applications for our Polymers business expanded

  • Our partnership with Agile BioFoundry was funded by U.S. Dept. of Energy BETO

2019

  • ZymoChem underwent its first growth surge, leading to the relocation of its laboratories to Alameda, CA

  • A meaningful discovery is made: a viable Bio-SAP
    (The initial idea came when Harshal’s wife was pregnant and learned that micro-plastics could pass through the placenta)

  • Critical IP for C2 Technology was discovered

2020

2021

2022

  • Established a collaboration with the World’s leading apparel brand

  • Expanded presence with a satellite office in Burlington, Vermont

2023

2024

2025