TurtleTree

About TurtleTree

TurtleTree is a biotechnology company focused on cellular agriculture, initially gaining attention for its work in producing milk from cell cultivation.

The company was co-founded in 2019 by CEO Fengru Lin and Chief Strategist Max Rye. Lin's background in the technology and business development sectors, including roles at Google and Salesforce, provided a strong foundation for launching a science-intensive startup. Her personal journey with dairy, stemming from a desire for better-tasting cheese, evolved into a deep dive into the dairy industry's inefficiencies and environmental impact, ultimately sparking the idea for TurtleTree. Rye brings extensive experience in technology and design, having founded and managed multiple tech companies over two decades. His interest in sustainable food systems converged with Lin's vision to create the company.

TurtleTree's primary technological focus is on precision fermentation to create high-value, bioactive proteins that are biologically identical to those found in milk. The company has strategically shifted its initial focus from producing whole milk to commercializing specific valuable milk components. Its flagship product is LF+, a vegan lactoferrin. Lactoferrin is a protein with significant health benefits, including iron regulation, immune support, and gut health, making it a prized ingredient in infant formula, functional foods, and dietary supplements. By producing lactoferrin through fermentation, TurtleTree offers a solution that is not dependent on the fluctuating supply and costs associated with traditional extraction from cow's milk.

The business operates on a business-to-business (B2B) model, supplying its ingredients to companies in the food and beverage, infant nutrition, and health and wellness sectors. By providing these high-value components, TurtleTree enables its clients to enhance the nutritional profile of their own products, from plant-based milks and foods to performance nutrition and cosmetics. The company has achieved significant milestones, including securing a self-affirmed Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the US for its LF+ product, a crucial step for commercialization. TurtleTree has raised substantial capital through various funding rounds, including a $30 million Series A in 2021, to scale its operations and advance its research and development capabilities.