Equity How one biotech startup is betting on cows and winning over investors
Jun 25, 2025
Kathryn Polkoff, Co-founder and CEO of Hoofprint Biome, dives into an innovative approach to combating climate change by reprogramming cow microbiomes with enzymes. She reveals how this breakthrough can significantly reduce methane emissions and improve feed efficiency. Kathryn shares insights on her journey through animal science, emphasizing the unique perspective of thinking like a farmer. With a recent $15 million funding boost, her startup is blending AI and biology to create a sustainable future for livestock and our planet.
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Methanogens and Climate Impact
- Methanogens are microbes that produce methane by stealing nutrients from other microbes.
- Methane is a potent greenhouse gas but reducing it can quickly impact climate change due to its short atmospheric lifespan.
Using AI to Discover Enzymes
- Hoofprint Biome uses AI to mine microbial DNA and identify enzymes that reduce methane production naturally.
- They seek enzymes effective across diverse cows globally to optimize the rumen microbiome.
AI Accelerates Biotech Research
- AI and machine learning accelerate enzyme discovery by filtering noise and speeding experimental cycles.
- Proprietary models allow running years of experiments virtually in a fraction of the time.