Can a single innovation unlock multiple billion-dollar markets?Larissa is the CEO of APEXzymes, a Brazilian biotech startup that produces cost-effective enzymes for sustainable industrial applications. During our conversation, Larissa shares her journey from chemical engineering to venture capital and entrepreneurship.Topics in this episode0:00 Intro1:06 From Chemical Engineer to VC to Founder4:56 Why Leave Venture Capital to Build a Startup?6:38 How Self-Doubt Can Drive Innovation8:25 Advice Before Starting APEXzymes9:34 What Are Enzymes and Why Do They Matter?12:19 APEXzymes’ Value Proposition13:40 What Investors Miss About APEXzymes17:13 Key Markets: Biofuels, Cattle Feed & More19:48 How Enzymes Boost Productivity and Cut Methane22:11 Early Commercial Traction23:58 Communicating Traction to Investors27:50 Turning Enzyme Strains Into Patentable Assets32:43 Balancing Focus vs. Market Size38:12 Lessons from Fundraising and Non-Dilutive Grants43:33 What GRIDX Saw in APEXzymes46:05 Building Trust With Co-Founders49:00 Aligning Weekly Tasks With Long-Term Vision55:22 What’s Next for APEXzymes?Follow APEXzymes on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/apexzymes/posts/?feedView=allConnect with Larissa on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/larissadefv/Email Larissa [email protected] with JP Orlov on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jp-orlov/Follow Science VC on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/science-vcFollow Science VC on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/science.vcSubscribe to Science VC on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ScienceVCSubscribe to our Newsletter https://substack.com/@jporlovLearn how WeArePalta can help your deeptech company communicate its science and impact https://www.wearepalta.com/

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