Key Takeaways
- Number 8 Bio has raised USD 7.3 million (equivalent to AUD 11 million) in a Series A round led by Icehouse Ventures, with participation from Main Sequence and Japanese climate VC One Innovators.
- The Sydney-based startup develops a cost-effective organic small molecule to reduce methane emissions from enteric fermentation in cattle.
- Funding will support large-scale animal trials, regulatory approvals in New Zealand, Europe, and the U.S., and commercial readiness for a feed additive and six-month slow-release capsule by 2026.
- Number 8 Bio also plans to launch a carbon-insetting program enabling farmers and supply chains to claim verified emission reductions.
- Investors highlight the company's strong team, strong economics, and scalable climate impact.
Number 8 Bio Secures USD 7.3 Million in Series A Funding to Reduce Livestock Methane Emissions
Sydney-based startup Number 8 Bio has raised USD 7.3 million (AUD 11 million) in a Series A round aimed at accelerating the development and commercialization of its methane-reducing technologies for livestock. The round was led by New Zealand venture fund Icehouse Ventures, with continued support from existing investor Main Sequence and new participation from One Innovators, a Japanese climate-focused VC.
Founded in 2022 by Dr Tom Williams and Dr Alex Carpenter, the company emerged from the UNSW SynBio 10X Accelerator program, where it received the Positive Impact Award for its early innovations in agricultural methane mitigation.
Number 8 Bio Targets Enteric Fermentation, a Major Source of Agricultural Methane
Enteric fermentation—methane released through livestock burping—accounts for roughly 70% of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions in New South Wales and an estimated 10% of Australia’s total reportable emissions. Number 8 Bio is developing a cost-effective organic small molecule that can be manufactured domestically and incorporated into livestock feed.
The company’s product pipeline includes:
- A feed additive designed for daily supplementation
- A slow-release capsule lasting up to six months
Both are being developed for commercial release in 2026.
Funding Enables Large-Scale Trials and International Regulatory Approvals
The Series A funding will support:
- Large-scale animal trials to validate long-term efficacy and safety
- Regulatory processes across New Zealand, Europe, and the United States
- Commercial readiness and manufacturing scale-up
Number 8 Bio also plans to introduce a carbon-insetting program allowing farmers and supply chains to generate verified emissions-reduction credits from methane-mitigated cattle.
Investor Commentary Highlights Strong Leadership and Scalable Impact
Icehouse Ventures Principal Mason Bleakley shared additional comments on LinkedIn, noting: “After a year of on and off conversations with Thomas Williams, I developed deep conviction that this was an opportunity we couldn't miss. This isn't just a feel-good climate solution — Number 8 Bio delivers tangible value to every stakeholder in the value chain. The unit economics make sense immediately, which is the only path to real-world adoption at scale.”
