BEAM Circular & HawkTower: A Critical New Collaboration to Boost the Circular Bioeconomy in California

HawkTower is thrilled to announce that Karen Warner, CEO of BEAM Circular, is joining our team as a Strategic Advisor on the circular bioeconomy and the Central Valley. Karen will provide invaluable insights and guidance on our investments in the biocircular space.

Simultaneously, Danny Bernstein, Managing Partner of HawkTower, will take on the role of Venture Advisor at BEAM Circular. This collaboration aims to foster and enhance strategies for strengthening the growing bioeconomy innovation ecosystem in the North San Joaquin Valley and exponentially increasing the availability of early-stage capital to biocircular startups in the agricultural heartland of California.

Understanding the Circular Bioeconomy
The circular bioeconomy is a sustainable economic model that uses renewable biological resources to produce food, materials, and energy. It emphasizes the recycling and reuse of biological waste, aiming to create a closed-loop system that minimizes environmental impact and promotes resource efficiency. This model supports transitioning from a traditional linear economy, where resources are used and disposed of, to a circular system that regenerates and sustains natural resources.

NSJV is uniquely positioned to lead on biocircular

Early-Stage Opportunities for Founders
The collaboration between HawkTower and BEAM Circular opens several early-stage opportunities for founders, particularly in the North San Joaquin Valley. Some promising areas include:

1. Bio-Based Products: Creating products made from renewable biological resources, such as biodegradable packaging, bio-plastics, low-carbon construction materials, novel nutritional and food products, organic fertilizers and pest management solutions, green cosmetics, and sustainable textiles. These innovations can significantly reduce reliance on fossil fuels and decrease environmental pollution.
2. Waste-to-Value Solutions: Transforming agricultural by-products and organic waste into valuable products such as bioenergy, upcycled food ingredients, biochar, and organic compost. These solutions help in managing waste sustainably and generating additional revenue streams.
3. Circular Supply Chains: Designing supply chains that prevent waste and prioritize the reuse and recycling of materials. This can involve developing platforms or technologies that track and optimize the lifecycle of biological resources, ensuring minimal waste and maximum efficiency.

Adding Expertise and Vision to HawkTower
Adding Karen Warner as a Strategic Advisor enriches HawkTower’s mission to nurture innovative startups in underleveraged regions of California. Karen’s extensive experience in regional economic development and her leadership in the circular bioeconomy through BEAM Circular will be pivotal in guiding our investment strategies. In return, Danny Bernstein’s appointment as a Venture Advisor at BEAM Circular marks a significant step in our collaborative efforts to drive biocircular innovation.

This collaboration signifies a lasting commitment to building an inclusive, next-generation economy in emerging California. Stay tuned for more updates as HawkTower and BEAM Circular work together to lead innovations that promise to shape a dynamic and prosperous future for the biocircular community and beyond.