At LabStart, we support brilliant entrepreneurs willing to bring bold climate ideas to market. Our 2026 Launch cohort includes six fellows with outstanding talent and hustle, and they inspire us every day. 

Let’s get to know them better!
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Sebastian Garcia: Khaya Biosciences

From: Bogotá, Colombia
Currently: Dothan, AL

Sebastian is a Colombian-born scientist converting waste from the beer and dairy industries into agricultural products that reduce cost and increase yields.
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Q. What first sparked your interest in entrepreneurship?
A. I’m inspired by a desire for my work to have a more direct impact on the world. I’m also interested in using biological sciences to bridge sustainability gaps. 

Q. What problem is your startup solving?
A. When it comes to the materials we use as a society, there’s a big gap between their utility and their half-life. We're using things for only a handful of weeks, but they remain in the environment for hundreds of years.

Biology is a way to bridge that gap, because there are strong biodegradable materials available in nature. But the problem with biomaterials in scaling and industry is that they're often too expensive to manufacture. 

Khaya Biosciences is incorporating the mentality of the ecosystem in our manufacturing process, meaning we're starting with the waste of an industrial process and then converting that waste into usable food to fuel the production of biomaterials. The biomaterials can then be used for multiple purposes and can compete against pollutants in various industries.
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Q. Why did you apply to the LabStart fellowship specifically?
‍A. When I first learned about LabStart, I felt a sense of community that I thought was quite valuable when it comes to launching an early company. And through my time working with them, I've realized it wasn't just a front—they really care about helping us reach the next level as founders but also as people. And it’s not just about the profit. It's about changing the world in a positive way.

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Q.  How is LabStart transforming your journey?
A. This is a formative year for me and for Khaya, because I recently relocated from New York City to a farming community in Alabama that’s investing in biotechnology and bringing solutions to the region.

Part of what LabStart will be helping me with is making sure the business model makes sense not just for us, but for the people that are opening their doors to us and welcoming us into their communities. Ultimately it's not only about the technology, it's about the communities that we have an impact on.

Q. Can you say more about that? How are you thinking about community impact with your startup?
A. When it comes to climate tech, not only do you have an opportunity to change the amount of pollutants and emissions that we're generating, it's also an opportunity to change how we do business. 

Climate change will affect all of us. So it makes sense that the solutions that we're incorporating should take communities into account firsthand.

LabStart has shown me that they see the world similarly. I feel confident that they can help me navigate designing a business that is profitable and can grow, while also making sure we're helping the communities that we're incorporated in.

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Meet our other fellows!

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