Eshan Samaranayake Email & Phone Number

Early-stage investments in climate-friendly food tech startups in Asia Pacific.We invest primarily in the founding, pre-seed and seed-stage companies in the following technologies:- Biomass fermentation- Precision fermentation- Plant based- Cultivated/Cell-cultured - Molecular farming- Climate agricultureIf your project contributes to a better food system for people, animals, and the planet, let's talk! Email: eshan@betterbite.vc

The latest updates at the intersection of biotech and agrifood, covering research breakthroughs, commercial innovations, and emerging trends for a better food system. Join 1,000+ changemakers passionate about a climate-friendly food system.

Science Park, Hong Kong

Geb Impact Technology is a Hong Kong-based food biotechnology company specialising in producing high-quality microalgae as a novel ingredient for the alternative protein market. My work includes:- Pioneered a modular bioreactor system (patent holder CN218596376U), enhancing microbial biomass production for human consumption; achieved over 25 times cost reduction compared to standard methods.- Led production operations, achieving a >200% increase in microbial biomass yield… Show more Geb Impact Technology is a Hong Kong-based food biotechnology company specialising in producing high-quality microalgae as a novel ingredient for the alternative protein market. My work includes:- Pioneered a modular bioreactor system (patent holder CN218596376U), enhancing microbial biomass production for human consumption; achieved over 25 times cost reduction compared to standard methods.- Led production operations, achieving a >200% increase in microbial biomass yield at the pilot scale while ensuring seamless fulfilment of customer demands.- Co-authored a published research paper detailing a patent-pending cultivation method, which enhances microbial biomass productivity by 50-150% (compared to standard methods), while reducing the cycle time for commercial biotech applications.- Spearheaded corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and established key partnerships with educational institutes. Led STEM workshops for >50 students, igniting biotech interest and providing expert technical advice to enhance program efficacy.- Devised and implemented a proprietary SOP for upstream processes, cutting production costs by 50% and streamlining downstream processing costs by 30%.- Build financial models to project revenue, determine company and patent portfolio valuation, and strategise customer acquisition. - Led techno-economic analysis for 10x production scale-up by building financial models and cost assessments to support strategic decision-making.- Managed external communications with universities and other educational institutes - Conducted market research to identify opportunities for novel food applications, leading to the successful development of two new products.- Conducted microbiological sampling and analysis to ensure contamination-free cultivation- Conducted macro nutritional composition analysis to maintain product standard- Managed product outflow to customers and handled post-sale customer support Show less

Central, Hong Kong

GT Healthcare Capital Partners is an innovative private equity operator focusing on backing global biotech leaders and integrating science across continents to provide cutting-edge medical technology to the largest population in the world. GT Healthcare intends to provide capital and scale expertise to healthcare businesses in Asia/Greater China.My responsibilities include:• Assisted in evaluating new investment opportunities through market research, product reviews, competitive… Show more GT Healthcare Capital Partners is an innovative private equity operator focusing on backing global biotech leaders and integrating science across continents to provide cutting-edge medical technology to the largest population in the world. GT Healthcare intends to provide capital and scale expertise to healthcare businesses in Asia/Greater China.My responsibilities include:• Assisted in evaluating new investment opportunities through market research, product reviews, competitive analysis, and technical diligence• Developed potential business opportunities with a US-based Medical Wearables Company to obtain exclusive rights to sell their products in China• Assisted in valuation and term sheet writing for a Joint-Venture (JV) with a US-based Medical Device Company in China to co-develop and commercialize a surgical treatment for bariatric diseases • Conducted industry research and analysis on Healthcare, Pharmaceutical, and Medical Devices sector • Outlined value proposition of portfolio companies to potential Limited Partners (LPs) through tailored pitch decks• Played an active role in generating ideas, financial modelling, and documentation Show less

Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Capgemini is a global leader in consulting, digital transformation, technology and engineering services. The Group is at the forefront of innovation to address the entire breadth of clients’ opportunities in the evolving world of cloud, digital and platforms. My responsibilities include:- Assisting multimillion-dollar bidding of a data analytics platform to leverage the large data sets owned by the client.- Assist in creating a proposal response understanding client's… Show more Capgemini is a global leader in consulting, digital transformation, technology and engineering services. The Group is at the forefront of innovation to address the entire breadth of clients’ opportunities in the evolving world of cloud, digital and platforms. My responsibilities include:- Assisting multimillion-dollar bidding of a data analytics platform to leverage the large data sets owned by the client.- Assist in creating a proposal response understanding client's industry and pain points.- Conduct market research to aid the bidding processes.- Collaborating with Capgemini members in India to create presentation decks to facilitate client meetings. Show less

Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

FastLane Group is an accountancy and advisory firm that combines innovation and technology to expert professional services within the SME market, with a particular focus on Entrepreneurs, Startups, Fast Growing Technology Companies, Startup Angel Investors and Venture Capitalists. We provide best in class service for businesses wishing to launch and operate in Hong Kong, ensuring they maintain the financial and compliance needs as regulated in Hong Kong.- Used cloud-based accounting… Show more FastLane Group is an accountancy and advisory firm that combines innovation and technology to expert professional services within the SME market, with a particular focus on Entrepreneurs, Startups, Fast Growing Technology Companies, Startup Angel Investors and Venture Capitalists. We provide best in class service for businesses wishing to launch and operate in Hong Kong, ensuring they maintain the financial and compliance needs as regulated in Hong Kong.- Used cloud-based accounting software to maximize the handling of clients’ finances.- Handling payroll and MPF for client companies, by updating employee MPF monthly.- Boosted the company website traffic by ~ 50% by improving the SEO and by posting blogs about the company on sites such as HSBC, Medium, and Mix.- Facilitated client interactions by organizing meetings Show less

Sheung Shui, Hong Kong

Geb Impact Technology Company Limited is a Hong Kong based premium biotechnology company in the business of cultivating selected micro algae. We engineer and design production processes to meet emerging healthy lifestyle market demands. Geb Impact produces and promotes application of high-value bioactive elements from micro algae to serve various industries, including skin care, cosmetics and culinary sectors.My responsibilities include:- Co-author of a book chapter titled:… Show more Geb Impact Technology Company Limited is a Hong Kong based premium biotechnology company in the business of cultivating selected micro algae. We engineer and design production processes to meet emerging healthy lifestyle market demands. Geb Impact produces and promotes application of high-value bioactive elements from micro algae to serve various industries, including skin care, cosmetics and culinary sectors.My responsibilities include:- Co-author of a book chapter titled: 'Microalgae Biotechnology for Food, Health and High-Value Products' published by Springer.- Assisted the filing of a patent for algal harvesting technology.- Explored the patent landscape in Hong Kong and analysed microalgae harvesting technology patent landscape globally.- Acquired microalgal harvesting techniques and assisted in writing the company SOP for algal cultivation.- Advocated changes to procedures leading to a ~17.5% increase of dry biomass yield.- Completed the Biomedical Support Centre training program in Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation. Show less

Central, Hong Kong

Asia Microbiota Bank (AMB) is devoted to health and wellness promoted through the treatment of Human Microbiota Transfer (HMT) therapy, also known as fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). AMB is Asia’s first commercial stool bank focused on collecting microbiota from healthy human donors. The internship at AMB gave me an insight into the work of the biotech industry. My responsibilities include:- Assisted in clinical operations. Analysed patient and donor data and engaged in… Show more Asia Microbiota Bank (AMB) is devoted to health and wellness promoted through the treatment of Human Microbiota Transfer (HMT) therapy, also known as fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). AMB is Asia’s first commercial stool bank focused on collecting microbiota from healthy human donors. The internship at AMB gave me an insight into the work of the biotech industry. My responsibilities include:- Assisted in clinical operations. Analysed patient and donor data and engaged in patient communications.- Compiled scientific journals and prepared concise reports regarding gut health to post on company social media.- Acquired gut microbiome cultivating techniques and studied the potential of the gut microbiome to affect health. Show less

Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong

The second stint working with Dr. Habimana from the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Hong Kong. Studied the growth of bacteria on microplastic under varying incubation temperatures and varying nutrient availability.

Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong

During the summer I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Habimana from the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Hong Kong. Over the programme, my main project was to evaluate the status of a bioreactor which required me to study, calibrate and test the components of the bioreactor. Additionally, during my stay at the lab, I studied about biofilm growth which was Dr. Habimana's field of interest at the time. I learned about biofilms by reading research articles, through Dr.… Show more During the summer I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Habimana from the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Hong Kong. Over the programme, my main project was to evaluate the status of a bioreactor which required me to study, calibrate and test the components of the bioreactor. Additionally, during my stay at the lab, I studied about biofilm growth which was Dr. Habimana's field of interest at the time. I learned about biofilms by reading research articles, through Dr. Habimana and the post-graduate colleagues. Being an undergraduate, I gained invaluable knowledge about biofilms and general biotechnology from the post-graduate students in my team. I had the privilege of presenting my literature findings regarding biofilms to my team on two separate occasions. Show less

Colombo, Western, Sri Lanka

The internship at Genetech initiated my enthusiasm towards gene technology. I managed to grasp the theories involved in complex DNA techniques used in the laboratories. During my internship, I learned about the application of DNA technology in Forensics for analysis of crime scene evidence, DNA fingerprinting for parentage testing and DNA based diagnostic tests for various pathogens which gave me a better understanding of gene technology. More importantly, through the internship at genetech, I… Show more The internship at Genetech initiated my enthusiasm towards gene technology. I managed to grasp the theories involved in complex DNA techniques used in the laboratories. During my internship, I learned about the application of DNA technology in Forensics for analysis of crime scene evidence, DNA fingerprinting for parentage testing and DNA based diagnostic tests for various pathogens which gave me a better understanding of gene technology. More importantly, through the internship at genetech, I got my first taste of working with professors and colleagues at a laboratory. Show less

Bachelor Of Science, Molecular Biology And Biotechnology

Activities and Societies: Vice-President of The University of Hong Kong Dragon Boat Team (HKUSU) (2019-2020) General Secretary.

Master Of Science - Msc, Biotechnology

Part-time

Education record

Activities and Societies: Karate High school Colombo, Sri Lanka

Education record

Activities and Societies: Karate Team Preschool, Primary and Secondary school