Jonathan S. Wolfson

Jonathan S. Wolfson

Jonathan S. Wolfson is an American entrepreneur. He is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TerraVia,[1] a renewable oil and bioproducts company that produces, sustainable, pure, high-performance tailored algal oils using fermentation for multiple industries.[2] In 2013, Wolfson was named by Forbes as one of the top twelve "Disruptors in Business."[3]

Education

Jonathan S. Wolfson has masters degrees in law and business from NYU.[4]

Business career

Wolfson has held a variety of positions in finance, business, and law. Jonathan served as Vice President of Finance and Business Development at 7thOnline, as well as co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of InvestorTree.[5] In 2003, Jonathan moved from New York to Palo Alto, California to found the renewable oil company, TerraVia (formerly Solazyme), with college friend Harrison Dillon.[6] Jonathan first founded TerraVia with the goal of producing oil from microalgae for advanced biofuels, but along the way discovered that the company’s technology could produce tailored oils for chemicals, food and personal care applications as well.[6] TerraVia has commercial sales agreements with Unilever, Mitsui, Goulston, and more,[7] but has never been profitable. On August 2, 2017, TerraVia filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 and agreed to sell substantially all of the assets of the company for $20 million to a Netherlands-based food and biochemical company.[8]

Other interests

Wolfson has also served as adjunct assistant professor of economics at Hunter College of the City University of New York.[5] Wolfson is an active participant in many advisory groups, including sitting on the board of the Center for American Progress (CAP) Clean Tech Council. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and is on the governing board of BIO's Industrial and Environmental Section. Additionally, Wolfson sits on the supervisory board of Avantium, a renewable chemicals company, and on the Executive Council for the Advanced Biofuels Association (ABFA).[1]

Recognition

In September 2009, Wolfson accepted the "Green Leap" award from the Clinton Global Initiative for his commitment to commercializing Solazyme's breakthrough technology for renewable oil production for fuel and for food.[9]

In 2013, Wolfson was named by Forbes as one of the top twelve "Disruptors in Business".[3]

In 2015, Wolfson received the George Washington Carter Award for innovation in industrial biotechnology from the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO).

References

  1. 1 2 "Management Team". Solazyme. Retrieved 2013-11-16.
  2. ↑ Diane Cardwell. "For Solazyme, a Side Trip on the Way to Clean Fuel". The New York Times. Retrieved 2013-11-16.
  3. 1 2 "Jonathan Wolfson - The Disruptors 2013". Forbes. 2013-10-30. Retrieved 2013-11-16.
  4. ↑ "Alumnus of the Month | NYU School of Law". Law.nyu.edu. Retrieved 2013-11-16.
  5. 1 2 "Mercury News interview: Jonathan Wolfson, co-founder and CEO of Solazyme - San Jose Mercury News". Mercurynews.com. Retrieved 2013-11-16.
  6. 1 2 Diane Cardwell. "For Solazyme, a Side Trip on the Way to Clean Fuel". The New York Times. Retrieved 2013-11-16.
  7. ↑ Diane Cardwell. "Unilever to Buy Oil Derived From Algae From Solazyme". The New York Times. Retrieved 2013-11-16.
  8. ↑ "TerraVia Holdings, Inc. Enters Into Agreement for the Sale of Substantially All of Its Assets Subject to Competitive Bidding Process". www.businesswire.com. Retrieved 2017-08-04.
  9. ↑ Garber, Megan (2011-09-21). "A Conversation With Jonathan Wolfson, CEO of Solazyme - Nicholas Jackson". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2013-11-16.
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