In this Meet the Startup episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, host Drew Wandzilak, Senior Associate at Alumni Ventures, introduces Cheri Ackerman, co-founder and CEO of Concerto Biosciences. Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Concerto is transforming how we use microbes to develop innovative products for health, agriculture, and beyond. Cheri dives into their groundbreaking technology, kChip, which tests millions of microbial combinations to discover effective microbial ecosystems. She discusses their clinical trials focused on conditions like eczema and yeast infections, emphasizing Concerto’s long-term vision of leveraging microbes to create sustainable, biology-based solutions. The conversation explores how Concerto aims to shift our understanding of microbes—from adversaries to powerful allies—reshaping industries and improving lives with their advanced biotech solutions. Tune in to discover the future potential of microbial innovation.

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Speakers:

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Intro
• (02:43) - Interview
• (38:25) - Cheri's Ask
• (41:19) - Closing

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