Darko Mandich has been appointed as the new Managing Director of the BEAM Circular Accelerator powered by gener8tor, a program dedicated to advancing innovation in the circular bioeconomy and supporting startups that convert agricultural waste into valuable, sustainable products. This initiative aims to foster breakthroughs in biomanufacturing, waste transformation, and circular solutions within agriculture and natural resources.
Following the successful launch of its first cohort in February 2025, the accelerator is now accepting applications for its next 12-week cohort, with a deadline of January 11, 2026. The program is a collaborative effort between BEAM Circular, a nonprofit focused on building a regional ecosystem for the circular bioeconomy in California’s San Joaquin Valley, and gener8tor, a global venture firm and accelerator network.
In his new role, Mandich will leverage his extensive experience as a bioeconomy leader to support early- to mid-stage companies developing innovative solutions that promote sustainable use of biological resources. His background includes building and scaling bioeconomy ventures, founding a bioeconomy accelerator in Europe backed by the European Union, and successfully leading ventures focused on transforming agricultural waste into bio-based products.
Karen Warner, CEO at BEAM Circular, praised Mandich’s appointment: “Darko’s proven track record in building and scaling bioeconomy ventures makes him the ideal leader to guide our accelerator through its next phase of growth. His deep understanding of bioresource innovation and the circular economy ecosystem will be invaluable to the startups we support. We’re excited to see how he will help us realize our vision of making the San Joaquin Valley a global hub for circular bioeconomy innovation.”
Mandich emphasizes the region’s potential: “This region is the heart of America’s agriculture, and I believe the next wave of bio-based innovation will emerge here. Our mission is to ensure that the value created through bioresource technology stays in the region, benefiting local communities and creating sustainable economic growth. We’re starting locally to build something globally impactful—transforming agriculture, waste, and manufacturing into a truly circular bioeconomy.”
The BEAM Circular Accelerator is accepting applications for its upcoming cohort, with a focus on startups developing solutions in sustainable agriculture, renewable bioresources, circular manufacturing, and waste reduction. The program will select five startups and provide comprehensive support including:
- $15,000 non-dilutive grant (disbursed at program start)
- $35,000 investment (disbursed at program end)
- $50,000 in California Bioeconomy Innovation Campus credits
Participants will also benefit from:
- Gener8tor’s 12-week concierge accelerator with expert mentors
- Access to a strategic network of bioeconomy companies, academic institutions, and industry leaders
- Deals and perks from partners like AWS, IBM Cloud, Microsoft, and HubSpot
- An opportunity to pitch at a showcase event to investors and community leaders
Throughout the program, startups will receive personalized coaching, industry connections, lab and office space in the San Joaquin Valley—an ideal region for bioresource innovation due to its extensive agricultural feedstocks, manufacturing infrastructure, and proximity to biotech hubs in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Founders working on sustainable agriculture, renewable bioresources, circular manufacturing, and waste reduction are encouraged to apply.
This initiative aims to position the San Joaquin Valley as a global leader in circular bioeconomy innovation, turning agricultural waste into sustainable, high-value products that benefit both the economy and the environment.
