How to Disrupt a Legacy Industry: A Fireside Chat with John Bissell

In 2021, Origin Materials made waves when it went public through a unique merger with blank-check company Artius Acquisition (AACQ). At the time, the company was valued at upwards of $1 billion.

Origin Materials is a leader in developing carbon-negative materials and the years since the IPO have seen Origin Materials solidify its position in the sustainable materials market. They've strategically acquired major clients like Ford, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, Solvay, and Primloft – a company that supplies apparel giants like LL Bean, Nike, and Adidas.

Join us on June 20 for a fireside chat with Origin Co-Founder and CEO John Bissell. In a conversation with Founders Network Founder and CEO Kevin Holmes, John will explore his journey with Origin and the factors that have enabled the startup’s success.

A chemical engineer by training, John co-founded Origin Materials in 2008. Since then, he's led the company in its mission to develop sustainable materials derived from renewable biomass. Origin Materials is a pioneer in this field, tackling the challenge of creating high-performance materials without relying on fossil fuels. Their revolutionary technology is used to produce a carbon-negative plastic alternative, making them a game-changer in the fight against climate change.

During the fireside chat, John will discuss the challenges he faced early on in building a company in the traditionally slow-moving chemical industry. He'll also delve into the importance of building a strong, adaptable team and how Origin Materials fosters a culture of collaboration, a key factor in their success.

Opening Remarks @ 9:30am PT

Join us for opening remarks with Dina Fattom, Member Success Manager at Founders Network, to get the latest updates from the Network and opportunities for getting involved.

Keynote Speaker @ 9:40am PT

John Bissell co-founded Origin Materials in November 2008 and has served as its Chief Executive Officer and a member of its board of directors since inception. Mr. Bissell has extensive experience in R&D, engineering, and business development in the chemical industry.

In 2008, Mr. Bissell received the People, Prosperity, and the Planet Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and in 2014, he was on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the Energy & Industry category. Mr. Bissell holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Davis.

Stage-Based Roundtables @ 10:30am PT

Complimentary Ticket:

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About Founders Network:

Founded in 2011, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco, New York City, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Toronto, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here

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