Profile: Piedmont Biofuels
August 11, 2008
The Startup Blog network will occasionally run profiles of start-ups in varying stages of development (and success). The idea is to showcase fresh ideas and spawn enthusiasm and, of course, new ideas for other start-ups.
For the NC blog we’re starting with a profile of a biofuel company in Pittsboro, NC. Yeah, that’s right, biofuel! We tend to think of startups as internet related ventures, and many are, but they don’t need to be. Having only lived in NC a few months, it quickly occurred to me how important agriculture is in this state. And the production of biofuel is a very nice combination of technology and agriculture.
WHO:
Piedmont Biofuels, Pittsboro, NC, http://biofuels.coop
CONCEPT:
Piedmont Biofuels produces, markets, and sells biodiesel from there facility in Pittsboro, NC. Additionally, they consult on setting up biodiesel businesses (plants and stations), provide training and lobby the NC legislature and national representatives, on behalf of biodiesel and renewable energy.
FOUNDERS:
Leif Forer, Rachel Burton and Lyle Estill founded the business (which is actually a coop) in 2003. It was born from one of the most common drivers behind start-ups: they wanted to solve a simple problem they had themselves, which was that they wanted to use renewable energy. Since it was not easy to come by, they decided to start producing it.
FUNDING:
Initial estimates for required funding were probably too optimistic. Piedmont Biofuels refinanced twice and also received a big grant from the NC State Energy Office. But they made it and have grown their coop venture to include several other businesses, such as Eco Organics, Screech Owl Greenhouse (a hydroponic greenhouse), the Piedmont Biofarm and the Abundance Foundation.
