François Baneyx
François Baneyx is Vice Provost for Innovation and Director of CoMotion at the University of Washington, where he also serves as Professor and Rehnberg Endowed Chair in Chemical Engineering and directs the Center for the Science of Synthesis Across Scales. He co-founded Proteios, which is still running. He is an authority on protein production technologies and the biological fabrication of advanced materials with applications in medicine, sensing, optoelectronics, and catalysis.
UW CoMotion Labs announces data center Climate Tech Incubator supported by Microsoft and E8, launching Feb–May 2027
On September 15, 2026, UW CoMotion Labs, supported by Microsoft and E8 with Elemental Impact as advisor, launched a four-month Climate Tech Incubator focused on data center energy, cooling, water, and materials challenges. The February–May 2027 Seattle program targets pre-seed and seed founders, offering commercialization support, technical mentorship, and investor connections to accelerate deployment.
Plug and Play Expands to Seattle with New Accelerator at UW’s CoMotion Labs
Silicon Valley innovation platform Plug and Play is expanding into the Seattle area with two new offices, including one at the University of Washington's CoMotion Labs, to support early-stage startups and regional innovation. The expansion is part of a strategic collaboration with SBI Holdings and SNBL.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell Launches Climate Innovation Hub to Boost Green Economy and Downtown Revitalization
Mayor Bruce Harrell has launched the Seattle Climate Innovation Hub, a collaborative space in downtown Seattle focused on advancing climate technology and supporting green economy growth. The hub is a partnership among the City of Seattle, University of Washington’s CoMotion Labs, 9Zero, and VertueLab, aiming to foster innovation and contribute to downtown revitalization.
Organizations
-
University of Washington Professor and Rehnberg Endowed Chair in Chemical Engineering 2025–present, Vice Provost for Innovation and Director of UW CoMotion 2019–present, Director, Center for the Science of Synthesis Across Scales (a DOE EFRC) 2018–present, Chair, Department of Chemical Engineering 2014–2019, Charles W.H. Matthaei Professor of Chemical Engineering 2005–2025, Director, Center for Nanotechnology 2005–2013, Co-Director, Genetically Engineered Materials Science and Engineering Center (NSF MRSEC) 2005–2012, Site Director, National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network (NSF NNIN) 2004–2012, Professor 1992–2005 · current
-
Proteios Co-Founder 2015–present · current
-
UW CoMotion Labs current
Education
-
The University of Texas at Austin Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Chemical Engineering · 1986–1991
-
Ecole Nationale Superieure des Ingenieurs Genie Chimique Ingenieur, Chemical Engineering · 1984–1987
