# Adam Behrens

> Adam Behrens is the Boston-based co-founder and CEO of Mori, which develops silk-protein technology to help extend the usable life of food. A University of Maryland engineering graduate and former MIT postdoctoral associate, he has worked on turning materials research into commercial food applications, manufacturing processes, and customer partnerships.

- **Role:** Co-founder and CEO at Mori
- **Organizations:** Mori (formerly Cambridge Crops), MIT Langer Lab (former postdoctoral associate), University of Maryland CHBE External Advisory Board, Hyperion Biosystems (board member listed in 2026 university biography), C2Sense (independent director appointment announced in 2023)
- **Education:** BS, Chemical Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, PhD, Bioengineering; Kofinas Lab, University of Maryland, College Park
- **Known for:** Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, 2017., Co-founder and CEO of Mori, whose predecessor Cambridge Crops won the 2017 Rabobank-MIT Food and Agribusiness Innovation Prize., Co-author with Benedetto Marelli of “Silk protein can extend shelf life and improve food security” (2023).

## Career timeline

- **2010** — Earned a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Maryland.
- **2015** — Earned a PhD in Bioengineering from Maryland; subsequently worked as a postdoctoral associate in MIT’s Langer Lab.
- **2017** — Named to Forbes 30 Under 30. Cambridge Crops won the Rabobank-MIT Food and Agribusiness Innovation Prize.
- **2018** — Behrens and Sezin Yigit were coating pineapples in a warehouse when The Engine made its initial financial commitment, as recounted by MIT News.
- **2019** — Cambridge Crops raised a $4 million seed round.
- **2020** — Cambridge Crops rebranded as Mori and announced a $12 million Series A.
- **2021** — Mori announced a $16 million Series B led by the Drawdown Fund.
- **2022** — Mori announced a $50 million Series B1, a recently opened manufacturing facility, and new Boston headquarters.
- **2023** — Joined the C2Sense board effective January 31; co-authored a Nature Reviews Bioengineering article with Benedetto Marelli, published September 4.
- **2024** — Appeared at Harvard’s Lab-to-Launch Lounge on November 21.
- **2025** — Named among inventors on US12247324B2, a silk-protein manufacturing patent granted March 11.
- **2026** — Included in Maryland’s Early Career Distinguished Alumni Society class of 2026.

## Achievements

- Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, 2017.
- Co-founder and CEO of Mori, whose predecessor Cambridge Crops won the 2017 Rabobank-MIT Food and Agribusiness Innovation Prize.
- Co-author with Benedetto Marelli of “Silk protein can extend shelf life and improve food security” (2023).
- Named inventor on US12247324B2 for manufacturing silk-fibroin solutions and powders (granted 2025).
- Included in the University of Maryland Clark School’s Early Career Distinguished Alumni Society class of 2026.

## Latest updates

- **—** — The University of Maryland includes Behrens in its Early Career Distinguished Alumni Society class of 2026 and identifies him as co-founder and CEO of Mori; the page does not provide a publication month.
- **2025-03** — US12247324B2 was granted March 11, 2025, naming Behrens among the inventors of silk-fibroin manufacturing systems and methods.
- **2024-11** — Harvard GRID profiled Behrens following his November 21 Lab-to-Launch Lounge appearance.

## Links

- Website: https://www.mori.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-behrens-40691a10/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/adam-behrens
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-26