A Passion-Driven Company

Designs, develops, and manufactures 100% natural packaging solutions

Corn Next is a pioneering biotechnology company with a profound commitment to cultivating a healthier planet. Our journey is far from over—every day, we remain dedicated to inventing and manufacturing innovative, sustainable solutions like CornNext-17. We are continuously working to replace plastic and reduce carbon emissions, driving progress toward a greener, more sustainable future.

OUR MISSION

Scaling Sustainability, Eliminating Plastic

Corn Next is a pioneering material science company with a profound commitment to cultivating a healthier planet. Our journey is far from over—every day, we remain dedicated to inventing and manufacturing innovative, sustainable solutions. We are continuously working to replace plastic and reduce carbon emissions, driving progress toward a greener, more sustainable future.

OUR VISION

A world beyond Plastic

The development of CornNext-17 is driven by a vision to transform the way we use and discard materials. As a fully biodegradable solution, it represents not just an innovation in material science, but a milestone in humanity’s journey toward a greener, more sustainable future.

The Inspiration Behind Corn Next

Randy Zhang
Founder & CEO, Corn Next

I have always loved the ocean. As a competitive sailor, I have been fortunate to witness its vast, unspoiled beauty—stretching endlessly in every direction. But too often, that beauty has been marred by floating plastic. Onshore, I have come across lifeless marine animals, their final moments stolen by plastic pollution. Seeing this devastation firsthand broke my heart, and I knew I had to take action. I committed myself to finding a true alternative to plastic—one that could help save our oceans and our planet.

The breakthrough came unexpectedly in Salt Lake City. It was late at night, and I was wide awake in my hotel room, frustrated by my search for a 100% biodegradable material that left no harmful residues. I reached into the nightstand for something to read and found a Bible. Opening it at random, I came across this verse: "And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number." – Genesis 41:49 (KJV)

In that moment, inspiration struck—could corn be the answer? Determined, I traveled across the country, consulting top universities and experts. Again and again, I was told the same thing: Corn won’t work. It doesn’t bind like other starches. But then, I met a research professor who had proven otherwise. He had discovered a way to combine natural enzymes, water, and cornstarch to create a fully biodegradable, polymerized material. It was the breakthrough I had been searching for—the perfect replacement for plastic.

After eight years of relentless research and development, we patented CornNext-17, a cornstarch-based material designed to replace single-use plastics. Our straws, utensils, and other products decompose naturally, returning to the earth without harming ecosystems.

Choosing Corn Next isn’t just about using a better material—it’s about taking a stand for our oceans, wildlife, and future generations. CornNext-17 represents more than a scientific innovation; it marks a critical step toward a world where sustainability is not an option but the standard.

Meet the Innovators

  • Randy Zhang

    Founder & Chief Executive Officer

    Results-driven entrepreneur with a proven track record across industries like restaurants and real estate. Skilled in scaling small businesses into large enterprises through strategic vision. Under his leadership, Corn Next has pioneered CornNext-17, a bio-based material designed to reduce global plastic pollution and establish the company as a leader in green manufacturing.

  • Prof. Gang Chen

    Co-Founder, Chief Science & Technology Officer

    Holds a doctorate in Food Science and Nutritional Engineering from China Agricultural University. His expertise in enzymatic fermentation and natural material engineering has been critical to the success of CornNext-17, positioning Corn Next as a leader in next-generation biobased materials.

  • Winnie Weng

    Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer

    Executive experience with top 500 enterprises and successful entrepreneurial ventures. Specializes in performance management, operations, and customer relationship strategies. Holds a master’s degree. At Corn Next, she oversees operational efficiency and ensures that production processes for CornNext-17 maintain high-quality standards while scaling for larger markets.

  • David Xu

    Fractional Chief Financial Officer

    Over 30 years of corporate finance experience across the U.S., Canada, and China. Former executive at GE, World Bank IFC, Zurich, Hangery, and Sqoo. Active CPA with an MBA from the University of Illinois. His financial oversight ensures Corn Next's scalability through prudent resource allocation, supporting the company’s long-term growth in the sustainable materials market.

Board of Advisors

  • Cynthia Thyfault

    Leader in ESG reporting, USDA feasibility studies, and green financing solutions. With decades of experience in renewable energy and sustainability, she provides strategic guidance on navigating USDA programs, carbon markets, and global bioeconomy development. Her expertise supports Corn Next’s mission to scale CornNext2017 as a biodegradable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastics.

  • Yang Zhong

    Published over 10 papers on sustainability and environmental issues in leading journals such as Science Advances and Nature Communications. Holds advanced degrees in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering from MIT. He plays a key role in protecting the company’s innovative technologies, engaging in advancing material development, and ensuring that Corn Next, as a materials science company, continues to innovate and maintain a competitive edge in the market.

  • Michael Nichols

    A graduate of the Yale Law School (JD) and Stanford University (MA, and AB), Michael has over 20 years of experience as counsel to innovative, industry-leading companies. He has worked as in-house counsel at Corn Next. He has worked on matters with leading tech companies (including Microsoft, Amazon, and Cisco Systems) as well as emerging startups.