Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrodeoxygenation catalyst comprising molybdenum carbide (Mo2C) supported on a bio-residue support. The catalyst has a concentration of strong acidic sites of more than 0.25 mmol/g of the catalyst, as measured by ammonia temperature programmed desorption (NH3-TPD) analysis, and a BET surface area of 100 m2/g to 200 m2/g. The invention also relates to a process for preparing a bio-residue supported molybdenum carbide (Mo2C) catalyst, and a process for hydrodeoxygenation of an oxygen rich feedstock using the catalyst of the invention.