Recalls in the food and beverage industry due to contamination incidents can have catastrophic effects. Not only do companies have to pay fines and damages, but the impacts on the brand’s reputation can be long-lasting.
Reinventing Microbiology Testing
That’s why Spore.Bio, a Paris-based deeptech startup, is trying to reinvent microbiology testing to avoid the next PR crisis in the food industry. After raising an €8 million pre-seed round ($8.3 million at current exchange rates) a little bit more than a year ago, the company just secured a $23 million Series A round.
New Investors and Rapid Growth
Singular is leading the round. Point 72 Ventures, 1st Kind Ventures (the family office of the Peugeot family), Station F and Lord David Prior are also participating. Existing investors LocalGlobe, No Label Ventures and Famille C are putting more money in the company as well.
Customer Demand
The reason why Spore.Bio managed to raise so quickly after its pre-seed round is that there’s real customer interest. The startup has already signed a few commercial contracts that can cover up to 200 factories. Spore.Bio had to open a waitlist to make sure it can keep up with demand.
The Problem with Traditional Testing
In the food and beverage industry, microbiological tests require several days. Companies have to take a sample and send it to a specialized lab for testing.
What Makes Spore.Bio’s Technology Special?
Spore.Bio uses a completely different process. The company sends light at specific wavelengths toward a sample and records the spectral signature. Thanks to a pre-trained deep learning algorithm, it can detect whether that specific sample contains any bacteria or pathogens.
Partnership with the Pasteur Institute
That model is Spore.Bio’s most important asset. The startup has signed a partnership with the Pasteur Institute to access its biobank of bacteria samples.
Reducing Testing Time
In the coming months, it wants to manufacture testing machines that customers can use directly in their own factories. As a result, microbiology testing can happen directly on site. The company claims it reduces the overall process from days to a matter of minutes.
Future Plans
With today’s funding round, the startup expects to significantly grow its team. There are currently 30 people working for the company, and they will be 50 by the end of 2025.
Applications Beyond Food and Beverage
Companies manufacturing cosmetic products have also expressed interest in Spore.Bio’s technology. "Manufacturers need to get rid of preservatives due to customer demands, environmental concerns and other reasons. Except that preservatives are bacteria-killing preservatives," said Amine Raji, co-founder and CEO.
Similarly, the pharma industry found a use case for its most advanced treatments. "There is a growing need, especially for innovative therapies, such as gene and cell therapy," Raji said. He added that these products tend to have a short shelf life, which can be as low as seven days. So these therapies can’t go through the usual testing processes in such a short timeframe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does Spore.Bio’s technology work?
A: Spore.Bio uses a completely different process, sending light at specific wavelengths toward a sample and recording the spectral signature, with a pre-trained deep learning algorithm to detect bacteria or pathogens.
Q: How does the company plan to use the funding?
A: The company plans to significantly grow its team, from 30 to 50 people by the end of 2025, and manufacture testing machines that customers can use directly in their own factories.
Q: What are the potential applications of Spore.Bio’s technology?
A: Spore.Bio’s technology has potential applications in the food and beverage industry, cosmetic manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals, particularly for innovative therapies with short shelf lives.
