Spore.bio raises $ 23 million to apply machine learning in microbiology testing

Recalling the food and drink industry due to pollution incidents may have catastrophic effects. Not only do companies have to pay fines and damage, but the impact on the brand’s reputation can be long -lasting.

Therefore Spore.bioStarting Deeptech, based in Paris, is trying to rediscover microbiology testing to avoid the next PR crisis in the food industry. After lifting 8 million euros before the seeds round ($ 8.3 million in current currency courses) Just over a year ago, the company has just provided a round of $ 23 million in Serie A.

Singular is a leading circle. Point 72 Ventures, 1st type of endeavors (the family office of the Peugeot family), F and Lord David Prior Station are also participating. Existing Localglobe investors, no labeled tags and Famille C also invest more money in the company.

The reason why Spore.bio managed to raise so quickly after his circle before the seed is that he has a real interest to the client. The launch has already signed several commercial contracts that can cover up to 200 factories. Spore.bio had to open a waiting list to make sure he could keep up with the search.

So what does the technology of Spore.bio do special? In the food and drink industry, microbiological tests require several days. Companies must take a sample and send it to a specialized test laboratory.

“Imagine this, we are in 2022, everything is hyper-optimized. You have lean production everywhere, every step is optimized and counted in minutes to get a result to go from one step to the next, “co -founder and CEO Amin Raji told TechCrunch. “And BAM, you have a 5-day seamless test in the AGRI-FOOD sector and a 14-day test in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic sector to get the result because you have to wait for the bacteria to grow.”

First, testing should occur outside the site, as Petri-Dish-based tests include the demultiping of any potential bacteria. So you can’t risk contaminating other parts of the factory with your testing. Second, the bacterial incubation part takes time.

Spore.bio uses a completely different process. The company sends light at specific wavelengths to sample and records the spectral signature. Thanks to the pre -training algorithm for deep training, it can find whether this specific sample contains any bacteria or pathogens.

This model is the most important asset of Spore.bio. The launch has signed a partnership with the Pasteur Institute to access their bacterial samples.

In the coming months, he wants to produce test machines that customers can use directly in their own factories. As a result, microbiological tests can occur directly in place. The company claims to reduce the overall process from days to a few minutes.

Prior to setting up Spore.bio, Raji was an engineer for the production of food and beverages working for Nestlé. He naturally focuses on the industry he already knew. But it turns out that microbiology testing is much more than expected.

Companies that produce cosmetics also expressed interest in Spore.bio technology. “Manufacturers need to get rid of preservatives due to customer demands, environmental concerns and other reasons. Except that preservatives are preservatives to kill bacteria, “Raji said.

Similarly, the pharmaceutical industry has found a case of use for its most modern treatments. “There is a growing need, especially for innovative therapies, such as a gene and cell therapy,” Raji said. He added that these products tend to have a short shelf life, which can only be seven days. So these therapies cannot go through the usual testing processes in such a short period of time.

With today’s funding round, the launch expects to increase its team significantly. There are currently 30 people working for the company and they will be 50 by the end of 2025.