Shiru secures US$16M for AI-driven ingredient discovery expansion
USA – Shiru, a technology firm specializing in AI-powered ingredient discovery, has recently raised US$16 million in new financing aimed at advancing its ingredient innovation efforts across multiple industries.
This funding round, led by S2G Ventures, also drew participation from CPT Capital, Lux Capital, Nourish Ventures, and Meach Cove Capital.
The latest investment brings Shiru’s total capital to US$36 million, funds that will drive the company’s growth, broaden its ingredient offerings, and accelerate the development of its ProteinDiscovery.ai platform.
ProteinDiscovery.ai, Shiru’s AI-driven platform, is recognized for hosting an extensive database of natural plant and microbial proteins, reportedly the largest of its kind.
The platform supports companies across various sectors—including food, personal care, agriculture, and advanced materials—in identifying and evaluating natural ingredients more efficiently.
In recent months, Shiru has formed new partnerships to enhance its portfolio.
A collaboration with Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition, for instance, focuses on developing scalable sweet proteins, while the launch of Shiru’s proprietary fat alternative, OleoPro, incorporates uPro as its active protein component.
Shiru has also established partnerships with companies like Griffith Foods, supporting efforts to identify and scale sustainable food ingredients.
Shiru’s founder and CEO, Dr. Jasmin Hume, stated that AI-driven discovery is reshaping ingredient innovation, emphasizing that Shiru’s capabilities now extend beyond proteins.
“Our technology is reducing both development costs and timelines, providing R&D teams with tools to transform products and even entire industries,” she noted.
She added that while the company’s focus is currently on proteins, its broader vision includes building a platform that encompasses various molecular classes to support ingredient discovery in multiple sectors.
In October, Shiru’s ProteinDiscovery.ai was named one of TIME magazine’s Best Inventions of 2024, a recognition that acknowledges the platform’s unique approach to sustainable ingredient development.
Commenting on the award, Dr. Hume highlighted the platform’s potential to redefine ingredient sourcing and noted its alignment with the company’s mission of creating sustainable solutions for diverse
industries.
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