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| Image created by Dr. Michael J. Miller |
Spore.Bio has received funding for the “world’s first” device that can detect bacteria in consumer products faster, using AI to reduce sampling times from 20 days to only minutes.
The pre-seed funding led by LocalGlobe and strategic investors will be used to accelerate the development of its tech while growing the Spore.Bio team of world-class scientists and engineers. The round also included participation from top-tier investors and angels with experience in the industry, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and AI, including EmergingTech Ventures, No Label Ventures, Famille C (Clarins Family Office), Better Angle, Mehdi Ghissassi (Google DeepMind), Roxane Varza (Station F) and more.
The start-up has built the world’s first device for detecting pathogens directly on the factory floor. The device uses advanced machine learning models to train its system to identify the concentration of bacteria in food, drink, pharmaceuticals and cosmetic products before alerting quality managers to the potential risks.
Historically, quality sampling typically takes between five and 20 days with products having to be sent off-site to external labs, at great expense. According to Spore.Bio, the device provides manufacturers with “almost real-time insights with unprecedented levels of traceability and transparency”.
Amine Raji, CEO and co-founder of Spore.Bio said: “Our mission is to redefine microbiology and to bring 21st-century technology to an age-old problem. The risks around pathogens in FMCG are only growing, causing needless suffering for families and detrimental effects on the reputations and finances of global companies.”
Raji added: We’re changing the status quo with Spore.Bio by combining AI and our deep expertise in this space. We’re delighted to be working with such a respected group of investors too that have the technical and strategic backgrounds that will help us scale and grow Spore.Bio into a globally significant business.”
Julia Hawkins, general partner at LocalGlobe said: “Spore.Bio’s innovation is where photonics and AI meet the same level of bacterial detection as traditional methods, in real-time. It’s not just a technological advancement; it’s a stride towards a safer, healthier society and a clear case of how AI can solve real, industrial problems … The expert team’s solution gives industry, manufacturers and consumers the confidence that their products are as safe as possible.”
Spore.Bio plans to deploy hardware and software systems globally next year.