NuCicer has closed its latest seed investment round, led by Bayer AG’s unit Leaps by Bayer, alongside Lever VC, Blue Horizon and Trellis Road.
NuCicer is a US-based crop genetics company pioneering ultra-high protein varieties of chickpeas, which are said to contain 75% more protein content than conventional chickpeas.
NuCicer will use the capital to scale the production of its chickpea varieties, targeting a 50% reduction in the cost of chickpea protein ingredients and expanding existing partnerships with partners in order to provide consumers with affordable, sustainable plant proteins by 2023.
Kathryn Cook, CEO and co-founder at NuCicer, said: “Expanding affordable, scalable plant protein beyond currently available soy ingredients is a critical and urgent need for our food system. Today’s investment round is a significant moment for both NuCicer and the wider plant protein market. With Leaps by Bayer’s support, we look forward to taking the next step in our journey: driving natural ingredient technologies to the next level and bringing improved plant-based products to market.”
Jürgen Eckhardt, head of Leaps by Bayer, added: “Leaps by Bayer was founded on the principle of driving real change to the world we live in via our investments, and NuCicer is an ideal example of how we’re working collaboratively to make a positive difference. NuCicer is a fascinating business that we believe will assist the development of climate resilient, natural, and plant-based protein alternatives that will help decarbonise our food supply chains.”
Financial details of the round were not disclosed.
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024
World Beverage Innovation Awards – NOW OPEN FOR ENTRIES!
The awards celebrate excellence and innovation across the global beverage industry. Don’t miss out on having your innovations recognised on a global scale.
Deadline for entries 23 July – enter now!
Don’t get left behind
Start your free Foodbev magazine trial today and join thousands of fellow industry professionals in receiving food and drink trends direct to our business.
Click here to start your free trial
Your privacy We use small files known as ‘cookies’ to enhance your experience of the FoodBev website and analyse site-traffic. Read about how we use cookies or how you may control them in our updated privacy policy and cookie policy. If you continue to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies. Click the ‘OKAY‘ button at the top right of this panel to accept or click here for more information.