In a significant development for the food and beverage industry, Paris-based startup Spore. Bio is set to transform how manufacturers ensure product safety. The company, still in the early stages of development, is working on an innovative artificial intelligence technology, with plans for deployment by mid-2025.
Founded by Amine Raji, who serves as the chief executive officer, Spore. Bio’s technology is a blend of photonics innovation and advanced deep learning models. Raji explains, “We take snapshots of various samples of a food product, both contaminated and safe, and train our algorithm to identify the microorganism signature.” This approach promises a more efficient way to detect safety issues in food products.
The startup recently completed a successful pre-seed funding round, raising $8 million. The round was led by London-based venture capital firm LocalGlobe VC. These funds will enable Spore. Bio to expand its team, hiring scientists, researchers, engineers, and industrial teams.
The primary focus for the company is on research and development, aiming to deploy prototypes in processing plants. “We have some R&D roadblocks that we will focus on in 2024,” Raji added.
Currently, Spore. Bio is collaborating with food manufacturers to refine and enhance their systems. Manufacturers send product samples to Spore. Bio’s labs, where the machine learning models are trained and validated. Raji notes, “As soon as this phase is completed, these manufacturers will be the first to use our technology directly on their sites.”
Raji, who has extensive experience in the food and beverage industry, including a five-year stint at Nestle, is optimistic about the potential impact of this technology. He highlights the current challenges faced by manufacturers who lack in-house microbiology labs.
Typically, they send samples to external labs and wait several days for results, which can lead to complex situations, including product recalls if contamination is detected. Spore. Bio’s technology aims to provide on-site testing capabilities, delivering results within seconds, thereby significantly enhancing the efficiency and safety of food production.
This development marks a significant step forward in food safety, offering a faster, more reliable solution for manufacturers and ultimately benefiting consumers with safer products.
