Led · Seed · May 2024

NewMoo develops casein proteins expressed in plant seeds via plant molecular farming to enable animal-free cheese that matches dairy in function, nutrition, and sensory properties. Its core product is a hormone-free liquid casein, naturally free of lactose and cholesterol, intended to replace dairy milk in existing cheese manufacturing lines without equipment changes. The technology and IP originate from research at the Weizmann Institute of Science and the company spent three years in stealth before unveiling its proteins. NewMoo says its seed-based approach avoids expensive bioreactors, allowing scalable field agriculture production and cost parity with traditional methods. The company positions the product as production-ready for cheesemakers and aims to serve flexitarian consumers while offering sustainability benefits and carbon sequestration during cultivation. Financially, NewMoo closed a $7 million seed round to build the team, advance R&D on the seeds, and develop its downstream liquid casein process.

Participated · Seed · Oct 2022

Forsea Foods, based in Rehovot, Israel, uses a non-GMO organoid platform to grow eel meat and other seafood as three-dimensional tissues outside the animal. Their organoid approach enables cells to spontaneously form native fat and muscle without a scaffolding stage, requiring fewer bioreactors and less growth factor. The company aims to provide a viable alternative to wild-caught seafood and reduce pressure on marine ecosystems. Founders Roee Nir, Iftach Nachman, and Yaniv Elkouby expanded R&D activities in Rehovot and plan to inaugurate a pilot plant in 2023. The pilot will inform a preliminary design for a large-scale alpha production system and support the launch of the company’s first products. Forsea will use the new funding to accelerate R&D for growing eel and other fish species, expand core technology for large-scale organoid growth, and develop methods to increase yield and lower production costs, including continuous feeding strategies and nutritional support.

Participated · Seed · Oct 2022

Forsea develops seafood using a non-GMO organoid platform that grows eel tissue as three-dimensional fillets, bypassing scaffolding and reducing reliance on bioreactors and growth factors. The company says this approach produces eel identical in flavor, texture, appearance, and nutritional value to wild eel while lowering costs. Forsea aims to preserve marine biodiversity by providing a sustainable substitute for endangered species. The startup plans to inaugurate a pilot plant in 2023 to design an alpha production system and launch initial products. Newly raised capital will accelerate R&D for eel and other fish species and improve organoid growth in large-scale bioreactors, production yield, and profitability. The team expanded R&D activities to Rehovot and cites support from The Kitchen FoodTech Hub and the Israeli Innovation Authority.

Participated · Series A · Nov 2020

WeedOUT, based in Ness Ziona, Israel, provides a green solution for outsmarting resistant weeds using a proprietary weed pollen derived from male plants. Its sterile pollen fertilizes female weed ovules to yield nonviable seeds, impeding the growth of new generations of resistant weeds while supporting improved yields and reduced herbicide need. The company is moving to launch its inaugural product targeting Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri), a major nuisance in the United States, Brazil, and Argentina. It plans to expand field trials in multiple U.S. regions, including Georgia and Nebraska, and is developing new formulations targeting different weed species. WeedOUT recently submitted a request to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for marketing approval. The company is led by Co-CEOs Efrat Lidor Nili and Dr. Orly Noivirt-Brik and recently raised $8.1M in Series A funding. Founded in 2016 in Israel, WeedOUT develops biological herbicides that imitate pollen so they can be applied while weeds are flowering to overcome herbicide resistance. Its platform uses the weeds' natural reproductive system; the first product specifically targets Palmer's amaranth, a glyphosate-resistant threat to cotton and soybean. The company is targeting North America as its first commercialization market and sought North American expertise from investors. Fulcrum Global Capital highlighted an investor base representing more than 500,000 acres of row crop producers and its partner Kevin Lockett joined WeedOUT's board. Co-founders Efrat Lidor Nili and Orly Noivirt-Brik previously worked at Monsanto's Israel unit after Rosetta Green was acquired. The Series A funds will be used for product development, scaling operations, and regulatory advancements. WeedOUT produces a green bioherbicide that artificially pollinates target weeds with proprietary weed pollen to induce seed abortion and prevent germination. The technology aims to stop the next generation of weeds and reduce reliance on higher chemical doses against resistant weeds. Its bioherbicide is described as non-toxic and non-invasive to crops. WeedOUT was named Best Israeli Agtech Company in the 2018 AgriVest Competition and was later selected as the winner of the Radicle Challenge Israel. As Challenge winner the company received a $250,000 award and access to Radicle Growth’s custom acceleration program, venture partners, and strategic alliances. WeedOUT plans to use the funding and acceleration support to expedite product development, manufacturing scale-up, and build on the success of field trials.

Participated · Series A · Aug 2020

EyeControl, founded in 2016 and based in Tel Aviv, provides a wearable, screenless assistive communication device that uses AI-powered eye-tracking to enable remote communication between ventilated ICU patients, their families and medical teams. The device also improves quality of life for ventilated and locked-in home care patients by providing round-the-clock communication with family members and caregivers. The product is CE marked, FDA listed and ISO certified, and is reimbursed by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the UK National Health Service and the Israeli Ministry of Health. EyeControl is led by CEO and co-founder Or Retzkin. The company plans to use new funding to grow its hospital activity and enhance strategic partnerships. In conjunction with the raise, digital health entrepreneur Avner Halperin was appointed chairman of an expanded board of directors.