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§ Private Profile · Goleta, CA, USA
Food technology company offering plant-based edible coatings to extend produce shelf life for the supply chain, reducing food waste.
Based in Goleta, California, Apeel Sciences develops plant-derived, edible coatings for fresh fruits and vegetables that slow down water loss and oxidation to extend produce shelf life. The company operates a business-to-business commercialization model, selling its proprietary coating formulations and application systems directly to agricultural suppliers, packers, and major grocery retailers globally. The technology is currently utilized on produce such as avocados, citrus, and cucumbers by retail customers including Kroger and Edeka. Apeel Sciences has raised over $700 million in total venture funding, reaching a $2 billion valuation following a $250 million Series E round in 2021. The agricultural technology firm is backed by prominent institutional investors and organizations, including Andreessen Horowitz, GIC, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The California-based food technology company was originally founded in 2012 by entrepreneur James Rogers.
Apeel Sciences has raised $990.0M across 10 funding rounds.
Apeel Sciences has raised $990.0M in total across 10 funding rounds.
Apeel Sciences is a food technology company developing edible, plant-based coatings that extend the shelf life of fresh produce like avocados, citrus, apples, cucumbers, and mangos.[1][3][5] Its products, such as Edipeel for conventional produce and Organipeel for organic, solve food spoilage by slowing water loss and oxidation, reducing waste, plastic packaging, and refrigeration needs while preserving nutrition.[2][3][6][7] Serving growers, packers, retailers, and consumers, Apeel has gained traction with partners like Germany's Edeka Group, achieving 50% less avocado spoilage and 20% sales growth in pilots.[8]
Apeel Sciences, founded in Goleta, California, emerged from biomimicry research inspired by natural plant cuticles, using lipids and glycerolipids from peels, seeds, and pulp to create protective coatings.[1][6][7] While specific founders are not detailed in available sources, the company drew from early R&D involving GRAS submissions and patents, initially using solvents like ethyl acetate and heptane for extracting mono- and diglycerides before shifting to industry-standard methods without them.[1][2] Pivotal early traction came from regulatory approvals in the U.S., EU, and globally, enabling market entry and partnerships amid growing food waste concerns.[6]
Apeel rides the sustainability and circular economy wave in food tech, tackling global food waste (a third of production) amid climate pressures and plastic bans.[3][7] Timing aligns with post-pandemic supply chain strains and rising demand for low-energy preservation in underserved regions.[3][4] Favorable forces include regulatory nods, retailer adoption, and consumer push for eco-friendly produce, positioning Apeel to influence waste reduction across the $1T+ fresh produce market.[6][8] It challenges waxing/pesticides/plastics, fostering ecosystem shifts toward biomimicry innovations.[1][7]
Apeel is poised for expansion into more produce types and markets, leveraging disinformation defenses and validated impact to scale globally.[4][6] Trends like AI-optimized supply chains, regenerative ag, and zero-waste mandates will amplify its role, potentially halving industry spoilage if adoption grows.[3][7] Influence may evolve toward full circular food systems, reinforcing its mission to use food to protect food.[6] This tech company exemplifies how nature-inspired solutions drive resilient, waste-free agriculture.
Apeel Sciences has raised $990.0M across 10 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $250.0M Series E in August 2021.
Apeel Sciences has raised $990.0M in total across 10 funding rounds.
Apeel Sciences's investors include Temasek, Acre Venture Partners, Astanor Ventures, Congruent Ventures, Founders Fund, Garden City Companies, Jay, Shawn Modarresi, K2 Global, Khosla Ventures, Pario Ventures, Prelude Ventures.