Apeel Sciences is a technology company.
Apeel Sciences develops plant-based solutions to extend the shelf life of fresh produce, reducing food waste and reliance on harmful pesticides and plastics.
Apeel Sciences has raised $640.0M across 7 funding rounds.
Apeel Sciences has raised $640.0M in total across 7 funding rounds.
Apeel Sciences has raised $640.0M in total across 7 funding rounds.
Apeel Sciences's investors include Acre Venture Partners, Astanor Ventures, Congruent Ventures, Founders Fund, Garden City Companies, Jay, Shawn Modarresi, K2 Global, Khosla Ventures, Pario Ventures, Prelude Ventures, Presight Capital.
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 $640.0M across 7 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $250.0M Series E in August 2021.