Brightseed has had an eventful 2020, capitalizing on the increasing demand from food, beverage, and other companies aiming to enhance the health and nutritional advantages of their products. In June, Brightseed announced a collaboration with Danone North America to explore hidden nutrients in soybeans that could be integrated into its plant-based brands. While much is known about plants, Brightseed and other firms are eager to investigate the lesser-known building blocks that contribute to desirable flavors as well as nutritional and functional benefits. A plant’s genome can be up to eight times more complex than that of humans, as it not only facilitates growth but also performs essential life-sustaining functions such as attracting bees for pollination or deterring pests. Additionally, the same plant can display different traits based on the climate or soil in which it is cultivated.
Brightseed’s focus on fruits, vegetables, and other plants is particularly appealing because it utilizes the inherent qualities of these plants rather than resorting to genetic modifications, which some consumers resist. It’s clear that one of the reasons Brightseed seeks funding is to support new partnerships necessary for expanding its burgeoning business. The advisors they are bringing on board will undoubtedly be instrumental in connecting Brightseed with other food and beverage companies interested in their services.
Flatt compared phytonutrients to the rising popularity of plant-based meats as alternatives to traditional animal products. A few years ago, this sector was largely unexplored, but growing consumer interest in healthier eating and environmental sustainability has attracted startups like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, as well as major food corporations such as Conagra Brands, Tyson Foods, Kellogg, and Nestlé. As consumer preferences continue to evolve, Flatt is optimistic that phytonutrients will soon become a widely recognized term in the food and beverage industry. Beneo, a supplier of functional ingredients, reported that 75% of consumers globally plan to adopt healthier eating and drinking habits as a result of the pandemic. In the long term, Brightseed could emerge as a significant benefactor of this trend.
“I firmly believe that phytonutrients will be a common term five years from now,” Flatt remarked. “There is a bit of a missionary effort here, but it’s supported by a strong tailwind.” Phytonutrients promote health in humans through anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective actions. Examples include resveratrol found in red grape skins and lycopene found in tomatoes. According to Brightseed, less than 1% of the world’s phytonutrients have been identified. Just as sequencing the human genome has facilitated the discovery of drugs for unmet medical needs, uncovering even a fraction of these phytonutrients could yield significant rewards in the development of new food and beverage products. As consumer packaged goods companies seek to move away from processed ingredients in favor of healthier options—similar to products like Citracal Plus with Magnesium—and compete with agile startups, Brightseed and its peers are poised to be among the largest beneficiaries.