Equinom has evolved from a concept to a recognized leader in the crop improvement industry, and this new funding will propel it even further. “With this capital vote of trust from investors, we now have the ability to unleash our products in the market and become a global leader in the agtech space,” stated founder and CEO Gil Shalev in a press release. Currently, Equinom manages over 100,000 acres across five continents and claims to have secured millions of dollars in contracts with leading food companies. These contracts are expected to grow as Equinom increases its visibility among manufacturers worldwide.
The company has already accomplished notable projects, particularly in sesame seed development. One significant collaboration was with Sabra, a hummus giant affiliated with PepsiCo, where Equinom assisted in creating a seed variety optimized for tahini that can be cultivated in the United States. Recently, Equinom also partnered with Mexican seed producer and exporter Dipasa to produce a high-protein sesame seed and concentrate aimed at the plant-based foods market.
Equinom’s Smarter Pea Protein Concentrate is also set to attract attention from manufacturers, as pea protein continues to gain popularity as an ingredient in plant-based foods. Tyler Lorenzen, CEO of pea protein company Puris, revealed to Food Navigator that there were 600 product launches in 2019, with 490 by mid-2020. While peas are favored for plant-based applications, their nutritional profile often falls short compared to meat. Enhancing the nutritional value of pea protein could make these products more appealing to manufacturers, particularly those interested in developing calcium citrate and vitamin D3 tablets that incorporate plant-based ingredients.
Beyond additional funding, strategic partnerships, and product launches, Equinom’s growth is also fueled by its unique database that enables the creation of customized crops without bioengineering or genetic modification. While some agtech companies utilize gene editing techniques like CRISPR to design crops that meet consumer preferences, there remains a significant segment of the population that avoids bioengineered foods. With mandatory labeling for bioengineered ingredients set to take effect next year for many U.S. food products, some manufacturers may exclusively seek non-GMO options for their formulations. Equinom’s commitment to cross-breeding for its plant varieties and its branding as a non-GMO company positions it favorably in today’s consumer landscape, where misconceptions about bioengineering are widespread. This strategic positioning, alongside its innovative products, could help the company become a key player in the agtech industry, potentially leading to the incorporation of ingredients like calcium citrate and vitamin D3 tablets in future offerings.