Innovations in FIH: Startups Part 1
A few startups of many working to drive innovation in Food is Health
Across the Food is Health network, companies are driving innovation and collaboration to improve human health at every level, from “soil to cell.” Together, they pave the way for transformative healthcare, food, and agriculture changes, creating a more sustainable and health-focused future.
This is Part 1 in a series highlighting these innovative companies. We recommend you follow them on LinkedIn via the CEO link for each company.
Edacious
Edacious is a Public Benefit Corporation advancing transparency in the food system to improve human and planetary health. Their accessible food lab measures nutrient density and safety, while their software platform, Edacious Pro, transforms nutrition data into actionable insights for food system professionals. By offering cost-effective tools and technologies, Edacious empowers stakeholders to enhance food quality and health outcomes without compromising budgets, driving more impactful and scalable solutions.
CEO Eric Smith
Brightseed
Brightseed is a biosciences company leveraging artificial intelligence to uncover bioactive compounds in plants and microbes that can enhance human health. Their AI platform, Forager, has identified over 7 million plant compounds, linking many to specific health benefits. This technology accelerates the discovery and validation of natural health solutions, enabling the development of novel, efficacious ingredients for the food, beverage, specialized nutrition, and consumer health sectors. Time named the platform as one of “The Best Inventions of 2024”.
For instance, Brightseed's Bio Gut Fiber is a dietary fiber ingredient containing bioactives pre-clinically shown to improve gut health.
By illuminating nature's potential, Brightseed contributes to a proactive approach to health, aiming to shift the focus from treatment to prevention of chronic diseases.
CEO Lee Chae
NourishedRx
NourishedRx is a digital health and nutrition company dedicated to improving lives by addressing diet-related chronic diseases and nutrition insecurity. They partner with healthcare organizations to provide personalized, clinically tailored, and culturally relevant meals and groceries to individuals with conditions like diabetes and those with high-risk social needs. Their approach includes Registered Dietitian consultations, whole-person support, nutrition education, and an omnichannel method of participant engagement, leading to high enrollment, engagement, and improved health outcomes.
By leveraging the power of food, NourishedRx aims to drive health equity and bend the healthcare cost curve, making nutritious food accessible to those who need it most.
CEO Lauren (McGill) Driscoll
Ovum Health
Ovum Health is a virtual fertility clinic offering holistic, noninvasive treatments to help individuals achieve natural pregnancies. Their approach integrates nutrition and personalized dietary interventions to address conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hormone imbalances, and metabolic disorders that can impact fertility. By emphasizing the role of food in regulating hormones and improving overall health, Ovum Health empowers patients to enhance their reproductive outcomes naturally.
Through their telemedicine platform, Ovum Health delivers rapid diagnostics, tailored nutritional guidance, and lifestyle recommendations, reducing the need for invasive procedures like in vitro fertilization (IVF). This innovative, food-focused approach makes fertility care more effective, accessible, and cost-efficient, supporting healthier pregnancies and better long-term maternal and infant health.
CEO Alice Crisci
Faeth Therapeutics
Faeth Therapeutics is pioneering a novel approach to cancer treatment by targeting tumor metabolism through precision nutrition. By tailoring specific nutrient compositions to individual tumor profiles, Faeth aims to inhibit cancer cell growth and enhance the efficacy of existing therapies. Their MetabOS™ platform utilizes machine learning and functional genomics to identify nutrient vulnerabilities in tumors, enabling the development of personalized dietary interventions that, when combined with conventional treatments, can improve patient outcomes.
This innovative strategy positions precision nutrition as a potential fourth pillar of cancer care, alongside surgery, radiotherapy, and pharmacotherapy, offering a complementary pathway to combat cancer by 'starving' tumors of the nutrients they require to thrive.
Faeth is currently conducting clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of their nutrient control interventions in combination with standard cancer treatments, with the goal of integrating metabolic optimization into mainstream oncology practice. CEO Anand Parikh
Perfact
Perfact is a technology company dedicated to enhancing human health by simplifying the selection of nutritious foods. They offer a patented recommendation engine that evaluates products based on various criteria, including ingredients, nutrients, and health guidelines, to provide personalized recommendations. This system enables consumers to effortlessly identify and choose foods that align with their health needs and preferences, thereby promoting better dietary choices and overall well-being.
For example, Perfact's technology can filter out products containing added sugars or harmful additives, assisting individuals in managing conditions like hypoglycemia or type 2 diabetes. By providing instant, personalized food recommendations, Perfact empowers consumers to make informed dietary decisions that support metabolic health.
Additionally, Perfact collaborates with experts and organizations to develop filters based on scientific criteria, such as the Metabolic Matrix, which focuses on selecting products that feed the gut, protect the liver, and support the brain. This collaboration ensures that the recommendations are grounded in the latest nutritional science, further contributing to improved health outcomes.
By leveraging advanced technology and scientific research, Perfact simplifies the complexity of making healthy food choices, aiding consumers in navigating the often overwhelming array of products to find those that best support their health.
CEO Andreas Kornstädt
Mend Nutrition
MEND is a life sciences and biotechnology company that harnesses the power of nature to enhance health and healing. Their clinically proven, nature-powered supplements are recognized by the medical community for effectively accelerating repair and recovery, as well as improving key risk factors contributing to chronic conditions. MEND collaborates with leading hospitals and universities to develop evidence-based clinical nutrition products aimed at enhancing patient outcomes.
For instance, MEND's "Repair & Recover" supplement is designed to support tissue healing and energy recovery, making it beneficial for individuals recovering from surgery or injury.
By integrating high-quality ingredients backed by scientific research, MEND provides solutions that support various stages of healing, contributing to improved health and well-being.
CEO Eziah Syed
Note: Some of these firms are part of the iSelect portfolio. iSelect is a supporter of the Food is Health revolution newsletter.
I like the common thread of using an understanding of metabolism and nutrition to make recommendations to consumers (or patients). However knowledge alone doesn’t change health for many. Would love to see more about how these solutions are affecting behavior change.