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Hyfé

Hyfé transforms food waste into valuable specialty chemicals, creating new revenue streams for manufacturers while reducing environmental impact through a proprietary refining process.
2021
2-10
Chicago, Illinois, United States
BiotechnologynologyCarbon CaptureChemicalFood and BeverageFood ProcessingManufacturingSustainabilityWaste Management

Innovation

Industry Problem

Hyfé is capturing carbons that are lost in industrial food manufacturing wastewater and transforming them into low-cost feedstocks for fermentation. Their vision is to unlock the economics of biomanufacturing, enabling the decarbonization of end products such as food, materials, and fuels.

R&D Focus

Hyfé aims to solve the massive food waste problem by converting discarded biomass into valuable specialty chemicals, reducing environmental impact and creating new revenue streams for food manufacturers.

Innovative Solution

Hyfé operates at the intersection of agri-waste valorization and green chemistry, focusing on developing proprietary chemical processes to extract bioactives, fibers, and intermediates from discarded biomass. Their R&D centers on food-safe solvent-based biomass dissolution, targeting applications across nutraceuticals, personal care, and industrial materials—positioning them as innovators in carbon-smart, petroleum-free chemical manufacturing.

Solution Effectiveness

Hyfé solves the problem of food waste by using a proprietary chemical refining process that breaks down discarded biomass into high-value, high-purity compounds such as bioactives, oils, and cellulose. Using food-safe solvents and catalysis, their feedstock-flexible system efficiently extracts valuable carbon materials on-site at food processing facilities, reducing waste handling and enabling immediate off-take. This approach turns low-value food waste into speciality chemicals for use across nutraceutical, personal care, and industrial sectors, creating new revenue streams while reducing reliance on petroleum.

Investment Funding

Last Funding Stage

Seed

Total Funding Amount

$11.0M

Last Funding Amount

$9.0M

Last Funding Date

June, 2023

Startup Stage

Seed

Lead Investors

Gaingels, Alumni Ventures, Caffeinated Capital, Refactor, Blue Horizon Corporation

Revenue

$1M to $10M

People

Founders

CEO

Products

Product

– Mycelium Protein Powder – A high-fibre, allergen-free, neutral-flavoured protein derived from upcycled sugary wastewater. Ideal for low-carb, high-protein food products. – Extracts & Polyphenols – High-purity, performance-driven ingredients sourced from upcycled fruits and vegetables, suitable for clean-label formulations in food and personal care. – Soluble Fibres – Hydrocolloids serving as binders, gelling agents, thickeners, and emulsifiers, replacing synthetic additives in clean-label products. – Sweet Lignin – Non-sulfur lignin retaining its natural structure, offering antioxidant benefits without the harsh odour, applicable in various formulations. – Dextrose – High-purity, lignocellulosic-derived dextrose (DE95 equivalent), serving as a cost-effective, stable alternative to corn sugar for biomanufacturers and ethanol producers. – Specialty Oils – Naturally derived oils from fruits and vegetables, pure and nutrient-rich, ready for clean formulations in personal care and industrial products – Customer Reviews – NA

Star Product

Mycelium Protein Powder is the star product because it transforms upcycled sugary wastewater, otherwise a costly waste, into a high-fibre, allergen-free, and neutral-flavoured protein powder. This innovative ingredient meets growing demand for sustainable, clean-label, and plant-based proteins in the food industry, offering both environmental benefits and strong market potential.

Demo Product or Complete Product?

Hyfé Foods launched its first product, a mycelium-based protein flour, in May 2022. This innovative flour is produced by upcycling wasted sugar water from food and beverage manufacturing processes. The company utilizes a fermentation process to convert this waste into a high-protein, low-carbohydrate, and allergen-free flour, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional wheat flour.

Awards and Recognitions

Media Apperance

– World Bio Market Insights – Women In Agribusiness – Agfundernews – Businesswire

Certifications

– ISO 13485 – ISO 27001