Apparo Inc. announces funding that will support the development and commercialization of its sunflower protein ingredients

Photo © AdobeStock.com/Sergii Figurnyi

Apparo Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) has announced a Series A investment of $3.5 million co-led by Endeavor8 and Finistere Ventures, and joined by Blue Horizon, to support its development of sunflower protein ingredients incorporating Apparo’s Total Crop Utilization system. The system applies Apparo’s patent-pending technology to extract sunflower protein ingredients in order to meet the rising demands of the rapidly growing plant-based protein food market.

“At least 200,000 tons of plant protein ingredients are needed to reach the 2026 market demand, which is a huge opportunity for new sources of protein ingredients, particularly highly functional native proteins such as our Solistein sunflower protein isolate,” said Ian Mackay, CEO of Apparo, in a press release. “With two successful co-manufacturing trials for our Solistein ingredients, our experienced team is now poised for a rapid ramp up of the commercialization of our products.”

Apparo’s technology utilizes existing crop byproducts as a feedstock to create its Solistein protein ingredients. According to the company, it also allows Apparo to narrow the protein gap without additional impact to the environment.