iSelectFund

We invest at the nexus of Food and Health.

[iSelectFund @iSelectFund]

Brightseed’s Forager was recently honored as a TIME Best Invention of 2024, recognizing their breakthrough technology that is using AI to create the world’s largest library of natural small molecule compounds from plants and link them to potential health benefits.

Congratulations to the Brightseed team!

https://t.co/sO88B0rRUp

#foodishealth #foodismedicine #AIforHealth #Innovation

[iSelectFund @iSelectFund]

Join us this Friday, October 4th, to hear from some of the brightest minds in Food is Health!

Discover how innovative startups are revolutionizing the way we think about food and health. This webinar will:

🔹 Increase awareness of cutting-edge Food is Health startups
🔹 Facilitate connections between startups and potential customers
🔹 Foster collaboration to align with market priorities
🔹 Provide a platform for startups to share their groundbreaking ideas

With 80% of people metabolically unstable and a growing demand for healthier options, it's crucial to stay informed about emerging technologies and solutions. Learn how startups are addressing these challenges and how you can be part of this transformative journey.

📅 Date: October 4th
🕒 Time: 9am-1:30pm CT
📍 Register for free: https://t.co/pNNLoKOybH

Don't miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and innovate! #FoodIsHealth #StartupInnovation #HealthTech #FoodTech #AgTech #Nutrition #FoodSystem

[iSelectFund @iSelectFund]

iSelect Portfolio Spotlight: NextSense

NextSense has been recognized as a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer for 2024. This prestigious honor celebrates their innovative brain technology designed to enhance daily life by restoring energy, joy, and purpose. As a new Technology Pioneer, NextSense's CEO, Jonathan Berent, will speak at Summer Davos in Dalian, China, where he will explore groundbreaking advancements in digital neurotherapeutics. In addition, Jonathan Berent has been named to Fast Company's Impact Council, a network of visionary leaders committed to shaping the future through creativity and mission-driven innovation.

Press Release:
https://t.co/qab05pd4Dt

#neuroscience #neurotherapeutics #venturecapital #WorldEconomicForum #neurotech #neurotechnology

[iSelectFund @iSelectFund]

iSelect is proud to have been named by @Pitchbook as one of the “10 most active VC investors cultivating agtech’s future.”

See the list: https://t.co/4x6B14mjh3

#agtech #venturecapital #futureoffood #foodishealth

[iSelectFund @iSelectFund]

Brightseed recently announced the expansion of their A.I.-driven microbiome discovery program using their Forager platform to identify bioactives from fermented ingredients and prebiotics. This program aims to find health benefits from interactions between gut bacteria and these bioactives. Brightseed collaborates globally, including with CJ Foods, to analyze sources worldwide. The program supports companies in developing novel, clinically validated products, enhancing synbiotic product offerings. Forager can map compounds rapidly, aiding quick commercialization of health solutions targeting gut health, metabolism, and cognition​. The company already has established partnerships with ADM, Ocean Spray, Danone, Pharmavite, and Olam food ingredients.

https://t.co/vvo8jFtiRK

#microbiome #microbiomehealth #microbiomediet #aiforhealth #aiforgood #bioactive #foodingredients #metabolism #guthealthmatters #guthealth #venturecapital #venturecapitalists #innovation #foodishealth #foodismedicine #socialinvestment #impactinvesting

[iSelectFund @iSelectFund]

iSelect Fund Portfolio Spotlight: Harpe Bio

A recent Forbes article featuring Harpe Bio, "A New Tactic For The War With Weeds," highlights the urgent need for sustainable weed control solutions due to increasing herbicide resistance. Harpe Bioherbicide Solutions, Inc. has developed a novel method using natural chemicals derived from mint species to combat this issue. Their approach not only restores the efficacy of key herbicides but also leverages the Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status of mint-derived chemicals, streamlining regulatory approval. This innovation, led by scientists Manish Bansal and Randall Hess, focuses on combining mint extracts with herbicides, showing promising results in overcoming weed resistance. The integration of advanced spraying technologies further enhances this natural, eco-friendly solution. Harpe Bio's experienced leadership, including COO Daniel Pepitone, bolsters the development and success of this approach​​.

Read full article: https://t.co/Sd5EqiUo0T

#weedmanagement #sustainableag #sustainablesolutions #herbicide #herbicideresistance

[Bridgette Readel @bmreadel]

https://t.co/eeMUJwYe0Q

[Bridgette Readel @bmreadel]

Noon(er) Chat
Friday, April 19
11:30 am central time
Co-host: @jcarterwil

Thank you to @CraryAg for sponsoring the chat!
Check out their Big Top Product line up!

https://t.co/T4hlQYMsdT

[iSelectFund @iSelectFund]

What is the potential impact of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy on the food industry? Could the appetite-suppressing effects of these medications drive a demand for healthier snacks and food products? This fascinating article by Dirt-to-Dinner highlights the current consumer trend towards nutritious foods and how these drugs might further fuel this demand. Morgan Stanley's research on the appetite reduction caused by GLP-1 drugs and the potential market growth are also discussed.

Explore the challenges and opportunities for consumer products companies (CPG) and grocers in adapting to these changes, including insights on Walmart's reported slight drop in food demand. Learn how CPG companies can thrive by formulating healthier products, incorporating functional ingredients, focusing on portion control, and crafting marketing strategies that emphasize the health benefits of their offerings.

https://t.co/huBgQvQyMe

#FoodisHealth #Ozempic #FoodIndustry #GLP1 #CPG #ConsumerDemand

[iSelectFund @iSelectFund]

iSelect portfolio company, Triplebar Bio, and FrieslandCampina Ingredients have announced a partnership to enhance lactoferrin production using precision fermentation technology. This breakthrough aims to meet the growing global demand for lactoferrin, a protein used in premium infant formulas for its antimicrobial effects and benefits for gut maturation and immunity. The partnership seeks to increase supply capacities, making these benefits available to more consumers. Precision fermentation allows for the production of high-quality proteins in larger quantities with less environmental impact. The collaboration between Triplebar and FrieslandCampina Ingredients is seen as a significant step in sustainable food production and nutrition.

https://t.co/VbS0U1sarb

#precisionfermentation #sustainablefood #foodishealth #infantformula #infantnutrition #proteinsources #guthealth #immunity #infantimmunity #foodforhealth #sustainability #foodproduction #foodsystem #foodsystems

[iSelectFund @iSelectFund]

iSelect Portfolio Spotlight: @Holganix

Farmers Tim Varilek, Jon Nelson, and Grant Strom share their experiences using Holganix Bio 800+ products, reporting high yields, reduced fertilizer use, and improved soil health. Varilek, a third-generation farmer in Nebraska, has reduced his fertilizer use by 40% and reports high yields and reduced residue issues. Nelson, a farmer in South Dakota, won the 2023 South Dakota soybean yield contest with a yield of 82.5 bushels, using no fertility other than Holganix and some micronutrients. Strom, a farmer in Illinois, has also reduced his fertilizer rates significantly. All three farmers credit Holganix Bio 800+ with improving their soil health and crop yields.

Hear more about Holganix directly from the farmers they serve: https://t.co/U3L36hvMkw

#soilhealth #fertilizer #cropyield #vcfunding #impactinvesting #farmersfirst

[iSelectFund @iSelectFund]

iSelect Portfolio Spotlight: @EarthOptics

Soil mapping and measurement company EarthOptics has mapped and physically measured one million acres of farmland and ranchland, marking a significant milestone for its SoilMapper platform. The company has measured and mapped land across four continents and 45 US states since 2021, and is also the leading carbon measurement company for grassland and rangeland acreage. EarthOptics' platform is advancing regenerative agriculture practices by providing comprehensive soil data. The company's CEO, Lars Dyrud, envisions integrating physical samples with multi-sensor data to make farming and ranching operations more efficient, sustainable, and profitable.

Learn more: https://t.co/N2PjzGslho

#soilhealth #soilscience #carbonmanagement #carboncapture #regenerativeagriculture

[iSelectFund @iSelectFund]

iSelect Portfolio Company, Bond Pet Foods has shipped its first two metric tons of an animal protein created through fermentation to Hill’s Pet Nutrition. The two metric tons produced by Bond represents a major milestone toward commercializing its fermentation technology for pet food applications. The scale of the delivery will allow Hill’s to formulate a variety of products for market evaluation and eventual review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine.

Congratulations to the entire Bond team! We are excited to watch your continued progress. 👏

https://t.co/VeCc0dwf1P

#fermentation #protein #SustainableFuture

[iSelectFund @iSelectFund]

iSelect Fund portfolio company, @BrightseedBio, is transforming nutrition with AI and machine learning. From concept to reality, Brightseed's approach blends AI with traditional methods, accelerating discoveries into viable products. The founders' complementary skills contribute to their success, promising a bright future in health and wellness. 🌟 #NutritionInnovation #HealthBreakthroughs #FoodIsHealth

Read the full interview with Dr. Jim Flatt on AFN: https://t.co/0qvjN4bgXu

[iSelectFund @iSelectFund]

“We were attracted to PreventScripts for its leadership in the battle against metabolic diseases, one of the core issues we work to address, and its quality leadership team of Brandi Harless, Jay Campbell and Dr. Natalie Davis,” said Tom Bunn, Principal at iSelect Fund.

#metabolichealth #venturecapital #healthsolutions #healthtech #healthinnovations

https://t.co/8BxZyTyHGs

[iSelectFund @iSelectFund]

The results have been published from Geneoscopy’s pivotal CRC-PREVENT clinical trial. We are excited to share that they report the highest sensitivity for detecting colorectal cancer and advanced adenomas among available noninvasive screening tests! 👏

#cancerscreening #colorectalcancer #fuckcancer

https://t.co/PmVhkXNMDi

[iSelectFund @iSelectFund]

ICYMI: Here’s the replay of our latest Deep Dive on Innovations in Personal Health Management.

We had an interesting and actionable discussion with experts focused on these innovations including Dr. Allison Hull, Founder and CMO of Journeys Metabolic; Pranitha Patil, Co-Founder and COO at @function_health; and New York Times best selling author and pediatric endocrinologist, @RobertLustigMD .

https://t.co/OBgIR5QMEz

[iSelectFund @iSelectFund]

Guest Spotlight: Dr. Robert Lustig, New York Times best selling author and pediatric endocrinologist

@RobertLustigMD has fostered a global discussion of metabolic health and nutrition, exposing some of the leading myths that underlie the current pandemic of diet-related disease. He believes the food business, by pushing processed food loaded with sugar, has hacked our bodies and minds to pursue pleasure instead of happiness; fostering today’s epidemics of addiction and depression. Yet by focusing on real food, we can beat the odds against sugar, processed food, obesity, and disease.

We look forward to hearing from Dr. Lustig and other expert guests on innovations in personalized health management at our next Deep Dive! Register for free at: https://t.co/LdglcHMQgZ

#foodishealth #biomarkers #nutrition #foodsystem #healthtech #personalizedhealth