<div>
  <ul>
    <li>
      <p>
        Natural Fiber Welding (NFW), a technology company that develops textiles using recycled plants and natural fibers, has partnered with New York-based vegan footwear brand Brave GentleMan to launch the latter&rsquo;s gender-neutral shoe collection made from NFW&rsquo;s leather alternative &ldquo;Mirum&rdquo;.
      </p>
    </li>
    <li>
      <p>
        The shoe collection features existing shoes such as a boot, an Oxford shoe, and a tasseled loafer remade using Mirum materials in addition to a new &ldquo;sculpture-like&rdquo; sneaker made from sustainably sourced rubber (outsole) and natural cork (insole) that also comes with a sock made from waste. The collection is expected to launch this fall and is available to pre-order starting from USD 290 up to USD 350.
      </p>
    </li>
  </ul>
  <p>
    &lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;
    <b>Analyst QuickTake: </b>
    NFW has continued to partner with leading brands to commercialize Mirum across various applications. Brave GentleMan is the latest to its list of partnerships which includes&nbsp; 
    <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/7850">
      Ralph Lauren
    </a>
    , 
    <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/10232">
      Bellroy
    </a>
    , Motherson, Richemont, and Allbirds. Early this year, the company also raised 
    <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/9745">
      USD 85 million 
    </a>
    in Series B funding to scale up production of Mirum to meet demand.&lt;/ul&gt;
  </p>
</div>


<div>
  <p>
    <a href="https://vegconomist.com/fashion-design-and-beauty/leather-alternatives/brave-gentleman-mirum-alt-leather-shoes/">
      Vegconomist
    </a>
  </p>
</div>


Bio-based Materials

Natural Fiber Welding and Brave GentleMan unveil shoe collection made from Mirum

Empowering sustainable food innovation through food engineering tech

Novel Foods

ANALYST_QUICK_TAKE

<div>
 <p>Plant cell technology startup, Ayana Bio, has been granted USD 300,000 by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The funding is aimed at enabling the startup to research and boost the cultivation of saffron for medicinal usage.</p>
 <p>The grant's objective is to back Ayana Bio's studies on the neuroprotective properties that arise from saffron bioactives produced through plant cell cultivation. The research will mainly spotlight the health benefits of saffron against various neurological and age-related ailments, such as depression, anxiety, Alzheimer's, and Huntington’s disease.</p>  
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> Ayanna Bio has partnered with several companies, including SynBioBeta and Wooree Green Science, to develop plant cell-cultured saffron for various health and wellness applications. Apart from saffron, the company also launched the <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/23209"> Plant Cell Advantage </a> (PCA) health and wellness ingredient line, which offers Dog Rose PCA, Hedge Nettle PCA, and Sage PCA.</p>

Ayana Bio receives USD 300,000 NIH grant for plant cell-cultivated saffron

A booming food and beverage segment with a history as rich and varied as its present-day product offerings.

Plant-based Dairy & Egg

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

<div>
 <p>Startup Shiru has unveiled a platform called "ProteinDiscovery.ai" which offers a marketplace and discovery portal for proteins. The company likens the platform to an Amazon-style service specifically for proteins.</p>
 <p>The platform allows users to browse, test, and buy molecules that are appropriate for a range of industries, including food, agriculture, personal care, and advanced materials. Among its key features are a vast database of more than 33 million natural molecules, automated biochemistry processes, and the ability to classify molecules by their sequence, use, and efficiency.</p>
 <p>ProteinDiscovery.ai claims it can deliver substantial savings on research and development costs, and speed up the creation of bio-based products. Additionally, it provides businesses with the ability to acquire and protect their intellectual property rights indefinitely.</p>
 
</div>

Shiru launches world's first protein marketplace and discovery platform

A new wave of meat, fish, and poultry alternatives are driving this hyper-growth industry into the mainstream.

Plant-based Meat

<div>
 <p>Shiru, a startup specializing in plant-based alternatives, has announced the launch of their new platform "ProteinDiscovery.ai." The new platform is likened to Amazon, given its marketplace-like model, but is tailored specifically for proteins.</p>
 <p>This new AI-powered offering allows users to interact fully with 33 million natural molecules, exploring, testing, and ultimately purchasing them. These molecules are suitable for a variety of sectors, including but not limited to food, agriculture, personal care, and advanced materials. Core highlights of the platform are centered around an expansive molecule database, automated biochemistry workflows, and a comprehensive molecule classification system based on their sequence, application, and performance.</p>
 <p>ProteinDiscovery.ai positions itself as a cost-saving and efficient solution for businesses, promising dramatic reductions in R&amp;D costs and acceleration in the development process of biobased products. Additionally, it provides businesses a platform to securely acquire and maintain intellectual property rights indefinitely.</p>
</div>

Making meat sustainable over the long term.

Cell-cultured Meat

<div>
 <p>Caladan Bio, a startup specializing in bioreactor systems, has successfully raised $5 million in seed funding. The funding round was led by Twelve Below, and included contributions from Lerer Hippeau, Collaborative Fund, Wireframe Ventures, Ritual Capital, and Factorial Capital.</p>
 <p>The funds are set to be used for expanding the company's team and enhancing the company's bioreactor platform. As part of future plans, the startup is looking to establish pilot partnerships for installations within the second half of 2024.</p>
 <p>Founded in 2023, Caladan Bio's main product is the Caladan 250, a 250 ml modular bioreactor. The company's innovative systems aim to decrease the costs involved in experimentation for synbio companies, while also increasing the amount of data produced from these experiments. As a unique feature, the Caladan 250 has enhanced sensors and is integrated with AI and ML tools.</p>
</div>

Caladan Bio raises USD 5 million in seed funding to enhance platform

<div>
 <p>Recently, Bill SB 1084 was signed into legislation by Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis, which makes the manufacture and sale of lab-grown meat a criminal act within the state. Notably, the bill does not restrict the research related to lab-grown meat, particularly due to possible consequences for the space industry.</p>
 <p>The law enforces a penalty for a second-degree misdemeanor on the production of lab-grown meat, thereby implicating anyone engaged in manufacturing or selling such meat. According to the Governor, this law is instituted to safeguard the livestock industry of Florida against movement intending to eliminate agriculture.&nbsp;</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> This bill was proposed in <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/23968"> November 2023 </a> by Florida Republican legislator Tyler Sirois and was expected to take effect in July 2024. Further, in <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/27192"> March 2024 </a> , the Florida Senate passed a bill prohibiting the sale of lab-grown meat, citing that cell-cultured meat technology requires more assurances of safety before it is deemed a feasible alternative to conventional meats.</p>

Florida Governor signs Bill SB 1084 barring sale and manufacture of lab-grown meat

Generating, collecting, and analyzing enterprise data will never be the same.

Edge Computing

<div>
 
 <p>ZEDEDA, an edge management and orchestration firm, has launched a new product, "ZEDEDA Edge Sync". This solution is designed to overcome connectivity issues in Edge deployments with inconsistent cloud access.</p>
 <p>This tool aids in the monitoring and management of edge node fleets, especially in areas with no network connection. Key features include node management during network downtime, support for completely isolated deployments, and a management and monitoring API for tailored integrations and applications.&nbsp;</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake</b> :<br>
 The company recently <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/26448"> secured </a> USD 73 million in Series C funding to expand its sales and marketing efforts and accelerate its research and development activities. This additional funding comes in response to the growing demand for Edge computing solutions. Additionally, the company <a href="https:<br>
//www.edgeir.com/zededa-welcomes-operations-veteran-to-its-board-of-directors-20240328"> welcomed </a> Lisa Edwards, an experienced operations professional, to join its board of directors.</p>

ZEDEDA launches Edge Sync for air-gapped environment management

Automation and robotics are finally creating solutions for the complexities of doorstep deliveries.

Last-mile Delivery Automation

INCUMBENTS_PRESENT

<div>
 <p>Amazon has partnered with Embention, a provider of drone components and autopilot, to improve the safety of its Prime Air drone delivery service. Embention will supply safety-focused software and hardware to Amazon's Prime Air drones.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> Amazon's latest <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/14505"> Prime Air drone, “MK30,” </a> is set to debut later this year, designed for dense suburban delivery areas. Currently, the company is conducting delivery flights in College Station, Texas, using its existing drone model. The company also had operations in Lockeford, California, but it was discontinued <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/28707"> earlier this month </a> . It has planned to launch the service in Tolleson, Arizona, later this year and also to expand the service to Amazon Prime customers in <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/22843"> the UK and Italy </a> once the MK30 model is live.</p>

Amazon partners with Embention to enhance safety of Prime Air drones

Platforms, apps, and cards to keep the corporate wallet in check

Business Expense Management

<div>
 
 <p>Swedish firm, Medius, which specializes in accounts payable automation and spend management, has forged a partnership with Open ECX, a company known for its e-trading and finance automation software. The aim of this partnership is to offer an enhanced solution for Accounts Payable (AP) automation.</p>
 <p>This collaboration brings together Open ECX's statement reconciliation features and Medius' automated AP and fraud detection platform. This combination aims to automate and simplify intricate, manual finance procedures within businesses.&nbsp;</p>
 <p>The integration of these services allows the company to deliver a comprehensive automation solution. This platform aims to enable businesses to fully optimize their operational efficiency and adherence to compliance measures.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> The latest partnership is in line with the firm's recent activities (which includes its&nbsp; <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/25423https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/25423"> partnership with Launchpad Technologies </a> ) to increase its partner network and expand its capabilities to provide an all-in-one integrated solution.</p>

Medius partners with Open ECX to offer advanced AP automation capabilities

<div>
 <p>MightyFly, a provider of drone-based delivery services, has been granted approval by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for a flight corridor between the New Jerusalem and Byron Airports in California, a distance of 20 miles. This approval will allow MightyFly to conduct various flight tests with their “2024 Cento” drone. The drone has the capability to operate beyond the visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) of the operator and will be monitored by a chase plane.</p>
 <p>MightyFly highlights the potential of their drone for B2B fast logistics in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and defense. The company has plans to scale production through a Series A investment round.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> Today’s approval marks a significant step forward for MightyFly, as it looks to test and commercialize its drone technology. The company unveiled its third-gen 2024 Cento drone <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/25965"> in January 2024, </a> which can carry a maximum payload of around 100 lbs while cruising at a speed of 150 mph at a range of around 600 m.</p>

MightyFly receives FAA approval for test flight corridor in California

Technologies bringing about a new reality

Extended Reality

<div>
 <p>Resolution Games, a developer of XR games, has appointed Johan Gästrin as its new chief technology officer (CTO). In his new role, Gästrin will direct the company's technology strategy and spearhead innovation efforts, with a particular focus on spatial computing and mixed reality.</p>
 <p>With a 25-year career in the technology industry, Gästrin brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He has previously served as head of technology at Resolution Games and head of King’s internal game engine, Fiction Factory. In addition to his gaming background, Gästrin has held key roles at H&amp;M and has been involved in various industries including ecommerce and healthcare.</p>
</div>

All Updates

Ayana Bio receives USD 300,000 NIH grant for plant cell-cultivated saffron

Shiru launches world's first protein marketplace and discovery platform

Shiru launches world's first protein marketplace and discovery platform

Caladan Bio raises USD 5 million in seed funding to enhance platform

Florida Governor signs Bill SB 1084 barring sale and manufacture of lab-grown meat

ZEDEDA launches Edge Sync for air-gapped environment management

Amazon partners with Embention to enhance safety of Prime Air drones

Medius partners with Open ECX to offer advanced AP automation capabilities

MightyFly receives FAA approval for test flight corridor in California

Resolution Games appoints Johan Gästrin as CTO