The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry
Singapore deep-tech company N&E Innovations has raised A$2.4 million (approx.$1.73 million) in Series A funding as it prepares to expand its food waste and antimicrobial technology across international markets.
The round was led by Australian agrifood investment firm Tundra Capital, with Singapore government-owned deep-tech investor SGInnovate, the Radical Fund, Archipelago VC and SG7 Group also participating. Existing investors Cercano, SEEDS Capital, Elev8 Capital and Qian Hu Corporation have continued their support.
At the centre of N&E's technology is ViKANG99, a patented antimicrobial ingredient produced by extracting naturally occurring compounds from agricultural by-products, including discarded cashew nut husks.
According to the company, the resulting food-grade ingredient can be applied directly to fresh produce or incorporated into food packaging, including cling film. It can be used in cleaning and hygiene products.
N&E says the technology can help fresh produce last up to four times longer, potentially reducing food waste across storage, transport, retail and foodservice.
Founded in 2020 by biomedical scientist Didi Gan, N&E developed the technology around the idea of treating agricultural waste as a resources rather than simply something to be discarded.
Its patented process breaks down agricultural by-products at a molecular level to extract active antimicrobial compounds, which are subsequently refined into a food-grade ingredient.
One of the company’s first commercial applications is the Orange Wrap, which N&E describes as the world’s first antibacterial cling wrap.
Unlike conventional cling film, which primarily acts as a physical barrier around food, The Orange Wrap incorporates ViKANG99 into the material, enabling it to actively inhibit bacterial growth and help food remain fresh for longer.
Founder Gan, said: “Food waste is usually seen as something we need to get rid of. We see it as a resource. We can take something like a discarded cashew nut husk, extract the compounds that naturally fight microbes and turn them into an ingredient that can help protect food.”
N&E is also moving into agricultural applications, with its Post-Harvest Wash and Post-Harvest Guard systems due to launch later this year.
The systems are designed to apply ViKANG99 directly to fruit and vegetables after harvest, suppressing mould and microbial growth during storage, transport and retail.
The company positions the technology as a natural alternative to conventional post-harvest treatments such as chlorine and wax.
The Series A funding will support commercialisation of ViKANG99 across three core areas: antimicrobial food packaging, plant-based cleaning and post-harvest agriculture. It will also fund international expansion, regulatory programmes and team growth.
