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It’s easy to get swept up in the news and activities of the industry’s global titans, but what about the smaller firms that are out there flexing their creative muscles? In this instalment of ‘Start-up of the month’ – which celebrates the lesser-known companies and their innovations – we speak to Amine Raji, co-founder and CEO of Spore.Bio, a French start-up that uses machine learning to identify pathogens in food production.

To begin, could you introduce Spore.Bio and outline its core objectives?

Spore.Bio is a French start-up established just over a year ago. Our aim is to make the world a safer place. To achieve this vision, we are dedicated to assembling a diverse team of scientific experts and pioneering the development of a next-generation microbiological testing platform that diverges from conventional biological methodologies.

What led to the start-up's establishment?

Amine, the CEO of Spore.Bio, brings with him invaluable experience gained during his time at Nestlé, where he directly confronted the challenges of food safety. This pivotal experience fueled his determination to effect change in the industry. It was during this period that he crossed paths with Maxime Mistretta, a PhD from Institut Pasteur, with an expertise in pioneering physics-based technologies applied to biology. Together, they forged a formidable partnership. Adding to their strength is Mohamed, the former co-founder of Gymlib, who brings a wealth of operational excellence to the team.

What are the biggest issues facing food safety at the moment?

The current technologies to track possible contamination all have the same issues. They are all extremely long, often taking up to a week to deliver results, and are inherently restrictive, relying on the enrichment of bacteria for identification. Discovering contamination only after such a prolonged period can result in significant losses, with an entire week's production rendered unusable. In the most severe scenarios, contaminated products may have already reached consumers, posing risks to their health.

Could you discuss some of your most recent innovations in this area?

We have developed the first technology that can detect microorganisms immediately, directly on the factory floor. With a completely different approach to conventional methods, we can detect and quantify the bacteria with the same accuracy, within seconds.

Could you tell us more about your new pathogen-detection methodology? How does it work?

The device is based on advanced optics technologies to detect specific spectral signatures from bacteria and intelligent artificial models that can recognise these data.

How will your method improve food safety at the factory level?

Our method goes beyond the limitations of traditional pathogen detection methods. With faster results, decision-making becomes more streamlined, significantly mitigating the risks of product contamination. On top of this, our methodology is characterised by minimal consumption of resources, yielding positive outcomes for both the environment and cost-efficiency.

Spore.Bio recently raised €8 million in a pre-seed funding round led by London’s LocalGlobe VC. How will these funds be utilised?

Our priority is to cultivate a proficient and unified team of experts that mirrors the ambition of our project. We are immensely proud of our team's accomplishments thus far and remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering its growth. These funds will play a crucial role in bolstering our team by recruiting technical and operational personnel, especially as we embark on testing our product with leading food manufacturers. In just a few months, our first device is slated for installation directly onto a production line, marking a pivotal milestone in our journey.

What advice do you have for those looking to launch a start-up of their own?

There are so many gigantic problems in the world, waiting for brillant and dedicated minds to solve them. Find a real pain, spend time with your customers, and become an expert in the field. That's the only way to get it.

What's next for Spore.Bio? Any exciting plans in the pipeline?

We've secured several proofs of concept with industry leaders, and our inaugural prototype is slated for installation in the factory before summer. Furthermore, we've welcomed a cadre of highly talented individuals to our team recently, a development that fills us with great optimism. We eagerly anticipate the collective efforts of our expanded team as we propel our project forward with excitement and determination.

Anything else you would like to add?

We are hiring! You can check our website for open job posts.