Summary:
Luum raised $30 million for AI-driven eyelash extension robots, revolutionizing beauty services.
Elicit Plant secured $48 million to develop phytosterol solutions, enhancing plant resilience to climate change.
Plantible Foods closed a $30 million Series B to produce sustainable Rubi Protein from duckweed.
OceanWell raised $11 million for innovative deep-sea water farms, producing 1 million gallons of fresh water daily.
Lunar Outpost is advancing lunar mobility with new funding and contracts with NASA and the Department of Defense.
This monthly column highlights five intriguing startup funding deals that may have gone unnoticed. With the holiday season in full swing, it’s easy to overlook some exciting announcements. Here’s a look at recently funded startups tackling issues from climate change to AI-driven beauty solutions.
Lucrative Lashes
The eyelash market is booming, especially when combined with AI and robotics. Luum, based in Oakland, California, raised a Series A funding round, totaling $30 million. Their AI lash extension robots, known as Luum Lash, are designed to perform eyelash extensions autonomously, claiming to be safer and more accurate than human technicians. The company has partnerships with Ulta Beauty and Nordstrom, piloting their service in San Jose.
Fortifying Plants for Climate Change
With water scarcity affecting 25 countries and 23% of U.S. land facing water stress, it’s crucial to enhance food supply resilience. Elicit Plant secured a $48 million Series B to develop phytosterol-based solutions that help plants adapt to climate change. Their spray can reduce water consumption by 20% while increasing yields by 10%. They plan to expand their product range to include soybeans by 2027.
More Protein
In the food sector, Plantible Foods closed a $30 million Series B to enhance their production of Rubi Protein, derived from duckweed. This plant-based protein reportedly outperforms traditional animal and plant proteins in both functional and nutritional properties. The investment will help expand their manufacturing operations.
Water Tech
As global water demand has surged and supply has plummeted, OceanWell, a Los Angeles-based startup, raised $11 million for its modular deep-sea water farm technology. Their innovative approach harnesses pressure at 400 meters for efficient reverse osmosis desalination, producing up to 1 million gallons of fresh water daily while reducing energy consumption by 40%.
Building Out Space
Lunar Outpost is making strides in the burgeoning space economy. The Golden, Colorado-based startup raised an undisclosed amount in a Series A round to develop commercial lunar mobility offerings. They have contracts with NASA and the U.S. Department of Defense for future space exploration missions, aiming to facilitate mobility on the moon.
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