Amai Proteins, an Israeli start-up developer of novel designer proteins that answer the needs of consumers and industry, is the Global Winner of the 2022 XTC competition. Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC) is the world’s largest start-up competition for purpose-driven companies. Over 2000+ start-ups from 100+ countries competed in 10 impact areas ranging from Biotech to Education, Fintech to Cleantech, etc.
Sugar overconsumption underlies the Metabolic Syndrome (obesity, diabetes, and more), a global health challenge primarily affecting the lower socioeconomic classes. Sugar production also places a significant burden on arable land and water usage, contributing air, land, and sea pollution.
Dr. Ilan Samish, CEO and Founder said: “Amai – ‘sweet’ in Japanese – produces the first great tasting and market-fit 100% protein sweetener via Amai’s Pro3 Platform: Pro-Design AI-CPD (Computational Protein Design), Pro-Planet precision fermentation, and Pro-Taste food technology.
Our first product, sweelin™, is a sustainable, 100% sweet protein that can reduce 40% to 70% of added sugar in a wide variety of food & beverages, without changing the consumer taste experience. The novel proteins mimic proteins that reside in harsh conditions (e.g., Dead Sea, hot springs, acidic swamps) and are thus fit for the requirements for the mass food market. These include soft drinks, fruit juices, dairy, alternative dairy products, sauces, spreads, snacks, ketchup, chocolate, peanut butter, energy bars, functional foods, and much more.
