Protein innovation was a key focus at Future Food-Tech San Francisco, where CoryPro Ingredients was one of many startups looking to find new ways to maximize every part of an ingredient.
CoryPro is focused on cluster beans (guar beans), best known for producing guar gum — widely used emulsifier, thickener, and stabilizer — but is instead tapping into the protein-rich potential of guar meal, a typically overlooked byproduct, according to the company’s CEO and Co-Founder Robert Beausire.
The startup processes the upcycled ingredient into a concentrate and isolate which contains 80% and 92% protein, respectively, which is a significant boost from guar meal’s protein content, which is about 55% protein, Beausire explained.
CoryPro harnesses guar gum’s byproduct, guar meal, which is traditionally used for animal feed, into guar protein as a nutrient-dense ingredient.
CoryPro’s guar protein is affordable “because of the raw material source” they are using, in addition to being allergen-free, non-GMO and gluten-free, Beausire added.
“We are using a byproduct of guar gum production and therefore have a very low cost base” compared to other sources like pea, chickpea or rice, which have to be bought as a food material and manufacturers “have to work out what to do with the rest,” he said.
Guar protein delivers nutrition and functionality across food and beverage applications
Guar protein isolate and concentrate show promise across a variety of food and beverage products, with CoryPro continuing to explore its uses, Beausire said.
“We have made some really interesting textured plant proteins from it. We also see it going into ready-to-mix beverages, probably ready-to-drink beverages and nutrition bars, and that is just to start,” he added.
Emulsification is another function of guar protein, which is ideal in addressing texture in plant-based dairy products, Beausire said.
From self-funding to seed funding
CoryPro may be a new venture for Beausire and co-founder and CTO Roi Wurgaft, but they’re no strangers to the food and nutrition industry. With deep expertise in the protein space, both bring years of business development experience to the table.
The currently self-funded startup is seeking its first $2 million seed funding round to “settle the company down” and “get more production made,” Beausire said.
CoryPro filed a patent on their production process, along with already producing hundreds of kilos of protein – which is ahead of most other early-stage startups in the space, he said.