YOKNE'AM ILLIT, ISRAEL — Phytolon, an Israeli biotechnology food tech startup producing natural food colors through precision fermentation, is scaling and commercializing its colorings portfolio with the backing of an investment from Rich Product Ventures (RPV), the corporate venture capital fund of Rich Products. Rich Products said through the investment, it also will explore using Phytolon’s color offerings in several of its products ranging from icings, toppings, baked foods among others. Other existing investors included EIT-Food, Arkin Holdings and Yossi Ackerman.

“Rich’s investment and commercial partnership are key to establishing a strong footprint in bakery, desserts, and related segments, where solutions for natural colors are in high demand,” said Tal Zeltzer, co-founder and chief technology officer at Phytolon.

Phytolon produces its natural colorings using the fermentation of its baker’s yeast strains and also uses the betalain pigments of beetroot, cactus fruit and pitaya.

The company’s current color product line includes purple, pink, red, orange and yellow.

“Innovation is at the core of both Rich’s and RPV,” said Dinsh Guzdar, managing director, Rich Product Ventures. “At RPV, we’re investing in venture and growth stage companies that are shaping the future of food through technology and innovation. Sustainable food production is a key area of focus for us, so we’re excited about the cutting-edge work Phytolon is leading and the opportunity that presents Rich’s to create greater value for our customers.”

Phytolon recently partnered with Ginkgo Bioworks, a horizontal platform for cell programming, to produce cultured food colors via fermentation of yeast. That partnership began producing betalain pigments, particularly to maximize the production efficiency of purple and yellow betalain-producing strains.

Phytolon also received $14.5 million from DSM Ventures, a corporate venture business of Royal DSM, in July 2022.

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