A Raleigh startup trying to open up the world of food processing to small companies has closed on nearly $5 million – and the plan is to more than double its headcount.
Michael Druga, CEO of SinnovaTek, characterizes the equity round, which closed Sept. 10, as a Series A round to fund growth. The came from one backer, Lewis and Clark Ventures of Missouri. And it will go toward expanding the operation.
Druga said the company is in the process of finalizing a deal for a large scale manufacturing facility in Nash County. Today, the team has about 30 employees. But when the new facility opens up, the plan is to add an additional 55.
“We’re hoping to be up and running by next summer, operational in the fall,” Druga said.
And, if all goes well, the firm could expand to a second processing lab six months after that, he said.
SinnovaTek, whose innovation came out of microwave technology developed at North Carolina State University, develops technologies to open the door to small companies when it comes to food processing. It builds and sells processing equipment that incorporate that Wolfpack-born technology. Its thermal processing method allows for the production of shelf-stable products that don’t require refrigeration until the packages are opened. Druga said its small-scale devices allow startups and small companies to play on the same field as giant food processors.
“Startups can come in and have access to high quality, shelf-stable food products,” Druga explained.
The firm, made up of food scientists, as well as engineers like Druga, has been a certified B corporation since 2017. The firm was founded in 2015.
Drug was previously CTO of another startup born out of North Carolina State University technology - Aseptia.