San Francisco-based microbiome data analytics start-up Phylagen has raised $14m to develop a platform that fights against supply chain fraud and human rights violations. The series A round was led by Breakout Ventures, Cultivian Sandbox, Working Capital and AgFunder. The platform collects dirt and dust samples from around the world to create a digital fingerprint of the invisible microbes in each location. The data can then be accessed by firms wanting to know the goods they are sourcing are genuine and whether they are being made in sweatshops. In addition to its work on food safety, Phylagen, which is backed by venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, also works with companies such as Unilever and Nestle on their own sustainability initiatives.
San Francisco-based microbiome data analytics start-up Phylagen has raised $14m to develop a platform that fights against supply chain fraud and human rights violations. The series A round was led by Breakout Ventures, Cultivian Sandbox, Working Capital and AgFunder. The platform collects dirt and dust samples from around the world to create a digital fingerprint of the invisible microbes in each location. The data can then be accessed by firms wanting to know the goods they are sourcing are genuine and whether they are being made in sweatshops. The platform will first be used in the international clothing industry.