Food Allergen Detector Amulet Banks New $6 Million

Amulet, a Madison, Wisconsin-based startup specializing in portable food allergen and contaminant detection technology, has raised $6 million in Series A financing.

This funding round, led by HealthX Ventures, also saw participation from Incite Ventures, AllerFund, Mendota Venture Capital, and Great Oaks Venture Capital, along with individual investors such as Pinterest executive Julie Bornstein and serial entrepreneur Diede van Lamoen.

According to Amulet, the new capital will be used to support the company’s expansion, including scaling its team, broadening its detection capabilities, and executing a full product launch.

Amulet has two food safety products in development: Allergy Amulet, a consumer-focused wearable device for on-the-go allergen detection, and Amulet Scientific, a commercial platform designed for the food industry to identify various contaminants. The Allergy Amulet caters to individuals managing food allergies, allowing users to test food for common allergens such as gluten and peanuts. The device, which can be worn as a keychain, necklace, or wristband, offers a convenient solution for the estimated 33 million Americans with food allergies.

Amulet Scientific, on the other hand, targets businesses within the food industry, including restaurants, suppliers, and manufacturers. The platform features a portable, battery-powered potentiostat (which measures the electric current resulting from electrochemical reactions) that detects molecular targets like food toxins and environmental contaminants. This technology is designed to enhance food safety standards by providing rapid, on-site detection capabilities.

Amulet, originally known as Allergy Amulet, was founded by CEO Abigail Barnes and Joseph BelBruno in 2016. “Amulet’s technology has the potential to improve the safety of our food systems and, by extension, the health and well-being of millions,” said Ms. Barnes. “From gluten to glyphosate in our food and soil, this funding will allow us to deploy rapid detection for both consumers and businesses to help ensure a safer food supply chain and reduce adverse health outcomes for food allergy, food intolerant, and celiac populations.”

The food safety market, which includes allergen detection, is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. According to industry projections, the global food safety testing market could reach $24 billion by 2027, driven by increasing consumer awareness and tighter regulatory standards. Amulet’s portable detection technology is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth, offering both consumers and businesses new ways to ensure food safety. Other food allergen detection companies include Nima Labs, Neogen Corporation, and 3M Food Safety. These companies offer a range of food safety testing systems and procedures, but Amulet’s focus on portability and rapid detection sets it apart.

HealthX Ventures, the lead investor in this round, sees Amulet’s technology as an important tool for millions of people managing food allergies and intolerances. “We strive to support digital innovations that make healthcare easier and more affordable,” said Mark Bakken, the managing partner of HealthX Ventures. “There’s no doubt that what Amulet is creating is a much-needed product for the hundreds of millions globally managing food allergies, celiac disease, food intolerances, and the countless businesses that strive to serve them. We look forward to supporting Amulet through this next stage of growth as they bring their innovation to market.”

In recent months, Amulet has strengthened its senior management team as it accelerates its commercialization efforts. Michelle Wu, who brings over 20 years of experience in the health and wellness, medical device, and technology industries, has joined as Head of Product. Additionally, Barkley Jenny has been appointed as VP of Product, bringing experience in supply chain logistics and operations from his previous roles at companies like Danone and HealthyBaby.

Among the venture capital firms backing Amulet, HealthX Ventures is noted for its focus on digital health innovations. Incite Ventures, led by Swati Mylavarapu, is another key investor known for supporting impact-driven initiatives. AllerFund, the first venture capital firm dedicated to the food allergy sector, also participated in the round.