Revolutionizing Chickpeas: NuCicer

Are you a founder seeking insights from groundbreaking entrepreneurs? Join host Josh David Miller (JDM) on the latest episode of the StartupSac Podcast as he delves into Kathryn Cook’s journey of founding NuCicer, a company redefining the possibilities of chickpeas to create a more sustainable and nutritious food system. This episode uncovers Kathryn’s innovative approach to chickpea breeding, the challenges she’s overcome, and the insights she’s gathered along the way.

About Kathryn Cook
Kathryn Cook is the CEO and co-founder of NuCicer, with a background in materials science engineering that drives her focus on optimizing chickpeas as an ingredient from the ground up. Before founding NuCicer, Kathryn honed her expertise in technical program management, focusing on operational efficiency and product development. Her passion for innovation and experience in technical management have been instrumental in NuCicer’s pioneering work in chickpea breeding.

About NuCicer
NuCicer is a technology-driven company committed to transforming chickpeas into a high-protein, sustainable crop with broader food applications. Through advanced breeding techniques, NuCicer has developed chickpeas with up to 75% more protein than standard varieties, creating cost-effective, nutritious ingredients for use in diverse food products. By vertically integrating key stages of the chickpea supply chain and forming strategic partnerships, NuCicer addresses industry-wide challenges and brings better ingredients to the market.

Key Learnings

Kathryn’s Journey as a Founder: Kathryn’s path exemplifies the adaptability required of technical founders. Transitioning from materials science to crop breeding, she embraced the steep learning curve, highlighting the value of teamwork and ongoing curiosity in her work at NuCicer.
The Inspiration Behind NuCicer: Kathryn co-founded NuCicer to tap into chickpeas’ untapped potential as a nutritious, sustainable ingredient. Partnering with her father, a UC Davis professor, she built on their shared expertise to create high-protein chickpeas, addressing challenges of flavor and processing efficiency.
Navigating Fundraising Challenges: Starting with grant funding, Kathryn’s strategic approach to fundraising helped NuCicer raise over $11 million in venture capital, demonstrating the importance of aligning with investors who understand the timeframes and hurdles of deep tech.
Customer Discovery: Early customer discovery was crucial for NuCicer. Engaging with food formulators and ingredient companies helped validate the product and shape its development to meet market needs.

Listen In and Learn More
To hear more about Kathryn Cook’s entrepreneurial journey and the transformative mission of NuCicer, tune into this episode of the StartupSac Podcast. This conversation offers a wealth of insights on building a tech-driven food company, the importance of a collaborative team, and navigating the complex path of deep tech innovation.