Uvera Bringing a Fresh Perspective on Food Preservation
- Founded by Asrar Damdam, Uvera aims to cut food waste and extend shelf life through biotech solutions such as Aurora.
- Aurora uses ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light and vacuum sealing to extend the shelf life of fresh produce by up to 97% in 30 seconds.
- Uvera has been recognized as part of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF) accelerator program and aligns its mission with global sustainability goals.
Reducing food waste is a critical piece of global food sustainability. Approximately one-third of all food produced globally, or about 1.3 billion tons, ends up as waste.
Food waste also contributes approximately 8%-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This loss has severe implications for the environment, the economy, and food security.
Uvera is a Saudi Arabian biotech startup that aims to reduce food waste and extend the shelf life of fresh produce.
Founded by Asrar Damdam, the company developed Aurora, a device that uses ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light and vacuum sealing.
Aurora’s Approach to Food Preservation
Uvera’s Aurora device is an AI-powered system that can extend the shelf life of fresh food by up to 97% within 30 seconds, without using chemicals.
This innovation helps preserve sensory qualities such as taste, texture, and aroma.
UV-C light is known for its germicidal properties and effectively eliminates harmful microorganisms that cause spoilage. Users place food items in a special container, insert them into the device, and extend the food’s shelf life in 30 seconds.
Asrar Damdam and Uvera
Asrar Damdam founded Uvera with a passion for bridging the gap between scientific innovation and practical application.
She has a background in electro-physics and a deep interest in UV technology. A research paper on the effects of UV light on food preservation inspired the development of Uvera and its product.
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Uvera was officially established in June 2019 at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Research and Technology Park in Saudi Arabia.
The startup was recognized as part of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund accelerator program.
Uvera’s mission also aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 12.3, which aims to halve per capita global food waste by 2030.
Uvera’s Business Model and Manufacturing Plans
As of January 2023, Uvera had raised substantial pre-sales revenue and was working toward finalizing Aurora for a broader market release.
The company was in the manufacturing phase, with operations in Taiwan, Turkey, and Egypt. Damdam and her team were also looking to expand into the UAE.
Uvera’s business model uses a hardware-enabled software-as-a-service (HESaaS) approach. The company sells the Aurora device and generates recurring revenue through additional storage containers.
The model also includes a mobile app that tracks food inventory and shelf life. For retailers, Uvera offers a subscription model that includes both hardware and software to help businesses manage inventory and reduce food waste.
Uvera’s focus is on sustainability and its commitment to innovation.
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