NuCicer

About NuCicer

NuCicer is an agri-food technology company developing chickpea varieties with significantly higher protein content for the plant-based food industry. The company was co-founded in 2019 by CEO Kathryn Cook, Chief Science Officer and her father, Dr. Douglas Cook, and Dr. Brendan Riely. The venture originated from over 15 years of research led by Dr. Cook, a professor of plant pathology at UC Davis, who focused on the genetics of wild chickpeas to improve modern crop traits. Kathryn Cook applied her background in materials science engineering and technical program management in aerospace and AI to commercialize the research, viewing food ingredients through a materials science lens.

NuCicer's core technology utilizes genome-guided breeding and the natural genetic biodiversity of wild chickpea relatives to develop non-GMO strains. These chickpeas feature protein content of up to 35%, a substantial increase from the 21% in conventional varieties. This allows food manufacturers to create cleaner-label products by using a single, nutrient-dense ingredient for both protein and fiber fortification, reducing the need for highly processed protein isolates and other additives. The company's products include whole beans, functional flours for pastas and baked goods, and protein powders. Agronomic benefits of NuCicer's varieties include maturing 10-20 days earlier, which lessens late-season weather risks and the need for chemical desiccants, while also improving soil health through nitrogen fixation.

The company's business model is centered on a licensing-based approach and strategic supply chain partnerships, which enables rapid scaling without disrupting existing food production infrastructure. NuCicer supplies its high-protein chickpeas as a key ingredient to food production companies. The startup has raised a total of $25.3M across three funding rounds. A significant milestone was the closing of an $11.5 million Series A funding round in July 2025, led by Rhapsody Venture Partners with participation from Leaps by Bayer, Illumina Ventures, and others. This capital is being used to scale production—with plans to expand from 2,500 acres in 2025 to over 25,000 in 2026—and to accelerate next-generation breeding programs across North America and Europe.