Ryp Labs

About Ryp Labs

Ryp Labs, formerly known as Stixfresh, is a company operating in the agricultural technology sector with a focus on extending the shelf life of fresh produce. The company was founded by Zhafri Zainudin and Moody Soliman. Zainudin's journey began with an observation of fruit vendors in his Malaysian hometown struggling with produce spoilage. This firsthand experience with the challenges of food waste inspired him to find a natural solution. His background in business and marketing, combined with a decade of research, led to the development of the company's core technology.

Ryp Labs has developed a peelable sticker that acts as a natural preservative for fruits and, more recently, vegetables and flowers. This sticker is coated with a proprietary, all-natural compound of ionized sodium chloride and beeswax, which creates a protective layer around the produce. This layer works to slow down the ripening process and inhibit the development of mold, effectively extending the freshness of items like apples, pears, avocados, and citrus fruits for up to two weeks. The business model targets growers, packers, and distributors within the fresh produce supply chain. By providing a simple-to-apply solution, the company helps its clients reduce spoilage-related financial losses and improve the quality of produce reaching consumers.

The product's key feature is its ease of use and its composition of 100% natural, food-grade ingredients, conforming to GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) standards. This approach offers a distinct advantage over conventional preservation methods that may use synthetic chemicals. The company's significant milestones include being selected for prominent accelerator programs such as the FoodBytes! pitch competition in 2018 and the 2019 cohort of the TERRA Food & Ag Tech Accelerator.