[For more diverse corporate information on the startups mentioned in this article, please visit the Unicorn Factory big data platform 'Data Lab.]
Food-tech startup Toss Turz, which develops AI (artificial intelligence)-based fermentation solutions, announced on the 7th that it has secured seed investment from Ulsan Changgyeong Innovation Center. The investment amount was not disclosed.
Established in 2024, Toss Turz is developing a solution that automatically controls temperature and time during the fermentation process of naturally fermented bread (sourdough) using AI. Its key feature lies in optimizing fermentation conditions to suit home environments, enabling anyone to easily make naturally fermented bread.
As interest in health and wellness grows, demand for naturally fermented bread (sourdough) is rising globally as an alternative to regular bread. Unlike commercially produced yeast-based bread made with factory-produced commercial yeast, naturally fermented bread contains natural yeasts derived from nature and lactic acid bacteria generated during its extended fermentation process.
However, the long fermentation process, which can take up to two days, along with the need for precise temperature and humidity control, presents a limitation: even professional bakeries require skilled expertise beyond what ordinary consumers possess.
To address these pain points, Toss Turz is developing AI-based fermentation management technology. Its flagship product, 'SourFriend,' automatically controls the fermentation environment while simultaneously analyzing and accumulating fermentation data in real time. Based on this data, it predicts when the dough reaches optimal fermentation status and guides users to the ideal baking time.
Unlike conventional fermenters that merely maintain a set temperature, the company aims to build a differentiated platform where AI learns and predicts fermentation states based on accumulated data. It plans to expand its services beyond individual consumers to the B2B (business-to-business) market, including bakeries.
Since its establishment, Toss Turz has successfully conducted product funding campaigns on Kickstarter, the largest crowdfunding platform in the U.S., and Wadiz, a leading domestic crowdfunding platform, validating its market potential. Leveraging this investment, the company plans to officially launch its products in the U.S. and Japanese markets this year and advance into the global B2B (business-to-business) sector by conducting technical validation (PoC) with local bakeries in the U.S.
Kim Heon-seong, CEO of Ulsan Changgyeong Innovation Center, stated, "Toss Turz possesses the technological capability to solve structural issues in fermentation management by combining hardware and AI software." He added, "We decided to invest after highly evaluating its ability to enable automatic control using real-time fermentation data, predict optimal fermentation timing, and capitalize on global market growth potential."
Bae Gi-ppeum, CEO of Toss Turz, said, "Through this investment, we will accelerate the launch of our Yangsan product and expand into global markets, striving to grow as an AI-based fermentation platform company."
[MoneyToday startup media platform Unicorn Factory]
in FUTURE
