Biography of Jasmin Hume: Founder & CEO of Shiru -Entrepreneur
Jasmin Hume: A Visionary in Sustainable Food Innovation
Jasmin Hume, a passionate entrepreneur, is the founder and
CEO of Shiru, a groundbreaking biotechnology startup. The company is on a
mission to transform the global food system by developing sustainable,
nutritious, and scalable ingredients for plant-based products. Through her
work, Hume aims to address global challenges such as climate change,
biodiversity loss, and public health crises by providing eco-friendly,
high-performance ingredients for the rapidly growing plant-based food industry.
Education and Early Beginnings
Jasmin Hume’s journey began with an academic foundation that
would shape her future in biotechnology. She holds a PhD in protein engineering
from New York University (NYU) and has a Masters in Materials Engineering from
Chalmers University in Sweden. She also completed a Bachelor of Engineering in
Chemical Engineering with a minor in Biotechnology from McGill University in
Canada. Her strong educational background in engineering and materials science
laid the groundwork for her deep understanding of the science behind proteins
and biotechnology, which would later drive her entrepreneurial ambitions.
The Spark of Innovation: Shiru’s Founding
Shiru was born out of Hume’s desire to change the food
industry by providing more sustainable and healthy alternatives to traditional
animal-based ingredients. In June 2019, she founded Shiru, a company that
harnesses the power of protein engineering, precision fermentation, and data
science to develop ingredients that not only perform well but also have a
positive environmental impact. Shiru’s vision is to accelerate the shift to
plant-based foods by offering ingredients that meet the demand for both sustainability
and superior quality.
A Key Part of Y Combinator’s 2019 Cohort
Hume’s entrepreneurial journey gained significant momentum
when Shiru was selected for Y Combinator’s summer 2019 cohort. Y Combinator, a
renowned startup accelerator, provided Hume with the resources, mentorship, and
network needed to scale her company. Being part of this prestigious program
helped Shiru refine its business model and solidify its position in the
competitive field of alternative proteins and sustainable food ingredients.
Experience at JUST and Lux Capital
Before founding Shiru, Jasmin Hume worked at JUST, an
innovative company focused on plant-based food products. She served as the
Director of Food Chemistry, where she played a pivotal role in developing and
optimizing plant-based ingredients. Her time at JUST allowed her to deepen her
expertise in food science and sustainable food technologies. Hume also gained
valuable experience working as a summer associate at Lux Capital, a venture
capital firm, which gave her insight into the funding and scaling processes of
startups. These roles helped her understand the challenges and opportunities in
the food industry, further motivating her to create Shiru.
Biography of Jasmin Hume: Founder & CEO of Shiru -Entrepreneur#startup#age#net worth#sustainable plant-based ingredients#Shiru story#Jasmin Hume story
Shiru’s Focus on Protein Engineering
Shiru’s core focus is on protein engineering, a field in
which Hume is highly skilled. By leveraging her expertise in biochemistry and
materials science, she and her team at Shiru work to create novel proteins that
can be used as functional ingredients in plant-based foods. These proteins are
engineered to replicate the taste, texture, and functionality of animal-based
ingredients, allowing food companies to create more sustainable products
without sacrificing quality or consumer satisfaction.
Shiru’s Revolutionary Approach to Sustainable Ingredients
One of the key innovations that sets Shiru apart is its use
of precision fermentation and synthetic biology to develop its ingredients.
Through these technologies, Shiru can create proteins that are not only
sustainable but also scalable. This means that Shiru can produce ingredients in
large quantities, making them accessible to food manufacturers of all
sizes—from emerging brands to global corporations. The company’s ingredient
catalog offers a range of options for plant-based food products, from meat alternatives
to dairy substitutes, enabling manufacturers to meet the growing demand for
sustainable foods.
The Challenge of Fundraising as a Solo Founder
Jasmin Hume’s journey as a solo founder has been both
rewarding and challenging. As the sole founder of Shiru, she has had to balance
the demands of running a startup with the complexities of fundraising. In a
recent interview, Hume shared her experience of fundraising while being eight
months pregnant, highlighting the challenges women face in the startup world.
Despite these challenges, she has successfully raised funds for Shiru, bringing
together investors who believe in her vision for a more sustainable food
system.
The Role of XFactor Ventures
In addition to her work at Shiru, Jasmin Hume is also a
partner at XFactor Ventures, a venture capital firm that focuses on providing
pre-seed and seed-stage funding to companies founded by women. As an investment
partner, Hume brings her entrepreneurial experience and deep understanding of
the food industry to support ambitious women founders. XFactor Ventures is
known for its commitment to backing companies that have the potential to become
billion-dollar businesses, and Hume’s involvement in the firm reflects her
dedication to empowering women in entrepreneurship.
A Multilingual Leader
Jasmin Hume’s impressive background is complemented by her
ability to speak five languages, which is a testament to her global perspective
and communication skills. This multilingual ability has proven to be an asset
in her work with international teams, collaborators, and investors. Being able
to connect with people from diverse backgrounds has helped Hume expand Shiru’s
reach and form strategic partnerships around the world.
The Vision for a More Sustainable Future
Jasmin Hume’s work at Shiru is driven by a deep sense of
purpose. She is committed to creating a more sustainable future by making
plant-based ingredients a mainstream choice for food manufacturers. The global
food system is one of the largest contributors to environmental issues such as
climate change and biodiversity loss. By providing innovative, sustainable
ingredients, Shiru aims to reduce the environmental impact of food production
while also improving public health by offering healthier alternatives to
traditional animal-based products.
Balancing Family and Entrepreneurship
Despite her demanding role as a CEO and founder, Jasmin Hume
is also a proud mother of two. She has successfully managed the challenges of
building a company while raising a family, demonstrating that it is possible to
balance personal and professional commitments. Hume’s story is an inspiration
to many women who are juggling their entrepreneurial ambitions with family
responsibilities, showing that both can be achieved with passion,
determination, and support.
A Legacy of Innovation and Leadership
Jasmin Hume’s entrepreneurial journey is still in its early
stages, but her impact on the food industry is already being felt. Through
Shiru, she has created a company that is poised to revolutionize the global
food system by providing sustainable, nutritious ingredients that help food
companies meet the growing demand for plant-based products. As a leader,
innovator, and advocate for sustainability, Hume is helping shape the future of
food and paving the way for a more sustainable and equitable world.
Timeline for story
Education: Jasmin Hume earns PhD in protein engineering from
NYU, Masters from Chalmers University, and Bachelor's from McGill University.
2019: Founding of Shiru to develop sustainable plant-based
ingredients.
2019: Shiru joins Y Combinator’s summer cohort for scaling
support.
Pre-2019: Hume works at JUST as Director of Food Chemistry
and gains experience at Lux Capital.
2020: Shiru focuses on protein engineering and precision
fermentation to create sustainable ingredients.
2021: Hume raises funds for Shiru while being eight months
pregnant.
Ongoing: Hume serves as a partner at XFactor Ventures to
support women founders.
Present: Shiru continues to innovate and provide scalable,
eco-friendly ingredients for the plant-based food industry.
