PERKii Probiotics

PERKii Probiotics is a food technology company that has commercialized a novel method for delivering probiotics to the gut. The company originated from research conducted at the University of Queensland, where Professor Bhesh Bhandari and his team at the School of Agriculture and Food Sciences developed a way to protect live probiotics from the harsh acidic environment of the stomach. This core technology, known as ProGel, uses a natural seaweed derivative to create micro-shields around the probiotics. These shields, or microgels, are designed to dissolve and release the live bacteria only when they reach the more neutral pH of the intestines, thereby enhancing their effectiveness.

The journey to commercialization began with the founding of ProGel Pty Ltd in 2009, backed by seed investment from Uniseed and Brisbane Angels, to advance the technology developed by Professor Bhandari. After initial attempts to license the technology were unsuccessful, the team decided to create its own consumer product to demonstrate the technology's potential. This led to the establishment of PERKii Pty Ltd in 2015 as a spin-out company. In 2016, PERKii launched its first product, a low-calorie, non-fermented probiotic drink, after securing $4 million in a Series A funding round. The company has since received further investments, including from the Queensland Government's Business Development Fund, to fuel its expansion. In a strategic move in early 2024, PERKii acquired ProGel Pty Ltd, bringing the core intellectual property and patents for the micro-shield technology in-house.

PERKii’s business model is centered on the manufacturing and distribution of ready-to-drink probiotic beverages. The company targets health-conscious consumers looking for alternatives to traditional dairy-based or fermented probiotic products like yogurt and kombucha. Its revenue is generated through a multi-channel sales model, with products available in major Australian supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths, convenience stores, and health food outlets. The product line includes a range of naturally flavored still and sparkling probiotic waters, as well as smoothies and concentrated shots. Each beverage contains at least 1 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) of live probiotics, such as Lactobacillus casei, protected by the patented micro-shield technology. This approach not only ensures probiotic survivability but also prevents fermentation in the bottle, resulting in a clean taste and longer shelf life compared to many competitors.

Keywords: probiotic drink, gut health, microencapsulation, ProGel technology, University of Queensland spin-out, functional beverage, non-fermented probiotics, targeted release probiotics, low-calorie drink, digestive health, Australian foodtech, microbiome, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium, venture capital-backed, food innovation, shelf-stable probiotics, health and wellness, beverage manufacturing, retail distribution