Saudi Arabia’s food technology ecosystem continues to gain momentum as Uvera, a clean-tech startup developing chemical-free food preservation solutions, has successfully closed its Seed funding round. The round attracted backing from Morgan Stanley Inclusive & Sustainable Ventures, LAB7 by Aramco, Core Vision Investment, and a group of strategic angel investors, providing the company with new capital to accelerate its mission of reducing food waste and improving food safety.
Founded in 2019 by Dr. Asrar Damdam, a graduate of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Uvera is addressing one of the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges. Every year, millions of tons of fresh food are wasted due to spoilage throughout the supply chain, resulting in significant economic losses and unnecessary environmental impact. Uvera aims to change that by developing technologies that preserve food naturally without relying on chemical additives.
At the heart of the company’s innovation is Aurora, a food preservation system that combines ultraviolet (UV) light with vacuum sealing to sterilize fresh produce and significantly reduce bacterial growth. The technology can extend the shelf life of fresh food by up to 97%, helping producers, distributors, retailers, and consumers reduce waste while maintaining food quality and safety. By eliminating the need for chemical preservatives, Aurora offers a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to food preservation.
Beyond preservation, Uvera has also developed a digital traceability platform that enables food to be tracked throughout the supply chain—from farms and distribution centers to retailers and consumers. The platform provides greater visibility into inventory movement while helping businesses optimize stock management and minimize spoilage. As food supply chains become increasingly digitized, traceability is emerging as a critical component of both sustainability and food security.
The company’s technology has already attracted the attention of major regional players. Last year, Uvera signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Middle East technology unicorn Careem to integrate its food preservation technology and IoT-powered inventory management solutions into Careem Market stores. The collaboration aims to reduce food waste across retail operations while improving inventory efficiency through real-time monitoring and intelligent stock management.
For founder Dr. Asrar Damdam, the newly closed funding round represents much more than financial investment. Reflecting on the company’s journey, she shared, “Vision attracts the right partners.” She explained that what began as an idea during her PhD research has grown into a company driven by a clear mission: reducing food waste while improving food safety through science and innovation.
Dr. Damdam emphasized that building Uvera has never been solely about raising capital. Instead, she believes the company’s greatest strength lies in attracting partners who genuinely believe in its long-term mission. She expressed gratitude to the Uvera team, investors, customers, advisors, family, and friends who have contributed to the company’s growth, describing the milestone as a collective achievement rather than an individual success.
The investment also highlights the growing interest in climate technology and sustainable food systems across Saudi Arabia. As the Kingdom continues investing in food security, advanced manufacturing, and sustainability under Vision 2030, startups like Uvera are demonstrating how scientific research can be transformed into commercially viable solutions with global relevance.
With fresh funding, strategic investors, and growing commercial partnerships, Uvera is well positioned to scale its technology and expand its impact across the food supply chain. As demand increases for safer, more sustainable methods of preserving food, the company is emerging as one of Saudi Arabia’s most promising foodtech innovators, combining deep scientific research with practical solutions that address one of the world’s most urgent environmental challenges.
