Cirona Labs
Cirona Labs is a privately held B2B ingredient manufacturer producing water-soluble cannabinoid liquid emulsions and spray-dried powders for CPG brands, hemp extractors, and entrepreneurs developing infused beverages, tinctures, topicals, and edibles.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersGeneva, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Cirona Labs does
Cirona Labs is a privately held B2B ingredient manufacturer that produces water-soluble cannabinoid formulations for use in beverages, tinctures, topicals, and edibles. The company was founded by Hunter Friedland during his time at Cornell University, following a National Science Foundation (NSF I-Corps) study of New York hemp farmers that identified a market gap for higher-standard cannabinoid ingredients. It operates from a cGMP-certified laboratory located on Cornell University's Technology Farm in Rochester, New York, and leverages a proprietary R&D library of more than 900 unique ingredients to formulate custom-matched, water-soluble inputs for client brands. The team combines decades of CPG and cannabis industry experience, including Co-Founder & CIO LJ Buffardi, who previously served on the Board of Directors at Ferrara Pan Candy Co. (sold in 2017 for over $1.4B) and launched the first edible line at cannabis company Sublime.
The company's core technology centers on emulsification and spray-drying processes that convert oil-based cannabinoids into water-dispersible formats, delivered in two primary product forms: liquid emulsions and spray-dried microencapsulated powders. Pre-clinical pharmacokinetic studies have demonstrated particle sizes below 100 nanometers, approximately 4x bioavailability relative to standard cannabinoid oil, and onset times of 10-15 minutes. The product portfolio is supplemented by extract tolling services, which convert client bulk extracts into water-soluble formats, and R&D formulation support for brands developing novel infused products.
Cirona Labs operates a quote-based B2B sales model targeting three customer segments: CPG brands (primary), hemp extractors and processors, and entrepreneurs developing infused products. Monetization flows through bulk ingredient sales, extract tolling services, and professional R&D formulation support, all on one-time or project-based pricing with no disclosed recurring SaaS or licensing layer. Geographic reach spans the United States (with market partnerships in New York and California) and Thailand, where the company announced international expansion into the hemp market in August 2022. The company has raised $1.5 million in a single 2021 seed round from strategic investors LiDestri, BevSource, and Sweetener Supply Corporation, and has not disclosed any subsequent financing event.
Cirona Labs firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cirona Labs
- Legal name
- Cirona Labs
- Website
- https://cironalabs.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Cirona Labs is a privately held B2B ingredient manufacturer producing water-soluble cannabinoid liquid emulsions and spray-dried powders for CPG brands, hemp extractors, and entrepreneurs developing infused beverages, tinctures, topicals, and edibles.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cirona Labs industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cannabinoid Ingredient Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing (325411), Spice and Extract Manufacturing (311942)
- SIC
- Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Beverage Emulsions & Clouding Agents (Flavor Emulsions, Weighting Agents) (AFAJACAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Ingredient Blends & Systems / Custom Formulation (Seasoning Systems, Functional Blends) (CRADAOAO), Flavor Bases & Emulsions (Citrus oils, beverage emulsions, clouding agents) (AFAFAGAE)
Keywords
Where Cirona Labs is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Geneva
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Cirona Labs business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Bulk Ingredients Sales: Sale of water-soluble liquid emulsions and spray-dried powders to brands seeking high quality water soluble cannabinoid ingredients for beverages, tinctures, topicals, and edibles
- Extract Tolling: Conversion of bulk extracts into versatile water-soluble ingredients for extractors and processors
- R&D Formulation Support: R&D support services for product development through the entire production process, ideal for entrepreneurs and disruptors
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Cirona Labs product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cirona Labs manufactures water-soluble cannabinoid ingredients in two primary formats: liquid emulsions and spray-dried powders, designed for use in beverages, tinctures, topicals, and edibles. The company also offers extract tolling services to convert bulk extracts into water-soluble form and R&D formulation support through its proprietary library of 900+ ingredients to deliver custom-matched ingredients for client products.
Product overview
Cirona Labs is a manufacturer of water-soluble cannabinoid ingredients offering two primary product types: Water Soluble Liquid Emulsions (bulk liquid emulsions) and Water Dispersible Powders (spray-dried microencapsulated powders). These core ingredients are complemented by Bulk Ingredients services and Extract Tolling services that convert bulk extracts into water-soluble forms. The company also provides R&D Formulation Support to help clients develop novel products. All offerings leverage a proprietary R&D library of over 900 qualified formulations to provide custom-matched ingredients for clients' specific product needs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Water Soluble Liquid Emulsions
Quantifiable outcome
- 4x bioavailability vs. cannabinoid oil
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Cirona Labs
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Cirona Labs technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Cirona Labs partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Thailand Hemp MarketminorInternational expansion partnership into Thailand hemp market announced in August 2022 through Cannabis Business Executive.
- Sweet SolutionsminorListed as a partner company, likely involved in distribution or resale of Cirona Labs' ingredients to food and beverage manufacturers.
- Cornell University Technology FarmcoreUniversity partnership providing research collaboration and location for cGMP-certified lab. Cirona Labs is based on Cornell's Technology Farm in upstate New York.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Cirona Labs competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SoRSE Technology: SoRSE is a direct competitor producing water-soluble cannabis emulsions and powder ingredients for beverage and edible brands. It is one of the most established players in the exact niche Cirona Labs targets.
- Lexaria Bioscience: Lexaria develops proprietary cannabinoid delivery and bioavailability enhancement technology, including DehydraTECH, with similar bioavailability and onset-time claims. It is publicly traded and competes for the same CPG infusion customers.
- Trait Biosciences: Trait Bio focuses on water-soluble cannabinoid formulations and has built a portfolio of emulsion and powder technologies. It targets the same B2B infusion and beverage customer base as Cirona Labs.
- NextLeaf Solutions: NextLeaf develops and licenses patented cannabinoid extraction and processing technology, including water-soluble formats. It is publicly traded and competes for the same ingredient customers.
- MediPharm Labs: MediPharm is a cannabis-focused pharmaceutical-grade extractor and ingredient producer offering concentrates, distillates, and formulated ingredients to CPG customers. Comparable in serving B2B cannabis ingredient needs.
- Willow Biosciences: Willow develops biosynthetically produced cannabinoids and other ingredients for CPG and pharmaceutical applications. It is a relevant peer in cannabinoid ingredient manufacturing serving similar end markets.
- Capna IP: Capna IP offers proprietary cannabis extraction, distillation, and formulation services to produce bulk ingredients. Comparable as a B2B cannabis ingredient peer with similar go-to-market.
Emerging players
- Pressure BioSciences: Pressure BioSciences provides high-pressure processing and emulsion technology used in cannabis and food ingredient manufacturing. Comparable as an enabling technology peer for cannabinoid processing.
- Liqmetix: Liqmetix develops water-soluble and nanoemulsion technology for cannabinoids and other lipophilic compounds, targeting beverage and nutraceutical CPG brands. Direct adjacency to Cirona's core technology.
- Reakiro Pharma: Reakiro produces CBD and cannabinoid ingredients including water-soluble formats for European and international CPG customers. Comparable in water-soluble ingredient development and cross-border commercialization.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Cirona Labs social profiles
Digital presenceCirona Labs compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Cirona Labs financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cirona Labs leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Cirona Labs funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cirona Labs M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Cirona Labs
What does Cirona Labs do?
Cirona Labs manufactures water-soluble cannabinoid ingredients in two primary formats: liquid emulsions and spray-dried powders, designed for use in beverages, tinctures, topicals, and edibles. The company also offers extract tolling services to convert bulk extracts into water-soluble form and R&D formulation support through its proprietary library of 900+ ingredients to deliver custom-matched ingredients for client products.
Is Cirona Labs a public or private company?
Cirona Labs is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Cirona Labs founded?
Cirona Labs was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Cirona Labs based?
Cirona Labs is headquartered in Geneva, United States, in the North America region.
How does Cirona Labs make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Bulk Ingredients Sales are the primary driver. The others are extract Tolling and R&D Formulation Support.
Who are Cirona Labs's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SoRSE Technology, Lexaria Bioscience, Trait Biosciences, NextLeaf Solutions, MediPharm Labs, Willow Biosciences and Capna IP. Emerging players are Pressure BioSciences, Liqmetix and Reakiro Pharma.
Does Cirona Labs have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cirona Labs.
What industry is Cirona Labs in?
Cirona Labs's product category is Cannabinoid Ingredient Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAJACAK, Beverage Emulsions & Clouding Agents (Flavor Emulsions, Weighting Agents), with a secondary code of CRADAOAO, Ingredient Blends & Systems / Custom Formulation (Seasoning Systems, Functional Blends). Its NAICS code is 325411 and its SIC code is 2833.