Applied Food Sciences, Inc.
Applied Food Sciences, Inc. is a privately held Texas-based bulk ingredient supplier that develops and sells proprietary botanical extracts—including organic caffeine, guayusa, green tea, functional mushrooms, turmeric, and hemp protein—to qualified food, beverage, and supplement manufacturers worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersAustin, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Applied Food Sciences, Inc. does
Applied Food Sciences, Inc. (AFS) is a privately held bulk ingredient supplier that develops and sells proprietary botanical extracts to qualified food, beverage, and supplement manufacturers. Founded in the early 2000s (described across sources as operating for "over 20 years") and headquartered in Kerrville/Austin, Texas, AFS runs an R&D Innovation Center at the University of Iowa BioVentures Center, a marketing office in Longmont, Colorado, and global sourcing and cultivation infrastructure including 90+ indigenous guayusa-farming cooperatives in Ecuador and a mushroom cultivation facility in Finland operated with KÄÄPÄ Biotech. AFS only sells to commercial manufacturers, with end-consumer demand generated indirectly through downstream finished-goods brands that incorporate its ingredients.
The company's portfolio is organized into six branded lines spanning 15+ ingredients: Energy + Focus (PurCaf®, AmaTea® Max, JAVA.g®, PurTea®, PurGinseng™), Functional Flavor (PurGinger®, PurTurmeric®), Ingredient Technology (CleanStream), Nutritional Actives (CelluThrive™, GCA®, PurC®, Oligen®), Functional Mushrooms (MycoThrive™ — Lion's Mane, Chaga, Cordyceps, Reishi, Shiitake, Maitake), and plant proteins (PurHP-75™, V-70). Underlying these products are three U.S. process patents (US 9,345,707 and 10,300,097 B2 for guayusa, US 7,662,863 B2 for D-glucarate), FDA GRAS self-affirmations — including a historical first FDA "no questions letter" for AmaTea® Max as a natural caffeine-containing botanical — and full certifications across Non-GMO Project, STAR-K Kosher, Gluten-Free, SQF, Halal, and Organic.
AFS generates revenue primarily through quote-based B2B bulk ingredient sales to qualified manufacturers, with secondary royalty and licensing income from patented extraction processes. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; samples, formulation discussions, and orders are gated behind an Inquiry Form requiring manufacturer acknowledgment. The go-to-market is sales-led, supplemented by event-driven activation at Engredea / Natural Products Expo West, Vitafoods Europe, BevNET Live, and IFT; thought-leadership content marketing; channel partners such as Dempsey Corporation in Canada; and downstream demand generation through finished-goods brand partners such as Recess, Kaged, MAKA, Lotus, Salud (at Target), Joggy, and SFH.
Applied Food Sciences, Inc. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Applied Food Sciences, Inc.
- Legal name
- Applied Food Sciences, Inc.
- Website
- https://appliedfoods.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Applied Food Sciences, Inc. is a privately held Texas-based bulk ingredient supplier that develops and sells proprietary botanical extracts—including organic caffeine, guayusa, green tea, functional mushrooms, turmeric, and hemp protein—to qualified food, beverage, and supplement manufacturers worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Applied Food Sciences, Inc. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Botanical Ingredients
- NAICS
- Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing (3114), Food Manufacturing (311), Other Specialty Food Retailers (44529), Food (Health) Supplement Retailers (456191)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090), Canned, Fruits, Veg, Preserves, Jams & Jellies (2033), Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833), Canned, Frozen & Preservd Fruit, Veg & Food Specialties (2030)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Ingredient Blends & Systems / Custom Formulation (Seasoning Systems, Functional Blends) (CRADAOAO)
Keywords
Where Applied Food Sciences, Inc. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Austin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Applied Food Sciences, Inc. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel
Revenue model
- Bulk Ingredient Sales: Core revenue stream selling proprietary botanical extracts, powders, and concentrates in bulk to qualified food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and nutritional supplement manufacturers; positioned as a B2B specialty ingredient supplier with gated access requiring manufacturer acknowledgment.
- Licensing & Royalty Income: Revenue derived from patented extraction processes (e.g., US 10,300,097 B2 for AmaTea® Max; US 9,345,707 for guayusa) covering the production of enriched natural guayusa, granting AFS exclusive rights to monetize the patented technology through ingredient sales and licensing.
- Indirect Consumer Sales (via Infused Brands): Indirect revenue generated when downstream "AFS-infused" finished goods (Recess, Kaged, MAKA, Lotus, Joggy, etc.) are sold to consumers through retailers (e.g., Target) and D2C channels; not direct AFS revenue but drives manufacturer pull-through demand.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | — | Quote-based B2B bulk ingredient pricing; not publicly disclosed |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Applied Food Sciences, Inc. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Applied Food Sciences, Inc. (AFS) is a privately held bulk ingredient supplier that manufactures and sells proprietary, branded specialty botanical extracts — including organic green coffee caffeine (PurCaf®), patented guayusa extracts (AmaTea® Max), green tea caffeine (PurTea®), functional mushroom extracts (MycoThrive™), D-Glucarate (CelluThrive™), and hemp seed protein (PurHP-75™) — exclusively to qualified commercial food, beverage, and supplement manufacturers worldwide. The portfolio is organized into branded sub-product lines spanning Energy + Focus, Functional Flavor, Nutritional Actives, Ingredient Technology, Functional Mushrooms, and plant proteins.
Product overview
Applied Food Sciences, Inc. (AFS) operates as a bulk ingredient supplier — not a unified software platform — selling a portfolio of proprietary specialty botanical extracts to qualified food, beverage, and supplement manufacturers. Its offering is organized as a portfolio of branded sub-product lines rather than modules of a single platform: the Energy + Focus line (PurCaf®, AmaTea® Max, JAVA.g®, PurTea®, PurGinseng™), the Functional Flavor line (PurGinger®, PurTurmeric®), the Nutritional Actives line (CelluThrive™, GCA®, PurC®, Oligen®), the Functional Mushrooms line (MycoThrive™ Lion's Mane, Chaga, Cordyceps, Reishi, Shiitake, Maitake), the Ingredient Technology line (CleanStream), and plant proteins (PurHP-75™, V-70). These ingredients are sold individually to manufacturers across categories such as beverages, sports nutrition, supplements, plant-based foods, snacks, and non-alcoholic RTDs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PurCaf®: Organic green coffee caffeine extract.
- AmaTea® Max
- JAVA.g®
- PurTea®
- PurGinseng™
- PurGinger®
- PurTurmeric®
- CleanStream
- CelluThrive™
- GCA®
- PurC®
- Oligen®
- MycoThrive™
- PurHP-75™
Products and services
- PurCaf® AFS's flagship organic green coffee caffeine extract standardized at 95% caffeine, designed as a natural, Non-GMO Project Verified clean-label alternative to synthetic caffeine for beverages, stick packs, and nutritional supplements.
- AmaTea® Max Patented organic guayusa (Ilex guayusa) extract clinically studied for cognitive benefits including focus, mood, reaction time, and reduced jitters; received a historical first FDA GRAS 'no questions letter' for a natural caffeine-containing botanical.
- JAVA.g® AFS's green coffee extract combining naturally occurring caffeine with antioxidants (chlorogenic acids), positioned as a clean-label source of caffeine plus antioxidant actives.
- PurTea® Organic green tea extract standardized at 95% (or 30%) caffeine with fully water-soluble, neutral-taste properties, designed to replace synthetic caffeine in beverages, stick packs, and supplements.
- PurGinseng™ Panax ginseng extract positioned as a highly soluble adaptogenic energy ingredient for functional beverages.
- PurGinger® Organic ginger extract offering bold spicy flavor with full solubility for beverages.
- PurTurmeric® Organic turmeric extract with on-trend golden-orange color, full solubility, and complex flavor for clean-label beverage formulation.
- CleanStream Organic microbeadlet curcumin ingredient technology, addressing caking and equipment staining challenges associated with traditional curcumin ingredients.
- CelluThrive™ Clinically validated D-Glucarate ingredient (US Patent 7,662,863 B2) for cellular health, hormone balance, muscle recovery, immune resilience, and beauty-from-within applications; available as Calcium D-Glucarate and Potassium D-Glucarate.
- GCA® Green coffee-derived chlorogenic acid ingredient for nutritional active applications.
- PurC® Fully water-soluble 25% organic vitamin C extract from acerola, formulated for clean-label fortification.
- Oligen® Olive polyphenol extract ingredient developed in partnership with OleoLive, standardized to oleocanthal and oleacein, marketed for joint health, heart health, and healthy aging applications.
- MycoThrive™ Lion's Mane Clinically studied Lion's Mane mushroom extract with cognitive performance benefits including focus, working memory, and mood improvements.
- MycoThrive™ Chaga Functional mushroom extract marketed as a potent antioxidant supporting healthy aging and a balanced immune response.
- MycoThrive™ Cordyceps Functional mushroom extract providing stimulant-free energy, enhanced stamina, endurance, and healthy immune function.
- MycoThrive™ Reishi Functional mushroom extract positioned for relaxation and restoration applications.
- MycoThrive™ Shiitake Functional mushroom extract positioned for heart health applications.
- MycoThrive™ Maitake Functional mushroom extract positioned for cellular health applications.
- PurHP-75™ Organic hemp seed protein derived from dehulled hemp hearts, delivering 75% protein with 6% fiber, neutral flavor, smooth texture, and white color for plant-based meat, dairy, baked goods, and extruded snacks.
- V-70 Hemp Seed Protein Hemp seed protein ingredient targeted at meat analogue applications, offering emulsification and gelling properties for juicier, more authentic meat mouthfeel.
Quantifiable outcome
- CelluThrive™ D-Glucarate demonstrated a 56% drop in estradiol levels compared to placebo in a perimenopausal women clinical study
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Applied Food Sciences, Inc.
Customer profileNamed customers19 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Applied Food Sciences, Inc. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Applied Food Sciences, Inc. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- OleoLive, Inc.coreCo-developed "Oligen," an olive extract ingredient standardized to oleocanthal and oleacein, marketed as a supplement supporting joint health, heart health, and healthy aging; designed for use across food, beverage, and supplement applications.
- Dempsey CorporationcoreAFS announced a strategic distribution partnership with Dempsey Corporation to accelerate the availability of AFS functional ingredients — including organic caffeine and mushroom extracts — across Canadian food, beverage, and supplement sectors. Marks a deliberate regional expansion move into Canada.
- KÄÄPÄ BiotechflagshipAFS and KÄÄPÄ Biotech expanded their strategic partnership with the opening of a new state-of-the-art mushroom cultivation facility in Finland, in response to growing global demand for premium functional mushrooms that supply MycoThrive™ ingredients.
- University of Memphis College of Health SciencescoreFirst-of-its-kind gaming study partnership to evaluate AmaTea® Max's effect on mood, cognitive measures, and gaming performance, including reaction time, jitters, sustained energy, kills/scores, and cognitive performance across six hours of gameplay.
- University of Iowa BioVentures CenterflagshipAFS opened a Midwest-based Innovation Center at the University of Iowa's BioVentures Center in Iowa City in January 2017, dedicating it to plant-based ingredient innovation and housing R&D Food Technologist roles.
- United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA)minorAFS is an Executive Member of UNPA, a network of leaders dedicated to the safety and reliability of natural products, keeping AFS at the forefront of global regulatory standards.
- American Botanical Council (ABC)minorAFS supports the American Botanical Council to advance the science behind herbal ingredients, with portfolio backed by accurate clinical data and historical transparency.
- Sustainable Herbs ProgramcoreAFS maintains a Sustainable Sourcing Initiative with partner farms via the Sustainable Herbs Program, supporting ethical and environmentally responsible sourcing of botanicals for over 20 years.
- Dave Asprey / The Human Upgrade PodcastcoreAFS is a proud sponsor of Dave Asprey's The Human Upgrade podcast, with a dedicated episode covering guayusa and AmaTea® Max's nootropic benefits for mood, focus, cognitive performance, and biohacking.
- MintelcoreAFS co-hosts Innovation Retreats with Mintel (Lynn Dornblaser, Director of Innovation & Insight) to analyze energy drink market trends and consumer behavior; partnership also includes Mintel-led consumer research on nootropics and clean-label energy.
- New Hope Natural Media / NEXT AcceleratorminorAFS partners with Eric Pierce, Director of Strategy and Insights at New Hope Natural Media's NEXT Accelerator group, on Clean Label Ingredient trend research and co-hosted Innovation Retreats.
- Greenberg Traurig, LLPminorGreenberg Traurig (Justin Prochnow, Shareholder) serves as part of AFS' legal counsel, participating in closed-door Innovation Retreats to address evolving energy drink regulations.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Applied Food Sciences, Inc. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sabinsa: Sabinsa is a leading manufacturer of patented, clinically validated botanical extracts and specialty ingredients for the dietary supplement, food, and cosmetic industries. Like AFS, it builds moats around proprietary extraction processes, GRAS affirmations, trademarks, and a globally diversified ingredient portfolio sold B2B to manufacturers.
- Nexira: Nexira is a French supplier of natural botanical ingredients (including caffeine, plant proteins, and superfruit extracts) to the food, beverage, and nutraceutical industries. It is directly comparable to AFS in its B2B specialty botanical extract business, clean-label positioning, and international sourcing footprint.
- Martin Bauer Group: Martin Bauer is one of the world's largest suppliers of botanical extracts, tea, and plant-based ingredients to beverage and supplement manufacturers. AFS competes directly with Martin Bauer's ingredient portfolio (especially in tea extracts, ginseng, and guayusa-adjacent botanicals) on global B2B accounts.
- PLT Health Solutions: PLT Health Solutions is a US-based supplier of proprietary branded botanical and nutritional ingredients (including caffeine, mushroom extracts, and nootropics) to supplement and beverage manufacturers. PLT is a direct peer to AFS in the branded specialty ingredient model with a similar emphasis on clinical evidence and B2B manufacturer customers.
- FutureCeuticals: FutureCeuticals is a US developer and supplier of branded, clinically validated botanical and fruit-based ingredients for the supplement and functional food industry. It is directly comparable to AFS as a mid-sized specialty ingredient supplier with proprietary branded SKUs, clinical research, and direct-to-manufacturer distribution.
- Nektium Pharma: Nektium Pharma is a specialty natural ingredient company developing proprietary botanical extracts (including nootropic and adaptogenic ingredients such as Zynamite®) for the nutraceutical and functional beverage industry. It is a direct competitor to AFS in nootropic caffeine-adjacent ingredients for the energy and sports nutrition markets.
Broad incumbents
- Givaudan: Givaudan is the global leader in flavors, fragrances, and natural ingredients, with a significant botanical extract portfolio serving food, beverage, and nutrition customers. As a broad incumbent, Givaudan overlaps with AFS in clean-label botanical extracts but competes as part of a much larger integrated portfolio rather than as a specialty pure-play.
- International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF): IFF (including the merged Frutarom business) is a global ingredients giant serving food, beverage, and nutraceutical manufacturers with flavors, plant proteins, and functional ingredients. IFF competes with AFS across multiple ingredient categories (caffeine, mushroom extracts, protein) but as a broad incumbent rather than a specialty botanical supplier.
- Kemin Industries: Kemin is a privately held ingredient manufacturer specializing in plant-based ingredients for human and animal nutrition, including rosemary, spearmint, and other botanical extracts. Kemin overlaps with AFS in clean-label specialty ingredients and shares a similar privately-held, science-led positioning.
- Glanbia Nutritionals: Glanbia Nutritionals is a major ingredient supplier specializing in proteins, prebiotics, and functional ingredients for the food, beverage, and supplement industries. Glanbia overlaps with AFS in plant-based protein (hemp/pea) and functional ingredients and competes for the same enterprise CPG accounts.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Applied Food Sciences, Inc. social profiles
Digital presenceApplied Food Sciences, Inc. compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance10 records
Applied Food Sciences, Inc. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Applied Food Sciences, Inc. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Applied Food Sciences, Inc. subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Applied Food Sciences, Inc. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Applied Food Sciences, Inc. 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 Applied Food Sciences, Inc.
What does Applied Food Sciences, Inc. do?
Applied Food Sciences, Inc. (AFS) is a privately held bulk ingredient supplier that manufactures and sells proprietary, branded specialty botanical extracts — including organic green coffee caffeine (PurCaf®), patented guayusa extracts (AmaTea® Max), green tea caffeine (PurTea®), functional mushroom extracts (MycoThrive™), D-Glucarate (CelluThrive™), and hemp seed protein (PurHP-75™) — exclusively to qualified commercial food, beverage, and supplement manufacturers worldwide. The portfolio is organized into branded sub-product lines spanning Energy + Focus, Functional Flavor, Nutritional Actives, Ingredient Technology, Functional Mushrooms, and plant proteins.
Is Applied Food Sciences, Inc. a public or private company?
Applied Food Sciences, Inc. is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Applied Food Sciences, Inc. founded?
Applied Food Sciences, Inc. was founded in 2003. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Applied Food Sciences, Inc. based?
Applied Food Sciences, Inc. is headquartered in Austin, United States, in the North America region.
How does Applied Food Sciences, Inc. make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Bulk Ingredient Sales are the primary driver. The others are licensing & Royalty Income and indirect Consumer Sales (via Infused Brands).
Who are Applied Food Sciences, Inc.'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sabinsa, Nexira, Martin Bauer Group, PLT Health Solutions, FutureCeuticals and Nektium Pharma. Broad incumbents are Givaudan, International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), Kemin Industries and Glanbia Nutritionals.
Does Applied Food Sciences, Inc. have an API?
No public API is recorded for Applied Food Sciences, Inc..
What industry is Applied Food Sciences, Inc. in?
Applied Food Sciences, Inc.'s product category is Specialty Botanical Ingredients. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADAOAO, Ingredient Blends & Systems / Custom Formulation (Seasoning Systems, Functional Blends). Its NAICS code is 3114 and its SIC code is 2090.