PumpKin
PumpKin develops science-backed products to preserve pumped breast milk during storage, using a proprietary three-ingredient food-grade formula validated by peer-reviewed research. The Princeton-based company, founded in 2023, serves pumping mothers, partners, and breast milk researchers via a free iOS tracker, test strips, and an upcoming preservation formula.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersPrinceton, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What PumpKin does
PumpKin is a US-based, pre-commercial consumer health and biotech company developing science-backed solutions to preserve pumped breast milk during storage. Founded in 2023 in Princeton and operating with 1-10 employees, the company was born from co-founder Dr. Justin Silpe's research in Dr. Bonnie Bassler's Princeton laboratory, where high-throughput screening of 2,750 infant-safe food compounds identified a proprietary three-ingredient combination that delays fat breakdown and oxidation (rancidity) in refrigerated and frozen breast milk. The company's approach has been validated through peer-reviewed publications in Foods (June 2025), Breastfeeding Medicine (November 2025), Frontiers in Nutrition (March 2026), and The Lancet (May 2026).
The product portfolio centers on the free PumpKin Milk Tracker iOS app for tracking pumped milk storage and outcomes, colorimetric Breast Milk Test Strips that measure lipase activity for researchers, and the upcoming Breast Milk Preservation Formula targeting the primary consumer pain point that 75% of pumping mothers report throwing away some stored breast milk. The go-to-market combines a freemium consumer app with planned physical product sales, supplemented by a community-led research model that collects data from pumping parents and donated freezer stashes in New Jersey. Institutional research funding partners include NSF, NIH, USDA, Activate, and Princeton University, alongside a $75,000 grant from the NJ Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology in March 2025.
Customer segments span primary pumping mothers returning to work or sharing feeding duties, secondary partners and caregivers coordinating feeds, and a tertiary segment of academic and clinical breast milk researchers. The company is privately held with no disclosed equity funding rounds beyond the small CSIT grant and has not yet disclosed revenue, ARR, or commercial pricing for its preservation or test strip products.
PumpKin firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PumpKin
- Legal name
- PumpKin
- Website
- https://pumpforourkin.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- PumpKin develops science-backed products to preserve pumped breast milk during storage, using a proprietary three-ingredient food-grade formula validated by peer-reviewed research. The Princeton-based company, founded in 2023, serves pumping mothers, partners, and breast milk researchers via a free iOS tracker, test strips, and an upcoming preservation formula.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PumpKin industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Breast Milk Storage Solutions
- NAICS
- Dairy Product Manufacturing (3115), Dry, Condensed, and Evaporated Dairy Product Manufacturing (311514)
- SIC
- Dairy Products (2020)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Infant Formula & Specialized Dairy Nutrition Manufacturing (AFAKAKAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Human Milk Fortifier (HMF) Manufacturing (Bovine-Derived) (AFAHAHAI), Standard Infant Formula Manufacturing (Cow Milk–Based) (AFAHAHAA)
Keywords
Where PumpKin is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Princeton
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
PumpKin business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Mobile App Distribution: The PumpKin Milk Tracker app is free to download, suggesting a freemium model where basic features are free and premium features may be paid. The app currently serves as a customer acquisition and engagement channel.
- Breast Milk Preservation Products: PumpKin is developing science-backed products (preservation formula) to help moms keep breast milk fresh longer. These products will likely be sold as physical goods, potentially in the form of additives or storage solutions for breast milk.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free app download with core tracking features |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
PumpKin product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PumpKin develops science-backed solutions to preserve the nutritional value of pumped breast milk during fridge and freezer storage. Its core innovation is a proprietary combination of three infant-safe, natural food ingredients that delay fat breakdown and prevent oxidation (rancidity), discovered through high-throughput screening of 2,750 food-based compounds. The company also offers a free mobile app for tracking pumped milk and a research tool for measuring lipase activity in stored breast milk.
Product overview
PumpKin is developing a product portfolio centered on breast milk science and preservation. The core offerings include the PumpKin App (a mobile milk tracking application), Breast Milk Test Strips (rapid testing for lipase activity and fat breakdown), and an upcoming Breast Milk Preservation Formula (a proprietary 3-ingredient solution to prevent rancidity during storage). These products work together to help pumping parents track, understand, and preserve their breast milk from expression through feeding.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- PumpKin Milk Tracker App
Quantifiable outcome
- 75% of moms report having to throw away some stored breast milk
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use PumpKin
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
PumpKin technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
PumpKin partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Princeton UniversitycoreBonnie Bassler's Princeton laboratory served as the research foundation for PumpKin. Dr. Bassler, HHMI Investigator and Squibb Professor in Molecular Biology, is Co-Founder and Scientific Advisory Board Chair. Justin Silpe conducted breast milk research in her lab using bacterial cell-cell communication techniques.
- Dr. Meghan AzadminorDr. Meghan Azad, Professor of Pediatrics and Child Health at the University of Manitoba, is listed as a scientific collaborator. She is part of PumpKin's assembled trusted advisors and collaborators at the forefront of their fields for human milk research.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
PumpKin competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
PumpKin social profiles
Digital presencePumpKin financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PumpKin leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
PumpKin funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PumpKin 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 PumpKin
What does PumpKin do?
PumpKin develops science-backed solutions to preserve the nutritional value of pumped breast milk during fridge and freezer storage. Its core innovation is a proprietary combination of three infant-safe, natural food ingredients that delay fat breakdown and prevent oxidation (rancidity), discovered through high-throughput screening of 2,750 food-based compounds. The company also offers a free mobile app for tracking pumped milk and a research tool for measuring lipase activity in stored breast milk.
Is PumpKin a public or private company?
PumpKin is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was PumpKin founded?
PumpKin was founded in 2023. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is PumpKin based?
PumpKin is headquartered in Princeton, United States, in the North America region.
How does PumpKin make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Mobile App Distribution is the primary driver. The others are breast Milk Preservation Products.
Does PumpKin have an API?
No public API is recorded for PumpKin.
What industry is PumpKin in?
PumpKin's product category is Breast Milk Storage Solutions. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAKAKAJ, Infant Formula & Specialized Dairy Nutrition Manufacturing, with a secondary code of AFAHAHAI, Human Milk Fortifier (HMF) Manufacturing (Bovine-Derived). Its NAICS code is 3115 and its SIC code is 2020.