Meeting global food needs with biotech innovation
With the global population expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, the world urgently needs nutritious and sustainable food solutions. Biotech startup Eclipse Ingredients is tackling this challenge head-on.
Dietitian-turned-entrepreneur Siobhan Coster founded Eclipse Ingredients during her MBA, partnering with CSIRO researchers and commercialisation experts as well as leveraging programs like the Venture Exchange Program to bring precision fermentation to market.
Precision fermentation is essentially brewing proteins like beer to unlock one of nature's smartest molecules for everyday use. "We're harnessing new frontiers in fermentation science to access previously untapped compounds," explained Siobhan. "By engineering microorganisms such as yeast, we can produce nature's most powerful proteins and nutrients (or ingredients) that are difficult or impossible to source using traditional methods."
Eclipse's flagship product focuses on producing human lactoferrin at scale. Human lactoferrin is a rare, multifunctional protein found in breast milk and immune cells, now producible through precision fermentation. While the main commercially available source is bovine lactoferrin (from cow's milk), this biotech breakthrough creates the human version, which is uniquely suited to our biology. It boosts immunity, balances iron, supports gut health, and calms inflammation for clearer skin - quite the powerhouse protein.
But like many science-driven ventures, Siobhan Coster has been navigating the challenges of market entry, funding, and regulatory pathways. That's where the CSIRO Venture Exchange Program (VEP) came in.
How the Venture Exchange Program (VEP) accelerated Eclipse Ingredients’ market strategy
In 2024, Siobhan joined the VEP's Future Foods cohort, an Australia-Singapore initiative designed to help agrifood startups accelerate growth, validate markets, and build valuable connections across the Asia-Pacific region.
Siobhan has been selective about the programs she’s joined, focusing only on the most relevant and impactful opportunities to support Eclipse’s growth. The Venture Exchange Program was one of just two she selected.
"Time is important and I don't have much of it. So for me, the VEP offered a lot of value in terms of its multifaceted approach," Siobhan said.
The program combined tailored mentoring, peer learning, and an immersive visit to Singapore, offering access to investors and industry leaders, as well as regulators, experienced founders, and mentors who influenced Eclipse’s go-to-market strategy.
With its strong investment in food innovation and progressive regulatory framework for novel ingredients, Singapore provided the ideal environment for Eclipse to engage with investors and industry partners.
"Singapore is a really strategic and important market," explained Siobhan.
"It's a great place to test new products and technologies like precision fermentation."
The impact of VEP on Eclipse Ingredients’ seed funding and partnerships
The program aligned with Eclipse’s AUD $4.2 million seed round and market validation efforts. VEP connected the team with an APAC infant formula company that confirmed demand and helped paved the way for Eclipse to secure their lead investor. It also enabled customer discovery in personal care, the company’s first planned commercial launch sector.
"I just can't stress enough the value you get from being on the ground in the market where you're looking to launch your product, because there's things that you learn from being there in person that you just can't from desktop research," said Coster.
Australia-Singapore Partnership: advancing shared innovation priorities through the Venture Exchange Program
The VEP reflects a broader strategic alliance between Australia and Singapore, united by shared goals in food security, sustainability and innovation.
With Singapore’s 30 by 30 vision (producing 30% of its nutritional needs locally by 2030), and Australia’s deep research and agrifood capability, the two nations are co-developing a future-ready food ecosystem.
"The relationship between Australia and Singapore is extremely special. Programs like VEP help startups like ours leverage that in a meaningful way" said Siobhan.
Looking ahead: Eclipse Ingredients’ funding milestones and commercial launch plans
Eclipse has raised over $7 million to date and is on track for a 2027 commercial launch, starting with skincare and later expanding into other categories.
"We've worked hard to build Eclipse with clear intention and reaching this milestone makes me incredibly proud. Every partnership, every hire, every decision we make is strategically designed to put us in the strongest possible position for commercial success and I can't wait for what's ahead," said Coster.
Her advice to other founders looking to tap into Singapore’s launchpad for growth?
"Just apply! Get out there and take advantage of this amazing opportunity."
About the CSIRO Venture Exchange Program (VEP): connecting Australian and Singaporean start-ups
The Venture Exchange Program (VEP) is a bilateral initiative supporting Australian and Singaporean startups across priority sectors.
It includes:
- A 3-month program with mentoring, coaching and workshops
- market immersion visits to Australia and Singapore
- access to a trusted network of regulators, investors and industry leaders
- research collaboration and exposure to global innovation ecosystems
Learn more about our ASEAN innovation initiatives.
Meeting global food needs with biotech innovation
With the global population expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, the world urgently needs nutritious and sustainable food solutions. Biotech startup Eclipse Ingredients is tackling this challenge head-on.
Dietitian-turned-entrepreneur Siobhan Coster founded Eclipse Ingredients during her MBA, partnering with CSIRO researchers and commercialisation experts as well as leveraging programs like the Venture Exchange Program to bring precision fermentation to market.
Precision fermentation is essentially brewing proteins like beer to unlock one of nature's smartest molecules for everyday use. "We're harnessing new frontiers in fermentation science to access previously untapped compounds," explained Siobhan. "By engineering microorganisms such as yeast, we can produce nature's most powerful proteins and nutrients (or ingredients) that are difficult or impossible to source using traditional methods."
Eclipse's flagship product focuses on producing human lactoferrin at scale. Human lactoferrin is a rare, multifunctional protein found in breast milk and immune cells, now producible through precision fermentation. While the main commercially available source is bovine lactoferrin (from cow's milk), this biotech breakthrough creates the human version, which is uniquely suited to our biology. It boosts immunity, balances iron, supports gut health, and calms inflammation for clearer skin - quite the powerhouse protein.
But like many science-driven ventures, Siobhan Coster has been navigating the challenges of market entry, funding, and regulatory pathways. That's where the CSIRO Venture Exchange Program (VEP) came in.
How the Venture Exchange Program (VEP) accelerated Eclipse Ingredients’ market strategy
In 2024, Siobhan joined the VEP's Future Foods cohort, an Australia-Singapore initiative designed to help agrifood startups accelerate growth, validate markets, and build valuable connections across the Asia-Pacific region.
Siobhan has been selective about the programs she’s joined, focusing only on the most relevant and impactful opportunities to support Eclipse’s growth. The Venture Exchange Program was one of just two she selected.
"Time is important and I don't have much of it. So for me, the VEP offered a lot of value in terms of its multifaceted approach," Siobhan said.
The program combined tailored mentoring, peer learning, and an immersive visit to Singapore, offering access to investors and industry leaders, as well as regulators, experienced founders, and mentors who influenced Eclipse’s go-to-market strategy.
With its strong investment in food innovation and progressive regulatory framework for novel ingredients, Singapore provided the ideal environment for Eclipse to engage with investors and industry partners.
"Singapore is a really strategic and important market," explained Siobhan.
"It's a great place to test new products and technologies like precision fermentation."
The impact of VEP on Eclipse Ingredients’ seed funding and partnerships
The program aligned with Eclipse’s AUD $4.2 million seed round and market validation efforts. VEP connected the team with an APAC infant formula company that confirmed demand and helped paved the way for Eclipse to secure their lead investor. It also enabled customer discovery in personal care, the company’s first planned commercial launch sector.
"I just can't stress enough the value you get from being on the ground in the market where you're looking to launch your product, because there's things that you learn from being there in person that you just can't from desktop research," said Coster.
Australia-Singapore Partnership: advancing shared innovation priorities through the Venture Exchange Program
The VEP reflects a broader strategic alliance between Australia and Singapore, united by shared goals in food security, sustainability and innovation.
With Singapore’s 30 by 30 vision (producing 30% of its nutritional needs locally by 2030), and Australia’s deep research and agrifood capability, the two nations are co-developing a future-ready food ecosystem.
"The relationship between Australia and Singapore is extremely special. Programs like VEP help startups like ours leverage that in a meaningful way" said Siobhan.
Looking ahead: Eclipse Ingredients’ funding milestones and commercial launch plans
Eclipse has raised over $7 million to date and is on track for a 2027 commercial launch, starting with skincare and later expanding into other categories.
"We've worked hard to build Eclipse with clear intention and reaching this milestone makes me incredibly proud. Every partnership, every hire, every decision we make is strategically designed to put us in the strongest possible position for commercial success and I can't wait for what's ahead," said Coster.
Her advice to other founders looking to tap into Singapore’s launchpad for growth?
"Just apply! Get out there and take advantage of this amazing opportunity."
About the CSIRO Venture Exchange Program (VEP): connecting Australian and Singaporean start-ups
The Venture Exchange Program (VEP) is a bilateral initiative supporting Australian and Singaporean startups across priority sectors.
It includes:
- A 3-month program with mentoring, coaching and workshops
- market immersion visits to Australia and Singapore
- access to a trusted network of regulators, investors and industry leaders
- research collaboration and exposure to global innovation ecosystems
Learn more about our ASEAN innovation initiatives.