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Biomine Health
Techstars '24London, GB · Founded 2022 · 4 employees on LinkedIn · 1 known investors
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Biomine Health is South Africa's microbiome testing and treatment company, providing personalized health insights based on microbiome analysis to help people understand and optimize their gut health. The company serves individuals seeking proactive health management through microbiome-based diagnostics and treatments.
Also known as Biomine
Founders & leadership
Biomine Health was founded in 2022 by Dr. Diego Castillo and Vaughn Barendsen.
Investors · 1
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Company profile
researched Sep 2026Biomine Health is a microbiome testing and treatment company that sells an at-home gut microbiome test and accompanying personalised health programme. Customers collect a stool sample using a lab-validated dry swab kit in under five minutes; the sample is sequenced in a laboratory and returned as a personalised report, stated as arriving in roughly three to four weeks, accessible through a secure online dashboard. Reports cover microbial diversity, dysbiosis and enterotype measures, a full list of detected microbes, and associations with chronic health issues such as skin health and inflammation, along with recommendations on nutrition and diet, lifestyle habits, probiotic strains and supplements.
Beyond the test itself, the company offers one-on-one consultations with microbiome specialists, coaching calls, dietitian-led meal planning, re-testing to track change over time, and a community membership. Supporting products include a free online gut profiler quiz described as grounded in research on South African gut microbiomes, and an e-cookbook of recipes built around South African foods. The company describes itself as South Africa's first microbiome testing and treatments company, founded by two scientists, with a stated long-term aim of extending from gut health to other aspects of the microbiome.
Founding story
Biomine Health was founded by two scientists around the premise that microbes influence broad aspects of human health, from digestion to mental health. Co-founder and CEO Vaughn Barendsen holds a degree in Human Genetics and an MSc in Psychology, with an interest in human enhancement and longevity, while co-founder Dr. Diego Castillo holds a PhD in Genetics specialising in microbiomics and has spent close to a decade studying how microorganisms affect planetary and human health.
Business model
Direct-to-consumer sale of microbiome test kits and bundled service packages, supplemented by paid expert consultations and digital products such as an e-cookbook.
Product and service sales priced in South African rand: a Gut Baseline Assessment (one test, personalised report and a specialist coaching call) at R4,650; a Biomine Programme (two tests, two reports, a microbiome specialist coaching call, a dietitian call with meal plan and 12 months of community access) at R9,850; 30-minute microbiome specialist consultations from R375; and an e-cookbook at R185.
Traction
Product range spans single-test assessments and a longer programme; the gut microbiome test is also stocked by South African retailer Faithful to Nature. A EuroQuity profile lists a headcount of 3-5.
Latest developments
The gut microbiome test became available through South African wellness retailer Faithful to Nature, in addition to direct online sales. The company also offers a free gut profiler quiz, standalone 30-minute microbiome specialist consultations and an e-cookbook of South African gut-health recipes.
▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market, geography, history, risks & controversies
Market position
Describes itself as South Africa's first microbiome testing and treatments company, emphasising insights grounded in research on South African gut microbiomes.
Positions its recommendations as tailored to the individual microbiome rather than generic protocols, pairs the test with human expert consultations and dietitian support, and grounds its quiz and food recommendations in South African dietary and microbiome context.
Technology
Samples are collected with a dry swab kit designed to preserve microbial DNA in transit. Microbial DNA is extracted and sequenced using 16S rRNA next-generation sequencing, then processed through bioinformatics analysis and machine-learning models to identify patterns linked to health and function, which are translated into a personalised report. Reported measures include microbial diversity, a dysbiosis index and enterotype classification, with the company citing peer-reviewed literature underpinning each.
Go-to-market
Sold online through the company's own website, with a free gut quiz and sample report used as entry points, and distributed through South African natural and wellness retailer Faithful to Nature.
Consumers seeking to understand and improve gut health, including people with digestive, skin, immunity or inflammation-related symptoms and those interested in longevity and preventive health; the test is positioned with age and clinical caveats addressed in the company's FAQ.
Geography
Registered in London, United Kingdom, with operations associated with both the United Kingdom and South Africa; the consumer offering is marketed to South African customers.
History
The company was established by co-founders Vaughn Barendsen and Dr. Diego Castillo and has grown to include scientific and engineering staff plus advisors. A profile on the EuroQuity platform records a creation date of 2023-04-28, a headcount band of 3-5, and describes a microbiome platform aimed at predicting pregnancy success probability for women undergoing assisted reproductive technology procedures, with the company at pre-seed stage. The consumer-facing business now centres on at-home gut microbiome testing, reporting and coaching.
Risks & controversies
The company states its test is not a diagnostic tool for medical conditions and addresses in its FAQ factors that can affect results, including recent antibiotic or probiotic use. A EuroQuity profile describes the company as at pre-seed stage having raised half of its round and seeking additional investors.
Compiled by commissioned research from 8 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Related companies · 6
Companies working in the same space as Biomine Health.
Timeline · 1
launches, deals, and filingsThe Biomine Gut Microbiome Test became available for purchase through Faithful to Nature, a South African natural and wellness retailer.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
▸Research sources · 8
primary sources listed
- Biomine Healthbiominehealth.com · web
8 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Biomine Health do?
- Biomine Health sells at-home gut microbiome tests and personalised nutrition and lifestyle plans in South Africa.
- Who founded Biomine Health?
- Biomine Health was founded by Dr. Diego Castillo, Vaughn Barendsen in 2022.
- Who are Biomine Health's investors?
- Biomine Health's investors include Techstars.
- Where is Biomine Health headquartered?
- Biomine Health is headquartered in London, GB.