The startup transforming plants into compounds arrives in Tokyo

The XiA’H bioplatform originated from the desire to study the properties of plants and identify how these resources can be used.

XiA’H is a startup developed by students from the Monterrey campus that specializes in transforming plants into functional compounds with industrial applications. 

“We’re a biotech startup that transforms plants into active compounds through a biotechnological process that involves extracting molecules with different applications.

“These can range from compounds with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties to profiles used in functional products, such as calming gummies”, explained Daniela Cabral, CEO and founder of XiA’H.

The bioplatform recently represented Venture Café Monterrey at Pitch2Tokyo, which is part of the Venture Café Global Gathering Tokyo 2026.

“We take local plant traditions and knowledge, validate them with scientific research, and transform them into compounds”, shared Cabral, who is a medical student with bioscience training.

Pitch2Tokyo was held on February 16 in Japan, featuring approximately 17 startups from various Venture Café locations across the globe. 

This international innovation event included networking activities and events with corporations and institutes in Tokyo.

Venture Café is a global non-profit organization focused on driving local innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems.

“We’re a biotech startup that transforms plants into active compounds through a biotechnological process".

Transforming the business model  

XiA’H, which emerged four years ago, is made up of a team of five people trained in bioscience and business development. Its co-founders are sisters Daniela and Fernanda Cabral.

They focus on working with plants like passionflower or chamomile, as well as agricultural waste such as agave. However, the scope is broader.

“Strictly speaking, we can process any plant matter”, said the student.

During its development, XiA’H went through a key transformation process. It began as a Business to Consumer (B2C) startup creating end products such as functional chewing gum.

“We recognized that our strength lay in the science behind the active ingredient.

So, we migrated from selling to the end consumer to selling to other companies”, Daniela explained.

The startup is currently operating under a Business to Business (B2B) model, collaborating with other companies to integrate these compounds into new developments.

“We decided to stop creating products to focus on the technology; that’s where our strength lies”, she emphasized.

“We hope to be able to migrate our laboratory to the Tec Innovation Hub, where science-based startups will be concentrated”.

Participating in the global selection process

The Pitch2Tokyo selection process was conducted through the Venture Café Global Institute in coordination with Venture Café Monterrey.

This process brought together startups from various ecosystems to present their projects in a regional round.

“In the first stage, we applied to be considered for the program. We later participated in a final pitch in Monterrey”, she said.

In the Monterrey regional round, six finalist startups were chosen, of which XiA’H was the only one selected to represent the local ecosystem in Tokyo.

“Being part of this experience was massive validation because we realized that focusing on what we do well was key”, she said.

Daniela Cabral shared that, in the short term, XiA’H aims to scale its technology and expand its impact on the food and agricultural industry; in the medium term, they envision collaborations with the pharmaceutical industry.

“We hope to be able to migrate our laboratory to the new building, the Tec Innovation Hub, where science-based startups will be concentrated”, she said.

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