NC State Startup Mimikai Launches DEET-Free Insect Repellent
Mimikai’s new, EPA-approved repellent was developed based on innovative research from NC State that leverages the natural power of wild tomato plants to repel insects.
Mimikai, a California-based startup company backed by venture funding, recently announced the launch of its first line of DEET-free insect and tick repellent that utilize natural ingredients for effective bite protection.
The company’s groundbreaking product was developed based on an innovation licensed from North Carolina State University. Michael Roe, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, utilized the unique ability of the wild tomato plant to naturally repel insects to develop a compound for use as an active ingredient in a natural repellent. This compound was able to effectively repel insects like mosquitoes and ticks without the use of chemicals such as DEET, the active ingredient in most insect repellent products.
Work throughout Roe’s career has led to the formation of four research-based startup companies launched to transition scientific research discoveries into real-world solutions. These include insecticide-free innovations ranging from bite-resistant textile garments to mosquito bed nets used to combat diseases such as malaria.
Founded in 2017, Mimikai licensed Roe’s compound from NC State to support the development of an all-natural insect and tick repellent. Unlike traditional brands marketed towards outdoorsmen, Mimikai focuses on consumers seeking a DEET-free solution, such as women and children.
Mimikai received early-stage funding support from NC State’s Daugherty Endowment, and was also able to leverage the university’s Wolfpack Investor Network (WIN) – a network of accredited alumni angel investors – to secure investment funding that supported regulatory approval and production of the product. The company has raised over $5.5 million in funding since its inception.
In 2023, the company received approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its innovative repellent. This marked the first time in 25 years that a product with a new active ingredient was approved by the EPA, a key milestone in transitioning this NC State innovation to market. Mimikai’s product line launched in May and is available through the Mimikai website and Amazon.
To learn more about Mimikai and how its products fight nature with nature, visit https://mimikai.com.
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