# Calyx

> Calyx (formerly BioInspira) is a Berkeley-based agtech company that combines AI-powered computer vision with proprietary phage-based biosensors to help poultry farmers monitor flock weight, environmental conditions, and gas levels in real time. Founded in 2014 by UC Berkeley bioengineering alumni, the company's platform integrates overhead cameras, multi-gas sensors, and cloud analytics to give broiler producers continuous, data-driven visibility into flock health and harvest timing — with 98.4% accuracy in predicting chicken weight across more than 17 million validated birds.

- **Founded:** 2014
- **Headquarters:** Berkeley, California, United States
- **Founders:** Po-Jui (Ray) Chiu (CEO & Co-Founder), Benson Fan (Co-Founder), Jimmy Leu (Co-Founder), Don Wang (Co-Founder), Patrick Lyon (Co-Founder)
- **Team size:** ~51 employees (Berkeley HQ + Taipei engineering center)
- **Products:** AI Eye Chicken Camera, Y-Series Sensor System, Calyx Connect Platform, Aroma Analyzer, Custom Sensor Solutions
- **Notable:** Forbes 30 Under 30 in Energy for CEO Ray Chiu, Won first place in UC Berkeley Big Ideas Contest ('Innovation Technologies for Society' category), 98.4% accuracy in predicting chicken weight and distribution

## Products & services

- **AI Eye Chicken Camera** — Overhead computer vision system that continuously monitors flock weight and weight distribution without manual weighing — using still image capture, edge processing, and patented ceiling-mount installation designed for dusty, low-light barn environments.
- **Y-Series Sensor System** — Multi-gas environmental sensor platform measuring ammonia, CO2, temperature, humidity, and wind speed using proprietary phage-based physisorption technology — reusable for thousands of cycles and heat-resistant to 110°C.
- **Calyx Connect Platform** — Cloud-based analytics dashboard delivering real-time flock monitoring, predictive harvest planning, sensor health diagnostics, multi-site management, and historical benchmarking via dashboard or API.
- **Aroma Analyzer** — Multi-gas detection instrument using an AI-powered aroma library to distinguish complex volatile organic compound (VOC) profiles across food & beverage, cosmetics, manufacturing, and safety applications.
- **Custom Sensor Solutions** — Industry-specific phage-based sensor development for clients in oil & gas, aviation security, food production, and other sectors requiring high-sensitivity, customized gas detection.

## Achievements

- Forbes 30 Under 30 in Energy for CEO Ray Chiu
- Won first place in UC Berkeley Big Ideas Contest ('Innovation Technologies for Society' category)
- 98.4% accuracy in predicting chicken weight and distribution
- 17+ million birds validated on the platform
- 643 commercial flocks monitored
- 5 paid pilot programs with major industry players since 2018
- Phage-based sensors rated 500x more sensitive than conventional alternatives
- Sensors proven durable to 110°C heat and chemical exposure (acids, alkalis, solvents)
- Rebranded from BioInspira to Calyx in May 2019 upon commercial launch
- Ammonia monitoring deployments in European commercial poultry farms (2022-2023)
- Ranked 5th among 228 active competitors in gas sensing technology (Tracxn)

## Latest updates

- **2024-01** — Participated in IPPE 2024 in Atlanta (booth B42021), showcasing AI Eye and sensor platform to poultry industry
- **2023-05** — Completed multi-cycle ammonia sensor monitoring study in commercial poultry farm in northern Europe (September 2022 to May 2023)
- **2022** — Expanded platform validation to 17M+ birds across 643 flocks
- **2021-11** — Series A funding round noted; total raised reaches approximately $10.1M
- **2019-07** — Official commercial launch at Sensors Expo — unveiled Ammonia Measurement System, N100 Modules, and Aroma Analyzer after 5 years in stealth R&D

## Links

- Website: https://calyxtechs.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/calyxtechs
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/BioInspira
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmM4SOmI_ow
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bioinspiraInc/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/calyx
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-19