1st Course Capital

Free From Market provides inclusive access to personalized, nutritious groceries and educational resources for those living with chronic health conditions.

Farmshelf Corp. is a Brooklyn-based company founded in 2015 that specializes in designing and managing modular urban farms. The company offers an automated indoor farming solution that allows customers, including homes and restaurants, to grow a variety of fruits and vegetables. Farmshelf's compact, bookcase-sized farms can produce significant amounts of fresh produce weekly, growing food three times faster than traditional farming methods while using 90 percent less water. The hydroponic system automatically manages watering and nutrient delivery, providing analytics on plant growth to enhance efficiency. This innovative approach aims to reduce packaging, pesticides, and food waste, enabling users to cultivate fresh produce right where they live or work.

PathWater is a company dedicated to providing sustainable bottled water through its innovative product, the first purified water offered in a refillable bottle. This initiative aims to combat the environmental issues associated with single-use plastic bottled water. As consumer demand for eco-friendly and reusable packaging options increases, PathWater is at the forefront of a movement to promote more sustainable choices in the bottled water industry.

Maev, Inc. is a New York-based company focused on dog wellness through the provision of nutrition-rich food and supplements. Founded in 2018, Maev manufactures a variety of products, including raw food bowls, vitamin-enriched bars, and bone broth, all made from ingredients approved for human consumption. The company emphasizes a tailored approach to pet nutrition, offering diet consultancy services that consider factors such as breed, age, weight, activity level, and lifestyle. Maev operates primarily through an online platform, providing a daily bowl subscription model to help dog owners ensure their pets receive holistic nutrition. This approach aims to fill dietary gaps for urban dogs while fostering a supportive community in New York City.

Free From Market provides inclusive access to personalized, nutritious groceries and educational resources for those living with chronic health conditions.

BlueCart, Inc. is a free ordering platform designed to connect restaurants with suppliers, streamlining the wholesale procurement process. The company provides an operations management and inventory ordering service, enabling restaurants to efficiently consolidate and track their inventory orders while allowing suppliers to receive orders, market their products, and manage incoming requests through BlueCart’s website. Key features of the platform include real-time messaging between sales representatives and restaurants, customizable price sheets, and an ordering interface that fosters relationships between buyers and suppliers. BlueCart's solutions are accessible via both web and mobile applications, available on Android and iOS. Founded in 2014 and based in Washington, D.C., BlueCart was previously known as Improvonia, Inc. before rebranding in October 2015.

Gooder Foods is a manufacturer of processed food products. The company offers veggie-boosted, protein-packed, mac and cheese, helping customers have healthy options in packaged food products.

Plant Provisions is a producer of plant-based deli meats that aims to provide a healthy alternative to traditional deli products. The company specializes in creating deli slices using traditional aging and fermentation methods, which enhance the flavor of their offerings. Their products are designed to be gluten and soy-free and do not contain gums, making them suitable for a variety of dietary preferences. By focusing on these attributes, Plant Provisions caters to health-conscious consumers seeking flavorful and nutritious options in the deli meat category.

Whipnotic is a producer of innovative swirled whipped cream designed to offer consumers a healthier alternative to traditional whipped toppings. Launched in 2022, the company focuses on using clean, low-sugar ingredients and natural colors and flavors, making its products suitable for a range of dietary preferences, including keto and gluten-free options. By prioritizing natural ingredients and unique flavor combinations, Whipnotic aims to enhance the culinary experience while promoting healthier eating habits. The brand's patent-approved packaging innovation allows for a distinctive presentation of its whipped cream, ensuring that each serving delivers swirls of fresh flavor and color.

Gooder Foods is a manufacturer of processed food products. The company offers veggie-boosted, protein-packed, mac and cheese, helping customers have healthy options in packaged food products.

Lumen is a California-based company founded in 2019 that specializes in producing and distributing beverages made from hemp and cannabis. The company's product lineup includes various wellness-focused drinks, such as sampler, immune, bright brain, gut well, and calm, which aim to promote health and well-being among consumers. Lumen's offerings reflect a growing interest in alternative wellness solutions derived from cannabis and hemp ingredients.

Dispatch Goods Inc. is a San Francisco-based company that manufactures reusable steel containers and boxes aimed at transforming the food delivery ecosystem. Founded in 2018, the company focuses on eliminating single-use packaging by providing reusable solutions for restaurants and food trucks. Its proprietary reverse logistics platform supports the transition to a reuse model, allowing clients to collect and sanitize containers locally. This approach not only generates immediate cost savings for businesses but also significantly reduces their carbon footprint, positioning Dispatch Goods as a leader in the climate tech sector and a pioneer in the waste reduction industry.

OpenCity, Inc. is a company based in Worcester, Massachusetts, that specializes in developing communication solutions for the restaurant industry. Founded in 2016, OpenCity offers a chat manager application that facilitates texting, messaging, and multimedia communication between restaurants and their customers. The platform includes features that enable restaurants to manage bookings, collect feedback, and automate order taking at the drive-thru through a virtual assistant. This technology allows restaurant owners to enhance operational efficiency and improve customer interactions, ultimately driving additional revenue.

Kosterina specializes in producing premium Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil, known for its high levels of antioxidants and health benefits associated with the Mediterranean diet. The company focuses on cold-pressing early harvest olives to maximize natural polyphenol content, ensuring a superior quality oil. In addition to olive oil, Kosterina offers a selection of balsamic vinegars from Modena, Italy, available in various flavors such as original, fig, and dark chocolate. Alongside these products, Kosterina also provides dark chocolate bars, promoting healthy eating and a lifestyle that emphasizes well-being. Through its offerings, Kosterina seeks to educate consumers on the significance of nutritious food choices.

GlacierGrid is a venture-backed company that specializes in optimizing energy use strategies for businesses, focusing on energy savings, operational efficiency, and sustainability. The company employs Internet of Things (IoT) technology to facilitate real-time monitoring and analytics, enabling clients to refine their energy consumption practices. By utilizing wireless temperature and humidity sensors, GlacierGrid collects accurate data to minimize risks associated with data loss and inaccuracies, thereby reducing inventory waste. This approach allows business owners and managers to gain timely insights into equipment performance and energy usage, ultimately aiding in informed decision-making and enhancing operational effectiveness while lowering their carbon footprint.

UP TO GOOD produces a sparkling energy drink made from upcycled cascara, the fruit of the coffee berry. By utilizing coffee by-products, the company aims to reduce waste and water usage while offering a healthier alternative to traditional energy beverages. Each drink provides a clean caffeine boost equivalent to a double shot of espresso and is available in various flavors. This approach not only promotes sustainability but also allows consumers to enjoy a functional energy beverage that is both refreshing and environmentally conscious.

AgriDigital offers an integrated commodity management solution tailored for the global grains industry. The company provides a cloud-based platform that simplifies the supply chain from farmer to consumer, effectively managing contracts, deliveries, inventory, orders, invoices, and payments in real-time. By leveraging blockchain technology, AgriDigital enhances transaction security and efficiency, enabling real-time payments to growers and increasing flexibility for brokers and buyers. The platform addresses complex issues related to commodity management, logistics, and risk, while ensuring transparency throughout the supply chain. This innovative approach supports agricultural professionals in their efforts to streamline operations and improve overall efficiency in the industry.

Bobbie is a baby formula delivery startup that sells direct-to-consumer and offers a subscription service to parents across the US. It exists to build a parenting culture of confidence, not a comparison, where every parent is supported in the feeding choice that is right for them and their baby. Bobbie's formulation complies with all FDA regulations, is created with pasture-raised milk from Organic Valley farms, and is the only infant formula to receive the Clean Label Project's Purity Award as well as Pesticide Free Certification.