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 that designs and manages modular urban farms, specifically tailored for indoor environments. Founded in 2015, Farmshelf provides an automated hydroponic farming solution that allows users—whether at home or in restaurants—to grow a variety of fruits and vegetables in a compact, bookcase-sized unit. This innovative system is engineered to cultivate produce three times faster than traditional farming methods while utilizing 90 percent less water. The technology automatically manages watering and nutrient delivery, and it includes analytics to monitor plant growth, thereby reducing the need for packaging, pesticides, and food waste. Farmshelf aims to bring the benefits of fresh, locally grown food to urban settings, enhancing accessibility and sustainability in food production.

PATH is a company focused on creating sustainable bottled water solutions that address the environmental issues associated with single-use plastic. Its flagship product, the NEW HYBRID, is a refillable bottle containing purified water, designed to reduce the dependency on traditional single-use plastic bottles. PATH aims to lead a movement toward more environmentally friendly packaging options, responding to the increasing global consumer demand for sustainable and reusable choices in the bottled water market. By promoting a more responsible approach to hydration, PATH is committed to contributing to a reduction in plastic waste and fostering a culture of sustainability.

Maev, Inc. is a dog wellness company based in New York, established in 2018. The company specializes in manufacturing nutrition-rich foods and supplements for dogs, including raw food bowls, vitamin bars, and bone broth made from human-quality ingredients. Maev aims to address the dietary needs of dogs based on their breed, age, weight, activity level, and lifestyle by offering food diet consultancy services. Through an online platform, it provides a subscription model for its daily bowls, enabling dog owners to ensure their pets receive holistic nutrition. Maev is committed to promoting the well-being of urban dogs and fostering a supportive community for dog owners.

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 offers a healthy alternative to traditional deli products. The company specializes in making deli slices using traditional aging and fermentation methods, ensuring a rich and flavorful taste. Their products are gluten and soy-free, and they do not contain gums, catering to health-conscious consumers seeking nutritious options. By relying on time-honored techniques, Plant Provisions aims to deliver high-quality deli slices that maintain the authentic flavors associated with traditional deli meats.

Whipnotic is a producer of innovative swirled whipped cream, focusing on delivering food products made from clean, low sugar ingredients and natural coloring and flavoring. Established in 2022, the company aims to provide healthy food options that cater to various dietary preferences, including keto-friendly and gluten-free products. With a patented packaging innovation, Whipnotic enhances the consumer experience by offering distinct swirls of flavor and color in each bite. Their commitment to using natural cream ensures that customers receive a quality product that aligns with contemporary health trends.

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 offerings aimed at promoting wellness, such as sampler, immune, bright brain, gut well, and calm. By focusing on the health benefits of their ingredients, Lumen seeks to cater to consumers looking for restorative drink options.

Dispatch Goods Inc. is a San Francisco-based company established in 2018 that specializes in manufacturing reusable steel containers and boxes intended to replace disposable food ware in the food delivery ecosystem. By providing a proprietary reverse logistics platform, the company serves restaurants, food trucks, and meal delivery services, allowing them to transition from single-use packaging to a sustainable reuse model. This innovative approach not only generates immediate cost savings for clients but also significantly reduces their carbon footprint, contributing to a more environmentally friendly food service industry. Co-founded by Lindsey Hoell and Maia Tekle, Dispatch Goods aims to disrupt the waste industry and promote sustainable practices within the sector.

OpenCity, Inc. is a technology company based in Worcester, Massachusetts, founded in 2016. It specializes in developing a conversational AI platform tailored for the restaurant industry. The company's chat manager application provides a range of communication solutions, including texting, messaging, and multimedia interactions, enabling restaurants to communicate effectively with customers. The platform features a virtual assistant that automates order-taking at drive-thru windows and facilitates customer reservations. By streamlining these processes, OpenCity allows restaurant operators to concentrate on their core business while enhancing customer engagement and potentially increasing revenue through improved efficiency and accuracy.

Kosterina is a producer of premium Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil, emphasizing the health benefits associated with the Mediterranean diet. The company specializes in cold-pressed olive oil sourced from a single blend of early harvest olives, which maximizes its natural polyphenol content and antioxidant effects. In addition to olive oil, Kosterina offers a selection of balsamic vinegar, available in various flavors such as original, fig, and dark chocolate. Kosterina aims to educate consumers about the importance of healthy eating while providing high-quality products that promote a nutritious lifestyle.

GlacierGrid is a venture-backed company specializing in energy usage optimization for businesses, aiming to enhance energy savings, operational efficiency, and sustainability. The company employs advanced IoT technology to facilitate real-time monitoring and analytics of energy consumption and equipment performance. By utilizing wireless temperature and humidity sensors, GlacierGrid ensures accurate data collection, minimizing the risks associated with data inaccuracies and inventory waste. This approach enables clients to efficiently track their energy usage and make informed decisions about maintenance and operational improvements, ultimately supporting their goals of reducing carbon footprints.

UP TO GOOD is a producer of functional sparkling energy drinks that utilize upcycled cascara, the fruit of the coffee berry. By transforming coffee by-products into beverage offerings, the company aims to reduce waste and minimize water usage in its production processes. The drinks are designed to provide a positive lift through clean caffeine, equivalent to a double shot of espresso, and are available in a variety of flavors. This focus on sustainability and health allows consumers to enjoy a refreshing energy boost while contributing to environmental conservation.

AgriDigital is a provider of an integrated commodity management solution tailored for the global grains industry. The company develops a cloud-based, blockchain-enabled platform designed to simplify and secure the supply chain from farmers to consumers. Its software manages all aspects of agricultural transactions, including contracts, deliveries, inventory, orders, invoices, and payments, all in real-time. By leveraging advanced technologies such as distributed ledgers and smart contracts, AgriDigital facilitates immediate payments to growers, enhances operational efficiencies for brokers, and provides a flexible supply chain for buyers and financiers. Additionally, the platform ensures transparency from paddock to plate for consumers, addressing complex issues in commodity, logistical, risk, and customer management.

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.