Alumni Ventures Group

A co-pilot for modern food brands

Founded in 2022, Ingrediome specializes in producing natural, identical animal muscle proteins using precision fermentation from blue-green algae. This innovative process enables the creation of meat and seafood alternatives with minimal environmental impact.

Ummino is a company that specializes in precision fermentation technology aimed at the fortified food and beverage sectors. Founded in 2019 and based in Raleigh, North Carolina, Ummino has developed a method that allows clients to convert common ingredients into high-value functional foods. By unlocking rare compounds found in nature, the company's technology enhances both taste and nutritional value, providing innovative solutions for the food industry.

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.

Chef Robotics is a robotics and artificial intelligence company serving the food industry, founded in 2019 and headquartered in San Francisco. It develops AI-enabled robotic automation for food manufacturing, integrating modular hardware and adaptive software with computer vision to handle variability in food products, automate assembly processes, and optimize labor productivity. Its solutions aim to reduce waste, improve consistency, and address workforce shortages through intelligent automation.

Hyfé is a feedstock processing company that converts food waste and crop byproducts into feedstock for chemicals, materials, fuels, and foods using fungal fermentation. By upcycling waste generated in food manufacturing, Hyfé creates cost-competitive, sustainable alternative inputs that reduce reliance on petroleum and lower the carbon footprint across multiple industries.

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.

Chef Robotics is a robotics and artificial intelligence company serving the food industry, founded in 2019 and headquartered in San Francisco. It develops AI-enabled robotic automation for food manufacturing, integrating modular hardware and adaptive software with computer vision to handle variability in food products, automate assembly processes, and optimize labor productivity. Its solutions aim to reduce waste, improve consistency, and address workforce shortages through intelligent automation.

Chef Robotics is a robotics and artificial intelligence company serving the food industry, founded in 2019 and headquartered in San Francisco. It develops AI-enabled robotic automation for food manufacturing, integrating modular hardware and adaptive software with computer vision to handle variability in food products, automate assembly processes, and optimize labor productivity. Its solutions aim to reduce waste, improve consistency, and address workforce shortages through intelligent automation.

Picnic, founded in 2016 and based in Seattle, Washington, specializes in food production technology and robotics solutions for the food service and hospitality industries. Formerly known as Vivid Robotics Inc., the company has assembled a team of experienced professionals from both food and technology sectors. Picnic's flagship product, the Pizza Production System, represents a significant innovation in automated food preparation, enabling commercial kitchens to produce hundreds of custom pizzas per hour using chef-selected ingredients and recipes. The company's application facilitates seamless interactions and ordering processes for food companies, enhancing operational efficiency in the industry.

PathSpot Technologies, Inc., established in 2017 and headquartered in New York City, specializes in food safety solutions. The company develops and manufactures a unique system that uses a proprietary algorithm to analyze fluorescent light, enabling it to scan employees' hands and detect pathogens that cause food-borne illnesses. This technology helps restaurants and their customers mitigate the risk of food-borne illnesses by providing instant, invisible signs of harmful bacteria and viruses.

Arable Labs, Inc. specializes in developing a solar-powered Internet of Things (IoT) device equipped with advanced sensors for in-field crop monitoring. This technology allows farmers to digitize and optimize their agricultural decisions by providing critical data about the impact of weather and other factors on crop yield, quality, and harvest timing. Arable's integrated system combines unique spectral and thermal sensors with agronomic modeling and software tools, enabling users to monitor crop development and identify stressors such as water or nutrient deficiencies. The platform serves a diverse clientele, including farmers, agronomists, researchers, food processors, and agricultural enterprises, facilitating real-time insights and predictive analytics that enhance productivity and sustainability. Established in 2014, Arable is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with an additional office in Princeton, New Jersey. The company has received various accolades, highlighting its innovation in agricultural technology.

Mozza is a Los Angeles-based company founded in 2018 that specializes in the development of plant-based cheese products. The company aims to create cheese derived from plants that closely replicates the taste and texture of traditional dairy cheese. By utilizing bovine milk proteins, Mozza produces cheese that exhibits the same characteristics as its animal-derived counterparts, including melt, stretch, and flavor. This innovation provides consumers with a viable alternative to dairy cheese, catering to the growing demand for plant-based food options.

SCiFi Foods is a food technology company focused on developing a sustainable and ethical alternative to conventional meat through the production of cultivated meat. By combining lab-grown meat cells with plant-based ingredients, the company aims to create burgers that closely replicate the taste and sensory experience of traditional beef. SCiFi Foods has achieved significant milestones, including the successful growth of beef cells in suspension, which has the potential to dramatically reduce production costs. Co-founded by CEO Joshua March and CTO Kasia Gora, PhD, the company leverages advanced bioengineering techniques to provide a nutritious and animal-free meat experience. With a commitment to transforming the food landscape, SCiFi Foods has attracted substantial investment from prominent venture capital firms.

Oobli develops healthy, low-calorie protein sweeteners derived from exotic plants. These rare compounds offer great taste without affecting blood sugar levels or gut microbiome. The company has secured regulatory approvals such as FDA 'no questions' letters and GRAS status for multiple proteins.

Unicorn Biotechnologies develops a next-generation biomanufacturing platform for cell-based manufacturing, initially focusing on cultivated meat. Its modular bio-reactors, optimized via cloud computing, enable affordable and rapid scaling of production, aiming to improve human health, planetary sustainability, and transition towards animal-free agriculture.

Here Holdings, LLC is a company based in Chicago, Illinois, that specializes in producing cold press juices, dips, and spreads. Its product lineup features a variety of juices made from ingredients such as pineapple, celery, apple, turmeric, and kale, among others. In addition to juices, Here Holdings offers a selection of dips, including black bean tomato, edamame pea sesame, and spinach mushroom. The company emphasizes the use of Midwest produce, reflecting its commitment to quality and local sourcing. Here Holdings aims to foster trust and transparency while serving the community through its food and beverage offerings.

Oshi specializes in developing and producing plant-based fish fillets using advanced technology. Their mission is to create delicious, nutritious, and sustainable alternatives to traditional fish products.

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.

Picnic, founded in 2016 and based in Seattle, Washington, specializes in food production technology and robotics solutions for the food service and hospitality industries. Formerly known as Vivid Robotics Inc., the company has assembled a team of experienced professionals from both food and technology sectors. Picnic's flagship product, the Pizza Production System, represents a significant innovation in automated food preparation, enabling commercial kitchens to produce hundreds of custom pizzas per hour using chef-selected ingredients and recipes. The company's application facilitates seamless interactions and ordering processes for food companies, enhancing operational efficiency in the industry.

Spero Foods, Inc. is a company that specializes in producing and selling alternative dairy products, focusing primarily on cream cheese. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Oakland, California, Spero employs innovative food science and process engineering to create mainstream plant-based dairy alternatives. The company aims to provide healthy food options for all individuals, positioning itself as a disruptor in the traditional dairy market. Spero Foods' products are available through various channels, including wholesalers, retail stores, and online platforms across the United States. The company has gained recognition for its innovative approach and has received awards from notable organizations such as Fast Company, NEXTY, and The Food Network. Its products can be found in over 3,500 authorized locations, including major retailers like Kroger, Whole Foods, Publix, and Sprouts.

KetoNatural Pet Foods produces low-carbohydrate, high-protein dry pet foods and treats, reflecting a nutrition-forward approach that often aligns with raw-diet options for dogs. Founded in 2017 and based in Salt Lake City, Utah, the company focuses on healthier canine diets through its range of dry foods and related products.

Thistle, established in 2013 and headquartered in San Francisco, specializes in delivering ready-to-eat, plant-based meals, snacks, and cold-pressed juices directly to customers. Its offerings are nutritious, gourmet, and sourced locally and organically, making healthy eating convenient and accessible.

Cultured Decadence is a cellular aquaculture startup based in Madison, Wisconsin, founded in 2020. The company specializes in innovative methods to produce crustacean products, specifically focusing on lobster and crab meat. Utilizing cell culture and tissue engineering techniques, Cultured Decadence creates seafood directly from the cells of these animals, eliminating the need for shells, organs, and waste. This approach aims to address the increasing global demand for nutritious and sustainable seafood, providing a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional fishing practices.

Yumi is a company that specializes in providing science-based meal delivery services for infants and young children. It focuses on producing fresh, nutrient-dense, and low-sugar baby food designed to meet the dietary needs of various age groups. Yumi aims to help parents understand the nutritional value of what they are feeding their children, particularly during the crucial early years of development. By offering a convenient and health-oriented solution, Yumi supports parents in ensuring their children receive optimal nutrition for brain development and overall well-being.

Arable Labs, Inc. specializes in developing a solar-powered Internet of Things (IoT) device equipped with advanced sensors for in-field crop monitoring. This technology allows farmers to digitize and optimize their agricultural decisions by providing critical data about the impact of weather and other factors on crop yield, quality, and harvest timing. Arable's integrated system combines unique spectral and thermal sensors with agronomic modeling and software tools, enabling users to monitor crop development and identify stressors such as water or nutrient deficiencies. The platform serves a diverse clientele, including farmers, agronomists, researchers, food processors, and agricultural enterprises, facilitating real-time insights and predictive analytics that enhance productivity and sustainability. Established in 2014, Arable is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with an additional office in Princeton, New Jersey. The company has received various accolades, highlighting its innovation in agricultural technology.

Arable Labs, Inc. specializes in developing a solar-powered Internet of Things (IoT) device equipped with advanced sensors for in-field crop monitoring. This technology allows farmers to digitize and optimize their agricultural decisions by providing critical data about the impact of weather and other factors on crop yield, quality, and harvest timing. Arable's integrated system combines unique spectral and thermal sensors with agronomic modeling and software tools, enabling users to monitor crop development and identify stressors such as water or nutrient deficiencies. The platform serves a diverse clientele, including farmers, agronomists, researchers, food processors, and agricultural enterprises, facilitating real-time insights and predictive analytics that enhance productivity and sustainability. Established in 2014, Arable is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with an additional office in Princeton, New Jersey. The company has received various accolades, highlighting its innovation in agricultural technology.

Oobli develops healthy, low-calorie protein sweeteners derived from exotic plants. These rare compounds offer great taste without affecting blood sugar levels or gut microbiome. The company has secured regulatory approvals such as FDA 'no questions' letters and GRAS status for multiple proteins.

Spero Foods, Inc. is a company that specializes in producing and selling alternative dairy products, focusing primarily on cream cheese. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Oakland, California, Spero employs innovative food science and process engineering to create mainstream plant-based dairy alternatives. The company aims to provide healthy food options for all individuals, positioning itself as a disruptor in the traditional dairy market. Spero Foods' products are available through various channels, including wholesalers, retail stores, and online platforms across the United States. The company has gained recognition for its innovative approach and has received awards from notable organizations such as Fast Company, NEXTY, and The Food Network. Its products can be found in over 3,500 authorized locations, including major retailers like Kroger, Whole Foods, Publix, and Sprouts.

SCiFi Foods is a food technology company focused on developing a sustainable and ethical alternative to conventional meat through the production of cultivated meat. By combining lab-grown meat cells with plant-based ingredients, the company aims to create burgers that closely replicate the taste and sensory experience of traditional beef. SCiFi Foods has achieved significant milestones, including the successful growth of beef cells in suspension, which has the potential to dramatically reduce production costs. Co-founded by CEO Joshua March and CTO Kasia Gora, PhD, the company leverages advanced bioengineering techniques to provide a nutritious and animal-free meat experience. With a commitment to transforming the food landscape, SCiFi Foods has attracted substantial investment from prominent venture capital firms.

Endless West is a beverage company that produces wine and spirits using molecular science. It creates original blends by extracting taste, smell, and color molecules from various natural sources, eliminating the need for grapes or fermentation. The company's first product, Glyph, is an aged-style spirit made without aging or barreling, resulting in significant water and land savings.

Dexai Robotics, Inc. is a company based in Somerville, Massachusetts, focused on designing and developing artificial intelligence-driven robotics for the automation of commercial kitchens and the broader food industry. Founded in 2018, Dexai specializes in creating customized robots that simplify operations in quick-serve restaurants and other food service environments. The company's robots leverage advanced technologies such as machine vision and machine learning to automate food assembly tasks. This includes the precise use of utensils to scoop or pick ingredients, allowing for the preparation of salads and other dishes without altering recipes. By streamlining these processes, Dexai Robotics enables restaurant businesses to operate more efficiently in their daily activities.

PetPlate, Inc. is a New York-based company that specializes in delivering fresh, cooked meals for dogs through a subscription service. Founded in 2015, it focuses on providing nutritionally balanced meals designed by veterinary nutritionists, ensuring that each dish meets the dietary needs of dogs. The meals are made from real food, cooked in a facility that employs cold-pressure technology to eliminate harmful bacteria while preserving nutritional value. They are packaged in pre-portioned, recyclable containers that can be served directly from the fridge or microwaved for convenience. PetPlate aims to simplify pet nutrition by offering high-quality, human-grade meals that enhance the health and well-being of dogs.

Fresh Bowl, Inc. is a sustainable food brand headquartered in New York, New York, that specializes in providing fresh, on-the-go meals through innovative vending machines. Founded in 2017, the company offers a variety of products, including salads, dry fruit bowls, snacks, and signature smoothie bowls, all prepared daily. Fresh Bowl's vending machines distinguish themselves by utilizing zero-waste glass jars for packaging, allowing customers to enjoy healthy options while minimizing environmental impact. This model not only facilitates convenient access to fresh food but also promotes sustainable practices by reducing packaging waste.

Motif FoodWorks, Inc. is a bio-organism engineering company based in Boston, Massachusetts, that specializes in developing innovative food ingredients. The company focuses on producing animal-free proteins, including meat alternatives and dairy-free proteins, catering to the growing demand for plant-based food solutions. By utilizing fermentation technology, Motif creates essential proteins and nutrients that enhance both nutrition and flavor in food products. The company collaborates with chefs, health experts, and food innovators to develop new ingredient solutions aimed at transforming the food industry and promoting sustainability. Established in 2018 and originally known as Motif Ingredients, Motif FoodWorks rebranded in 2019 to reflect its commitment to advancing the next generation of healthy and plant-based foods.

Ceradis B.V. is a company that specializes in the development and marketing of environmentally friendly solutions for plant nutrition and crop protection products. Founded in 2005 and based in Wageningen, the Netherlands, with an additional office in Bogotá, Colombia, Ceradis also offers crop formulation services. The company's products feature patented formulations that ensure optimal activity of ingredients and provide excellent handling characteristics for users. Ceradis serves the agricultural industry both in the Netherlands and on an international scale.

Clear Labs is a biotechnology company specializing in next-generation sequencing and data analytics for infectious disease surveillance and food safety testing. Its platforms, Clear Dx™ and Clear Safety™, enable rapid identification of pathogens, supporting public health initiatives and enhancing safety across various sectors.

High Brew Coffee, Inc., founded in 2013 and based in Austin, Texas, specializes in producing cold-brewed coffee beverages. The company offers ready-to-drink coffee made from Arabica beans that are cold brewed over an extended period, which results in a naturally sweeter flavor profile, higher antioxidant content, and lower acidity. This unique brewing process allows consumers to enjoy a refreshing, low-sugar coffee experience. High Brew Coffee serves its customers through retail stores and online channels, aiming to provide a convenient and enjoyable coffee option. Additionally, the company emphasizes sustainable practices, helping farmers improve profitability while minimizing environmental impact.

PetPlate, Inc. is a New York-based company that specializes in delivering fresh, cooked meals for dogs through a subscription service. Founded in 2015, it focuses on providing nutritionally balanced meals designed by veterinary nutritionists, ensuring that each dish meets the dietary needs of dogs. The meals are made from real food, cooked in a facility that employs cold-pressure technology to eliminate harmful bacteria while preserving nutritional value. They are packaged in pre-portioned, recyclable containers that can be served directly from the fridge or microwaved for convenience. PetPlate aims to simplify pet nutrition by offering high-quality, human-grade meals that enhance the health and well-being of dogs.

Smitten Ice Cream is dedicated to crafting fresh-churned ice cream using unprocessed, locally sourced, and sustainable ingredients. The company operates a chain of ice cream stores that offer a diverse array of natural flavors, including options such as huckleberry cream, roasted banana, salted caramel, and classic vanilla. Each flavor is made from organic milk and cream sourced from local farms, ensuring high-quality products. Smitten Ice Cream emphasizes the use of real ingredients, providing customers with a delicious and authentic ice cream experience.

Manus Bio recreates plant processes in microorganisms using fermentation technology. This enables the production of natural ingredients such as flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, bio-pesticides, and pharmaceuticals, offering businesses affordable and sustainable solutions.

Manus Bio recreates plant processes in microorganisms using fermentation technology. This enables the production of natural ingredients such as flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, bio-pesticides, and pharmaceuticals, offering businesses affordable and sustainable solutions.

Replenish is a manufacturer specializing in self-cleaning blenders designed for the quick preparation of healthy smoothies and snacks. The company offers conveniently pre-packaged cups filled with a variety of hyper-fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts. These ingredients are flash-frozen at peak ripeness to ensure they maintain their optimal vitamins and nutrients, providing users with all-natural produce at its best. By combining modern technology with a focus on health and convenience, Replenish aims to simplify the process of enjoying nutritious snacks in both home and office settings.

Clear Labs is a biotechnology company specializing in next-generation sequencing and data analytics for infectious disease surveillance and food safety testing. Its platforms, Clear Dx™ and Clear Safety™, enable rapid identification of pathogens, supporting public health initiatives and enhancing safety across various sectors.