Alumni Ventures

Ummino is a company based in Raleigh, North Carolina, that specializes in precision fermentation technology for the fortified food and beverage sectors. Founded in 2019, Ummino’s innovative technology allows customers to convert common ingredients into high-value functional foods by unlocking rare compounds and enhancing taste and nutritional value. The company's focus on optimizing these properties positions it to significantly impact the food industry, particularly in the realm of functional and fortified 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.

Hyfé is a feedstock processing company focused on transforming food waste into valuable chemicals, materials, fuels, and foods through fungal fermentation. By upcycling waste generated in food manufacturing, Hyfé aims to create sustainable, cost-competitive products that benefit various industries. This innovative approach not only maximizes profits for food manufacturers but also helps reduce the carbon footprint of the food industry, promoting a more sustainable future. The company is dedicated to unlocking the full value of crops, allowing for the production of essential goods without reliance on petroleum.

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 is a Seattle-based company established in 2016 that specializes in food production technology and robotics solutions. Formerly known as Vivid Robotics Inc., Picnic has developed an application that streamlines automated interactions and ordering for food companies. The company has assembled a team of industry veterans from both the food and technology sectors to create innovative solutions tailored for the food service and hospitality industries. One of its flagship products, the Picnic Pizza Production System, is the first automated pizza-making system designed for both new kitchen installations and retrofits, capable of producing hundreds of custom pizzas per hour using chef-selected ingredients and recipes.

SCiFi Foods is a food technology company focused on producing cultivated meat that combines lab-grown beef cells with plant-based ingredients to create burgers that closely replicate the taste of traditional beef. The company aims to provide a sustainable and ethical alternative to conventional meat by utilizing bioengineering techniques to grow meat cells without relying on animal farming. SCiFi Foods has achieved significant advancements, including the successful growth of beef cells in suspension, which has the potential to drastically reduce production costs. Founded by CEO Joshua March and CTO Kasia Gora, PhD, the company has attracted $29 million in funding from prominent investors, positioning it for future growth in the alternative protein market.

Here Holdings, LLC, based in Chicago, Illinois, specializes in producing cold-pressed juices, dips, and spreads using Midwest-grown produce. Their product range includes a variety of flavors such as pineapple, celery, and apple, as well as beet, apple, and ginger. Additionally, Here operates as a financial services company, offering resources and assistance to investors interested in holiday rental real estate, particularly profitable Airbnb investment opportunities. The company is committed to trust, transparency, and community in both its food and beverage production and financial services.

Oshi is a company focused on creating plant-based, boneless fish fillets that aim to provide a sustainable alternative to traditional seafood. With a team of culinary researchers, Oshi is developing innovative additive manufacturing technology to produce whole-cut fish fillets that are both delicious and nutritious. This approach not only offers a solution for those seeking to reduce their consumption of marine animals but also contributes to ocean conservation efforts. By making these products affordable and scalable, Oshi seeks to address the growing demand for sustainable food options while promoting safer and more environmentally friendly choices for consumers.

Zordi operates an innovative agricultural technology platform that features an autonomous modular greenhouse system, utilizing advanced robotics and artificial intelligence. The company focuses on enhancing agricultural operations through automation, enabling precise pest management, efficient harvesting, and effective packing processes. By integrating these technologies, Zordi aims to improve the reliability and effectiveness of consumer solutions in the agriculture sector. The platform is designed to support distributed greenhouse farms located near urban centers, facilitating the delivery of fresh, high-quality fruits and vegetables to consumers while providing a significant return on investment for operators.

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 is a Seattle-based company established in 2016 that specializes in food production technology and robotics solutions. Formerly known as Vivid Robotics Inc., Picnic has developed an application that streamlines automated interactions and ordering for food companies. The company has assembled a team of industry veterans from both the food and technology sectors to create innovative solutions tailored for the food service and hospitality industries. One of its flagship products, the Picnic Pizza Production System, is the first automated pizza-making system designed for both new kitchen installations and retrofits, capable of producing hundreds of custom pizzas per hour using chef-selected ingredients and recipes.

Spero Foods, Inc. specializes in producing and selling alternative dairy products, primarily focusing on cream cheese. Founded in 2016 and based in Oakland, California, the company employs innovative food science and process engineering to create mainstream plant-based dairy alternatives. Spero Foods aims to provide healthier food options for everyone and has received recognition as one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies and NEXTY's Best Dairy/Meat Alternative. Its products are available nationally through various channels, including wholesalers, stores, and online platforms, reaching over 3,500 retail locations such as Kroger, Whole Foods, Publix, and Sprouts.

Medipresso specializes in the production of coffee and tea capsule machines, focusing on the integration of medicinal herbal teas with natural ingredients. The company is dedicated to making herbal tea consumption more accessible through innovative capsule technology. By employing a high-pressure extraction method and collaborating with tea sommeliers, Medipresso carefully blends ingredients to enhance both the medicinal properties and the overall drinking experience. This approach allows customers to easily enjoy the benefits of herbal teas that were traditionally challenging to prepare, promoting a healthier lifestyle through convenient beverage options.

Spero Foods, Inc. specializes in producing and selling alternative dairy products, primarily focusing on cream cheese. Founded in 2016 and based in Oakland, California, the company employs innovative food science and process engineering to create mainstream plant-based dairy alternatives. Spero Foods aims to provide healthier food options for everyone and has received recognition as one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies and NEXTY's Best Dairy/Meat Alternative. Its products are available nationally through various channels, including wholesalers, stores, and online platforms, reaching over 3,500 retail locations such as Kroger, Whole Foods, Publix, and Sprouts.

SCiFi Foods is a food technology company focused on producing cultivated meat that combines lab-grown beef cells with plant-based ingredients to create burgers that closely replicate the taste of traditional beef. The company aims to provide a sustainable and ethical alternative to conventional meat by utilizing bioengineering techniques to grow meat cells without relying on animal farming. SCiFi Foods has achieved significant advancements, including the successful growth of beef cells in suspension, which has the potential to drastically reduce production costs. Founded by CEO Joshua March and CTO Kasia Gora, PhD, the company has attracted $29 million in funding from prominent investors, positioning it for future growth in the alternative protein market.

Dexai Robotics, Inc. is a company that designs and develops artificial intelligence robotics specifically for commercial kitchen automation. Founded in 2018 and based in Somerville, Massachusetts, Dexai focuses on streamlining operations within the food industry. The company's customized robots utilize advanced AI technology, machine vision, and machine learning to automate food assembly tasks. These robots can efficiently scoop or pick ingredients to prepare dishes like salads, ensuring that recipes remain unchanged. By simplifying daily operations in quick-serve restaurants and commercial kitchens, Dexai aims to enhance efficiency and productivity in the food service sector.

Motif develops plant-based food products designed to produce healthy food using genetic engineering and fermentation. Their food technologies enable CPG companies to develop plant-based alternatives that have the same meaty taste, appearance, and texture as their animal counterparts. They offer bioprocessing services, finished products, and food services.

Clear Labs, Inc. is a food analytics company based in Menlo Park, California, founded in 2013. The company specializes in providing a comprehensive analytics platform that analyzes the molecular contents of food and ingredients. Its offerings include Clear Dx™ and Clear Safety™, which utilize next-generation sequencing and data analytics for food safety testing and infectious disease surveillance. Clear Labs serves food manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers by ensuring transparency throughout the supply chain and testing products for various factors such as authenticity, contamination, allergens, and nutritional content. The platform delivers actionable insights that enhance safety and operational efficiency while supporting public health initiatives. Through its integrated genomics system, Clear Labs aims to simplify complex diagnostics across clinical and applied markets, making genomic insights accessible to labs, hospitals, and businesses.

Manus Bio Inc. is a biotechnology company that specializes in recreating plant processes in microorganisms to produce natural ingredients through advanced fermentation technology. Founded in 2011 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company utilizes a combination of metabolic engineering, protein engineering, and systems biology to develop microbes capable of generating a variety of plant-based ingredients. These ingredients have diverse applications, including flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, cosmetics, vitamins, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural chemicals. Manus Bio operates manufacturing facilities in Cambridge and Augusta, Georgia, and has established a strategic partnership with BBGI Public Company Limited. The company was previously known as Manus Biosynthesis, Inc. before changing its name in June 2018.

Consumer Physics Inc. is a technology company based in Tel Aviv, Israel, that specializes in the development and distribution of molecular sensors marketed under the SCiO brand. Founded in 2011, the company offers the SCiO, a compact near-infrared spectrometer designed for real-time material analysis. This device connects to smartphone applications and a cloud-based database of material fingerprints, empowering both consumers and businesses to analyze the composition of various materials anytime and anywhere. Consumer Physics also provides a platform for businesses and third-party developers to create custom molecular sensing models and mobile applications. By leveraging the SCiO technology, clients in industries such as food and agriculture can make informed decisions, potentially reducing food waste and enhancing operational efficiency. The company has established strategic partnerships to further its mission and support its innovative offerings.

Manus Bio Inc. is a biotechnology company that specializes in recreating plant processes in microorganisms to produce natural ingredients through advanced fermentation technology. Founded in 2011 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company utilizes a combination of metabolic engineering, protein engineering, and systems biology to develop microbes capable of generating a variety of plant-based ingredients. These ingredients have diverse applications, including flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, cosmetics, vitamins, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural chemicals. Manus Bio operates manufacturing facilities in Cambridge and Augusta, Georgia, and has established a strategic partnership with BBGI Public Company Limited. The company was previously known as Manus Biosynthesis, Inc. before changing its name in June 2018.

Freshly, Inc. is an online provider of freshly prepared meals, specializing in gourmet ready-made options designed for health-conscious consumers. Founded in 2012 and based in New York, the company offers a subscription service that delivers meals directly to customers' doors on a weekly or monthly basis. The menu includes a variety of entrees and breakfasts, featuring high-quality, all-natural ingredients that are gluten-free, high in protein, and low in carbohydrates. Freshly's meals are crafted by experienced chefs, emphasizing health and wellness while adhering to paleo principles. The company aims to simplify healthy eating and support fitness goals by providing convenient, chef-cooked meals that require minimal preparation. Freshly operates as a subsidiary of Nestlé USA, Inc. since late 2020.

Clear Labs, Inc. is a food analytics company based in Menlo Park, California, founded in 2013. The company specializes in providing a comprehensive analytics platform that analyzes the molecular contents of food and ingredients. Its offerings include Clear Dx™ and Clear Safety™, which utilize next-generation sequencing and data analytics for food safety testing and infectious disease surveillance. Clear Labs serves food manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers by ensuring transparency throughout the supply chain and testing products for various factors such as authenticity, contamination, allergens, and nutritional content. The platform delivers actionable insights that enhance safety and operational efficiency while supporting public health initiatives. Through its integrated genomics system, Clear Labs aims to simplify complex diagnostics across clinical and applied markets, making genomic insights accessible to labs, hospitals, and businesses.