Artesian VC

LYRO Robotics, established in 2017 and based in Eight Mile Plains, Australia, specializes in developing robotics and AI solutions for order fulfillment in warehouses and logistics. The company creates pick-and-pack robots, computer vision systems, and grippers, along with advanced algorithms, enabling robots to handle a wide range of items, including fresh produce. LYRO's robots are designed to operate intelligently, using machine learning to integrate perception and manipulation, thereby enhancing efficiency and reducing waste in the supply chain, particularly in the food industry.

Journey Foods is a machine learning-driven software platform that serves the packaged food industry, focusing on enhancing product monitoring and development for consumer packaged goods companies, ingredient suppliers, and manufacturers. The company offers enterprise technology designed to streamline innovation and decision-making, enabling food companies to efficiently transition from concept to commercialization. Journey Foods' software provides tools for configuring consumer preferences, generating optimized product formulations, and delivering automated insights on compliance, nutrition, and sustainability. With a robust database containing over 1 billion ingredient insights, Journey Foods utilizes advanced algorithms to offer dynamic analysis and optimized portfolio recommendations based on pricing, supply chain, and nutrition parameters. The platform supports management teams in making informed strategic decisions and facilitates the monitoring of products within the expansive $3 trillion packaged foods market, ultimately improving nutrition, cost efficiency, and sustainability across product lines.

Zero Cow Factory is a pioneering company in the food industry, specializing in the production of animal-free milk proteins and dairy products. Utilizing advanced bioengineering and precision fermentation, the company has developed a patented technology that replicates nature-identical milk proteins, enabling the creation of real dairy products that are ethical, safe, and delicious without involving any animals. Their offerings are free from lactose, antibiotics, hormones, cholesterol, and saturated fats. Additionally, Zero Cow Factory's innovative process significantly reduces environmental impact, achieving 99% less land use, 98% less water use, 84% less CO2 emissions, and 65% less energy consumption compared to traditional dairy practices. By providing consumers with dairy alternatives that closely resemble the taste and texture of cow milk, Zero Cow Factory is redefining the future of dairy products.

Fresh Supply Co. Pty. Ltd. is an Australian company based in Brisbane that offers blockchain solutions specifically for the agricultural sector. Established in 2017, the company focuses on enhancing food production and logistics systems through blockchain technology. Its services include tracking the provenance and logistics of horticultural and value-added food products, as well as providing payment solutions. Fresh Supply Co. also specializes in marketing automation and analytics, aiming to improve efficiency and transparency within the agricultural supply chain.

HakkoBako specializes in a smart fermentation device designed for professional chefs, facilitating the creation of distinctive flavors through consistent and controlled fermentation processes. Utilizing advanced thermodynamic technology and Internet-of-Things components, the device simplifies the fermentation of a variety of foods and beverages, including bread, cheese, salami, beer, yogurt, kombucha, and miso. By providing a reliable and user-friendly solution, HakkoBako empowers chefs to enhance their culinary creations with precision and ease.

Orbillion Bio, Inc. is a food-tech company based in Fremont, California, focused on developing cultured meat products derived from heritage cattle breeds. Founded in 2019, the company utilizes small tissue samples from high-quality heritage animals to produce premium cell-based meat products. Orbillion Bio aims to harness the potential of cell-cultured meat to provide delicious and nutritious food that is sustainable and accessible. By sourcing heritage cell lines directly from farmers, the company emphasizes a commitment to quality and sustainability in its production processes.

Fybraworks Foods, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, focused on developing alternative meat substitutes through innovative fermentation techniques. Founded in 2020, the company specializes in creating animal-free meat structural proteins and synthetic meat, aiming to replicate the taste and texture of traditional meat products. By leveraging its advanced technological solutions, Fybraworks Foods enables both industry leaders and individual consumers to access sustainable meat alternatives, thus promoting humane practices and reducing environmental impact associated with animal agriculture.

Upfood is a food tech company upcycling surplus fresh produce and industry side streams into nutritious vegan ingredients.

Rainfed Foods is a plant-based protein company established in 2020 and headquartered in Toronto, Canada. The company focuses on producing sustainable and nutritious food options, utilizing climate-resilient underutilized crops such as millets. Rainfed Foods offers a variety of products, including plant-based milk and dairy alternatives, aimed at providing consumers with accessible vegan food choices. By prioritizing sustainability in its operations, Rainfed Foods contributes to the development of resilient food systems.

Cell Farm is a pioneering clean meat startup based in Latin America, focused on developing and standardizing biotechnological processes to produce meat from animal stem cells. By cultivating meat from these cells instead of raising animals, Cell Farm aims to provide a sustainable alternative that addresses environmental concerns, promotes consumer health, and adheres to ethical standards. The company plays a significant role in transforming the food system, contributing to a more sustainable future for humanity.

QA Chef is a developer of a digital food safety traceability system aimed at enhancing compliance processes within large-volume catering facilities. The company's innovative technology incorporates a camera, barcode scanner, and infrared sensor to monitor food preparation, record safety data, and ensure accurate time and temperature tracking. By providing real-time insights into stock levels and facilitating instant reconciliation of procurement, QA Chef streamlines operations between quality assurance teams and chefs. This integration not only minimizes gaps and inaccuracies in food safety data but also enhances communication, boosts morale, and reduces staff turnover. Overall, QA Chef is transforming the catering industry by digitizing the vital processes of food safety record-keeping, ultimately allowing clients to achieve ingredient-to-customer traceability while increasing operational efficiency and productivity.

Shandi Global is a company focused on developing technology for the production of plant-based meat substitutes that closely mimic the amino acid and protein profiles of traditional meats. This innovation aims to expand the versatility of plant-based offerings beyond conventional formats like patties, nuggets, and sausages. Shandi's products are crafted from organic natural ingredients such as water, beans, lentils, cold-pressed oil, herbs, and vegetables. This commitment to using wholesome components allows businesses to integrate plant-based options into their menus without altering existing recipes, promoting accessibility and affordability in the plant-based food market.

eBottli, established in 2019 and based in Port Adelaide, Australia, specializes in a digital platform that ensures product authenticity and traceability, primarily serving the food and beverage industry. The company's core offerings include real-time tracking, monitoring, and anti-counterfeiting services, facilitated by IoT and blockchain technologies. Additionally, eBottli provides consulting and design services to enhance user experience and product quality.

Phuture Limited is a Hong Kong-based company founded in 2018 that specializes in producing plant-based minced meat products. Focused on sustainability, Phuture aims to provide alternatives to traditional meat by offering non-genetically modified, halal options that closely mimic the taste and texture of pork. The company's proprietary processing technology incorporates rice into its product blend, enhancing the flavor and mouthfeel to create a satisfying experience for consumers. Through innovation in food technology, Phuture seeks to redefine the culinary landscape and promote healthier lifestyles by making plant-based eating more accessible and enjoyable.

Provenir is a vertically integrated meat processing company that specializes in on-farm processing to deliver high-quality meat products. By utilizing a mobile abattoir, Provenir eliminates the stress associated with transporting livestock to traditional processing facilities, thereby enhancing animal welfare. The company focuses on producing safe and wholesome red meat and poultry, while also promoting sustainable farming practices. Provenir is committed to improving animal care, providing opportunities for individuals in the agricultural sector, and upholding transparency and accountability in its operations. Through its practices, Provenir aims to increase farmers' yields while maintaining the integrity of its products.

thingc Robotics specializes in providing on-demand farm workforce solutions through the use of artificial intelligence-powered robots. Headquartered in the United States and incorporated in 2017, the company develops lightweight, fully autonomous electric robots designed to perform various farming tasks, addressing the critical challenge of accessing skilled labor in the agricultural sector. Its initial product, an automated weeding robot, targets the organic horticulture industry, where labor costs are increasingly burdensome. thingc's business model includes a "Weeding-as-a-Service" offering, which allows farmers to receive weed-free areas for a flat per-hectare rate. The company also aims to enhance farm productivity by integrating advanced data insights and technology implementation, helping farmers make informed decisions to optimize resources and increase yields. Future developments will expand the robot's capabilities to accommodate additional farming functions.

Cookitoo is an online marketplace designed for food professionals to list, search, and book unused kitchen space in their local areas. Founded in 2016 as Sprout during the Simplot Ignite accelerator program, the company aims to support local food businesses by enabling them to expand their operations and create flexible work opportunities for culinary enthusiasts. By providing a peer-to-peer kitchen sharing platform, Cookitoo fosters innovation within the food tech sector and facilitates collaboration among food professionals. The company is committed to enhancing the accessibility of kitchen resources and promoting growth within the culinary community.