Bluestein Ventures

Aerflo is a company engaged in the development of a transportable method for carbonating sparkling water. Currently operating in stealth mode, Aerflo is focused on creating innovative solutions that enhance the consumer experience in sparkling water consumption. By utilizing its unique carbonation technology, the company aims to offer a convenient and efficient way for individuals to enjoy freshly carbonated beverages.

Jellatech is a biotechnology company based in Raleigh, North Carolina, with research and development operations in Wageningen, Netherlands. The company specializes in producing high-quality, animal-free collagen and gelatin through cellular agriculture, which involves growing cells in bioreactors. By eliminating the need for animal sources, Jellatech provides sustainable and safe ingredients for various sectors, including food and beverage, medical, pharmaceutical, and personal care industries. Founded by a team of innovators and scientists, Jellatech aims to create better ingredient products while promoting ethical and sustainable practices in the production of artificial proteins.

BiomeSense, Inc. is a company that specializes in developing an integrated platform combining hardware, software, and data analytics to enhance the collection and analysis of microbiome data in clinical research. Founded in 2018 and based in Chicago, Illinois, BiomeSense has created the GutLab, an innovative "smart bathroom" system designed for continuous, at-home monitoring of the human gut microbiome. This technology, along with the MetaBiome time-series analytics platform, provides a comprehensive solution that enables researchers, patients, and consumers to track microbiome changes in real time and understand their impact on health outcomes. By generating and analyzing large-scale, longitudinal microbiome datasets, BiomeSense aims to discover and commercialize novel microbiome biomarkers, ultimately improving precision medicine and the development of microbiome-based therapeutics and products.

People Science is a technology-driven research and development platform focused on alternative medicine. The company facilitates connections between health-conscious individuals, medical professionals, and research scientists while supporting manufacturers in creating products grounded in scientific testing. By providing a scaled research platform, People Science enables customers to identify alternative medicines that may aid in their wellness journeys, ensuring that these solutions are backed by rigorous research and evidence.

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

Crafty, LLC is a Chicago-based company that specializes in providing snacks, beverages, and event programs for workplaces. The company offers a diverse range of products, including beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, perishables, and pantry supplies. Crafty focuses on enhancing workplace experiences through services related to kitchen and pantry management, catering, lunch, and hosting events like happy hours. Catering to over 260 offices and supporting 300,000 employees each month, Crafty streamlines food, beverage, and supply management for in-office, remote, and hybrid teams worldwide. By partnering with global brands, Crafty aims to improve productivity and workplace satisfaction.

New Culture is a food and beverage company based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2018. The company specializes in producing animal-free cheese using innovative methods that involve microflora to create dairy proteins. By focusing on sustainable and ethical practices, New Culture aims to revolutionize the cheese-making process, offering a variety of delicious and healthy cheese alternatives. Their products are designed to reduce dependency on animal agriculture while providing consumers with access to nutritious dairy-like options.

Filtricine, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Santa Clara, California, focused on developing therapeutic products for cancer treatment. Founded in 2017, the company specializes in a novel nutrient modulation platform that targets and depletes essential nutrients critical for cancer cell growth. By exploiting the metabolic vulnerabilities of cancer cells, Filtricine aims to halt the spread of cancer without relying on traditional drug substances. This approach allows healthcare professionals to utilize targeted nutrient deprivation therapy to address a broad spectrum of cancers effectively.

Jellatech is a biotechnology company based in Raleigh, North Carolina, with research and development operations in Wageningen, Netherlands. The company specializes in producing high-quality, animal-free collagen and gelatin through cellular agriculture, which involves growing cells in bioreactors. By eliminating the need for animal sources, Jellatech provides sustainable and safe ingredients for various sectors, including food and beverage, medical, pharmaceutical, and personal care industries. Founded by a team of innovators and scientists, Jellatech aims to create better ingredient products while promoting ethical and sustainable practices in the production of artificial proteins.

Torch, Inc. is a manufacturer of Wi-Fi routers designed specifically for parents to monitor and manage their children's internet usage. Based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the company offers a router that features a pause function for internet access, content filtering, and tools for tracking web history and data consumption. This device allows parents to customize internet access and engage in meaningful conversations with their children about online activities. By consolidating the management of all connected devices into one user-friendly platform, Torch aims to empower parents to navigate the challenges of digital parenting without requiring technical expertise. The company's focus is on promoting healthy internet habits and fostering open communication between parents and children in an increasingly digital world.

Torch Logistics, LLC, founded in 2019 and based in Chicago, Illinois, operates a digital freight marketplace that connects small carriers with high-volume shippers. The company offers an integration and data aggregation platform designed to simplify logistics, providing real-time visibility and guaranteed capacity for shipments. By assembling a network of reliable short-haul drayage carriers, Torch aims to address specific market challenges and enhance transparency in the logistics sector. The company's mission is to foster connections and solve problems within logistics, emphasizing a customer-centric approach that values relationships over transactions.

Cultured Decadence is a startup based in Madison, Wisconsin, focused on cellular aquaculture to produce crustacean products. Founded in 2020, the company employs innovative cell culture and tissue engineering techniques to create lobster and crab meat directly from the animals' cells, eliminating shell, organs, and waste. This approach addresses the increasing global demand for sustainable and nutritious seafood, offering a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional fishing methods.

Grovara LLC, founded in 2010 and based in Miami, Florida, operates as a B2B global marketplace that connects U.S. wellness brands with international retailers. The company specializes in distributing agricultural commodities and healthy food and beverage products, including natural foods, snacks, and beverages such as coconut water and frozen fruit bars. Grovara's platform facilitates the marketing and sales of food and beverage products by enabling small and medium-sized enterprises to efficiently reach global distributors and retailers. The marketplace streamlines product discovery, order processing, and fulfillment for export, while also providing insights-driven data to help brands and retailers accelerate growth and scale their businesses.

New Culture is a food and beverage company based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2018. The company specializes in producing animal-free cheese using innovative methods that involve microflora to create dairy proteins. By focusing on sustainable and ethical practices, New Culture aims to revolutionize the cheese-making process, offering a variety of delicious and healthy cheese alternatives. Their products are designed to reduce dependency on animal agriculture while providing consumers with access to nutritious dairy-like options.

Reel is an online retail marketplace focused on providing eco-friendly toilet paper made from 100% sustainable bamboo. The company offers a product that is free from inks, dyes, and BPA while maintaining the softness and strength comparable to traditional toilet paper. Customers can conveniently subscribe to receive deliveries directly to their doors, ensuring they never run out. In addition to promoting sustainability, Reel has a social mission; for every box of toilet paper sold, the company donates a biodegradable toilet bag to individuals in need, addressing the lack of sanitation access for 2.4 billion people worldwide.

Mori, formerly known as Overlook Research, is a company that develops a natural biopolymer coating designed to extend the shelf life of perishable foods. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Mori's innovative coating is made from proteins extracted from natural silk using salt and water. This protective layer helps slow the spoiling process of various food items, including fruits, vegetables, meat, and seafood, thereby reducing food waste. By focusing on sustainable and economical solutions, Mori aims to transform the food supply and enhance the efficiency of the food, agriculture, and packaging industries.

Meati Foods is a Boulder, Colorado-based company specializing in the production and sale of fungi-based meat alternatives. Founded in 2016, the company aims to provide sustainable and nutritious plant-based options that serve as an alternative to traditional meat products. Meati Foods utilizes a proprietary fermentation process to create minimally processed steaks made from natural ingredients, ensuring its offerings are free from common allergens. The company markets its products online, making them accessible to a wide audience seeking vegan food choices that are both healthy and environmentally friendly.

Pear Chef, Inc. is a Chicago-based company that specializes in providing room service amenities to luxury apartment buildings. Founded in 2018, it offers an onsite, on-demand dining experience with a menu that features hot, fresh, and seasonally inspired meals delivered directly to residents' doors. In addition to its room service, Pear Chef provides professional catering services, private cooking classes, and personalized in-home dining experiences for residents and their guests. This comprehensive approach allows customers to enjoy quality dining options, including fresh meals, snacks, and customized drink pairings, all tailored to enhance their culinary experience at home.

Yerbaé is a beverage company based in Scottsdale, Arizona, that specializes in producing flavored sparkling water infused with yerba mate. Founded in 2017 by Todd and Karrie Gibson, the company aims to provide clean beverages that enhance people's lives. Yerbaé offers a range of products, including zero-calorie flavors such as pineapple coconut, strawberry kiwi, pomegranate berry, acai blueberry, and lemon, as well as 10-calorie options like mango passion fruit, orange vanilla dream, coconut raspberry, and watermelon strawberry. The drinks are designed to deliver natural caffeine without the jitters or crashes associated with traditional energy drinks, promoting both physical stimulation and mental focus. Through its innovative approach, Yerbaé has positioned itself as a pioneer in the plant-based energy beverage market.

Vive Organic, Inc. is a producer of cold-pressed organic beverages, specializing in ready-to-drink wellness shots made from organic and non-GMO herbs. Founded in 2015 and based in Venice, California, the company emphasizes quality by sourcing ingredients exclusively from top-tier organic farms worldwide. Vive Organic is committed to natural purity, avoiding artificial colors and sweeteners in its products. Each wellness shot is designed to support specific health functions, allowing consumers to enhance their well-being through plant-powered formulations. The products are available for purchase both in retail stores and online.

Buddy Nutrition, Inc. develops and produces a variety of personalized nutritional products aimed at meeting individual health and fitness needs. Based in Santa Monica, California, the company offers ultra-customizable nutrition solutions, including vitamin shots and organic, plant-based superfood smoothies. These products are designed to be convenient and delivered directly to consumers' doors. Founded in 2017, Buddy Nutrition focuses on providing natural ingredients that allow for tailored nutrition, ensuring that customers receive tasty and effective options that cater to their unique requirements.

Rethink Brands, Inc. is a beverage manufacturer based in Columbia, Maryland, founded in 2015. The company specializes in producing boxed water beverages and a variety of flavored drinks, including juice splashes and fruit punches aimed primarily at children. Rethink Brands focuses on creating nutritious energy drinks with zero sugar, zero calories, and zero sodium, using organic fruit essence flavors. The products are designed to promote hydration and wellness, making them suitable for various occasions such as birthday parties and sports events. Rethink Brands distributes its beverages through retail channels and online, emphasizing environmentally friendly packaging to align with its commitment to health and sustainability.

Get Bizzy Inc. produces organic cold brew coffee products under the brand name Bizzy Coffee, offering flavors such as black, vanilla, and caramel. The company emphasizes health and convenience, providing vegan and gluten-free options that are free from peanuts and nuts. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Get Bizzy operates an online retail platform and sells its products through various retail outlets, as well as offering wholesale options. The founders, Alex and Andrew, developed their passion for cold brew coffee while seeking a healthier and more convenient energy source during their busy lives. After discovering cold brew's benefits, they dedicated years to perfecting their product to ensure it met quality and convenience standards. Today, Get Bizzy is recognized for delivering a healthy, ready-to-drink coffee solution that caters to the demands of modern consumers.

Factor is a subscription-based meal delivery service that specializes in providing fresh, ready-to-eat meals crafted by chefs and designed by nutritionists. The company focuses on health and wellness, offering a rotating menu that includes options such as keto, Paleo, low-carb, vegetarian, plant-based, and high-protein meals. These meals are fully prepared and can be quickly heated in a microwave or oven, making them convenient for consumers. Factor prioritizes the use of fresh ingredients sourced from trusted partners, ensuring that its meals are free from hormones, antibiotics, gluten, refined sugars, and GMOs. Founded in 2013 in Batavia, Illinois, Factor aims to deliver a balanced combination of nutrition and taste to enhance overall well-being.

Monument Labs, Inc. is a company based in Chicago, Illinois, that specializes in the design and development of hardware and software solutions for personal photo and video management. Founded in 2015, Monument offers a smart storage device that collects multimedia content from smartphones and cameras, providing users with a simple and effective way to store, organize, share, and view their photos and videos. The company's innovative use of artificial intelligence enhances the user experience by automatically analyzing and organizing images by various criteria, including date, location, camera type, faces, and content, even without prior tagging.

Occasion is a Chicago-based company that specializes in designing and developing booking and scheduling software. Its online platform enhances conversion rates for businesses by facilitating customer connections through a range of services. Occasion's software enables firms to manage various offerings, including classes, events, memberships, gift cards, and space rentals. The platform provides a suite of tools that includes analytics, calendar synchronization, payment processing, and promotional features, allowing businesses to streamline their operations and enhance customer engagement. Founded in 2013 by Pelle ten Cate, Aksh Gupta, Eric Di Silvestro, and Kieran Klaassen, Occasion aims to support businesses in scaling their customer acquisition efforts across multiple channels and devices.

Factor is a subscription-based meal delivery service that specializes in providing fresh, ready-to-eat meals crafted by chefs and designed by nutritionists. The company focuses on health and wellness, offering a rotating menu that includes options such as keto, Paleo, low-carb, vegetarian, plant-based, and high-protein meals. These meals are fully prepared and can be quickly heated in a microwave or oven, making them convenient for consumers. Factor prioritizes the use of fresh ingredients sourced from trusted partners, ensuring that its meals are free from hormones, antibiotics, gluten, refined sugars, and GMOs. Founded in 2013 in Batavia, Illinois, Factor aims to deliver a balanced combination of nutrition and taste to enhance overall well-being.

FourKites, Inc. is a software company that specializes in providing a predictive supply chain platform aimed at enhancing operational efficiency for freight brokers and shippers. Founded in 2013 and based in Chicago, Illinois, the company offers a real-time tracking platform that serves shippers, carriers, third-party logistics providers, and freight brokers. Its solutions include BackHaul Management, which identifies potential deadhead miles, and CarrierLink, which facilitates real-time synchronization between brokers and owner-operators. FourKites stands out in the industry for its Intelligent Control Tower, which utilizes AI-driven technology to create digital twins of supply chains, automate resolutions, and improve collaboration among stakeholders. By processing actionable data from various transportation modes, FourKites helps businesses reduce operating costs, enhance on-time performance, and strengthen customer relationships.