Techstars

Mercado Único is a B2B platform that connects suppliers and retailers in the consumer goods industry. It specializes in the distribution and management of near-expiration and slow-moving products, facilitating sales at discounted prices. The platform uses AI to match suppliers with buyers who can utilize the items immediately, helping to reduce waste and avoid disposal costs.

Katapulte is a financial services provider focused on small businesses, particularly in the consumer packaged goods sector. The company offers loans, funding advice, and access to various funding options to meet the working capital needs of its clients. By specializing in the comparison of multiple funding sources, Katapulte ensures that small businesses can secure equitable financing without relinquishing equity at early stages of development. This approach enables businesses to scale effectively while maintaining ownership and control.

ConnectedFresh specializes in food safety temperature monitoring through innovative Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. The company offers a comprehensive platform that includes features for temperature logging, energy consumption monitoring, leak detection, kitchen air quality assessment, in-transit temperature tracking, and warehouse temperature regulation. Additionally, it addresses worker safety, bathroom cleanliness, and wine storage conditions. Utilizing a cloud-based system, ConnectedFresh employs low-power sensors that collect and encrypt temperature and humidity data, transmitting it via radio frequencies to a gateway device. This system enables efficient notifications through email or text messages, helping businesses such as restaurants, grocery stores, wine storage facilities, and warehouses mitigate risks, protect products, and enhance customer safety. ConnectedFresh also develops customized IoT solutions tailored to clients' specific needs, allowing them to proactively identify and resolve issues, thereby saving time and resources.

Direct-to-consumer bedding brand

Saral is a comprehensive B2B platform designed to empower female homepreneurs by enabling them to market their products from home. It focuses on connecting female entrepreneurs in the fast-moving consumer goods sector with local retailers. Utilizing a matching algorithm, Saral identifies suitable retailers to showcase their products. Additionally, the company employs dedicated sales and delivery teams to facilitate the sales and fulfillment process. This approach allows homepreneurs to expand their customer reach effectively and streamline their business operations.

Five Letter Foods is a dog food company focused on providing healthy, cruelty-free nutrition for dogs. The company emphasizes the importance of dietary variation, moving away from traditional ultra-processed kibble to offer whole foods, probiotics, and fresh ingredients. Their products are designed to replicate the health benefits of raw food while significantly reducing the carbon footprint associated with food production. By utilizing fermentation to pre-digest nutrients and cultivating meat in a lab setting, Five Letter Foods creates proteins and fats without the need for slaughter or antibiotics. Their approach not only prioritizes the well-being of dogs but also aligns with sustainable practices in the food industry.

WINIM is a company based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, founded in 2019, that focuses on reducing food waste through a mobile-based application. The application aids businesses in selling surplus daily food, thereby preventing these items from being discarded and contributing to environmental degradation. By facilitating the sale of excess food, WINIM enables businesses to minimize their carbon footprint and promote sustainability. The company is dedicated to combating food wastage while supporting environmental preservation efforts.

Ourside is a Techstars portfolio company. Ourside is creating the fragrance house for the future and disrupting a $47B category. Scent for self-care and connection based on self-love and community.

Packworks is a Philippines-based company that specializes in providing an end-to-end platform aimed at enhancing the operations of retail stores. Through its ERP, fintech, and data solutions, Packworks seeks to empower millions of micro-entrepreneurs across Southeast Asia by equipping them with essential business tools and access to financial products. The platform facilitates streamlined supply chain management, addressing challenges such as sales monitoring, dispatching, and logistics. By offering business analytics and insights, Packworks enables retailers to identify and address specific operational areas for improvement, ultimately fostering business growth and resilience in a competitive market.

High Time Foods is a producer of innovative plant-based meat alternatives designed for foodservice operators. The company specializes in shelf-stable, moldable products that serve as substitutes for traditional meat, with its flagship offering being a plant-based chicken alternative that does not require refrigeration. This versatility allows the product to be integrated into various cuisines, catering to diverse culinary needs. By providing nutritious and cost-effective options, High Time Foods aims to enhance efficiency across the value chain while promoting sustainability by enabling customers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in markets lacking cold supply chain infrastructure.

Big Fan provides brand positioning and brand guidelines services. They also provide website development, app design, social media, research, website design, packaging, and retail services.

Femly LLC is a manufacturer and distributor of feminine hygiene care products, specializing in environmentally friendly and plant-based options. Founded in 2016 and based in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, the company offers a range of products including organic cotton tampons, day and night pads, menstrual cups, and body care items. Femly operates an online platform that facilitates monthly subscriptions, online ordering, and home delivery, serving individual consumers as well as organizations such as hotels, co-working spaces, and colleges. Its products are designed to prioritize health and comfort, featuring certified organic cotton materials and improved absorbency. Through its commitment to quality and convenience, Femly aims to provide women with trustworthy menstrual care solutions.

Femly LLC is a manufacturer and distributor of feminine hygiene care products, specializing in environmentally friendly and plant-based options. Founded in 2016 and based in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, the company offers a range of products including organic cotton tampons, day and night pads, menstrual cups, and body care items. Femly operates an online platform that facilitates monthly subscriptions, online ordering, and home delivery, serving individual consumers as well as organizations such as hotels, co-working spaces, and colleges. Its products are designed to prioritize health and comfort, featuring certified organic cotton materials and improved absorbency. Through its commitment to quality and convenience, Femly aims to provide women with trustworthy menstrual care solutions.

Jalebi is an early-stage B2B food-tech startup focused on enhancing the food industry by unifying content and data within the value chain. By developing a data-centric inventory optimization platform, Jalebi aims to reduce costs associated with order servicing and improve operational efficiency for food businesses. The platform addresses issues such as wastage, theft, erratic resupplies, and operational oversight by providing essential visibility across the entire value chain. This approach not only creates value for all stakeholders involved but also enables commercial kitchen operators to better manage their resources and streamline their operations in a rapidly growing global food industry.

Packworks is a Philippines-based company that specializes in providing an end-to-end platform aimed at enhancing the operations of retail stores. Through its ERP, fintech, and data solutions, Packworks seeks to empower millions of micro-entrepreneurs across Southeast Asia by equipping them with essential business tools and access to financial products. The platform facilitates streamlined supply chain management, addressing challenges such as sales monitoring, dispatching, and logistics. By offering business analytics and insights, Packworks enables retailers to identify and address specific operational areas for improvement, ultimately fostering business growth and resilience in a competitive market.

Milky Way AI develops computer vision-powered software aimed at providing marketing insights for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies. The company offers a real-time store analytics platform that enables sales, marketing, and operations teams to quickly act on insights related to marketing and distribution. By utilizing an innovative retail management system, Milky Way AI collects shelf data to streamline the auditing process, allowing auditors to optimize sales by ensuring product availability and effective merchandising in physical stores. This technology empowers brands and retailers to gain valuable marketing insights through simple photographic data collection.

Pesky Fish is rebuilding the global seafood supply chain through technology and transparency. The company's platform sells fresh seafood that is purchased straight from fishermen's boats. It allows customers to buy nutritious, fresh meat and create a tasty meal at a low cost.

Curie London Ltd. is a London-based company founded in 2019 that specializes in the manufacture and provision of skincare systems. The company empowers individuals to create personalized skincare products at home by offering a diverse range of natural, plant-based ingredients. Curie's focus on sustainability is reflected in its use of eco-friendly packaging and the promotion of plastic-free ingredients. This approach appeals to eco-conscious consumers seeking effective skincare solutions tailored to their individual needs.

Noir Food is a global community focused on connecting local food and wine producers with enthusiasts around the world. The company is dedicated to supporting these producers while promoting sustainable practices. Noir Food offers its members exclusive content that includes insider tips, behind-the-scenes videos, and extensive expert tasting notes. Members also receive curated wine flights delivered to their homes, along with gastronomic treats and access to exclusive pop-up events. Through these offerings, Noir Food creates exceptional culinary experiences, allowing individuals to savor fine food and wine from the comfort of their own homes.

Fly By Jing Inc. is a Los Angeles-based company that specializes in manufacturing and retailing high-quality food flavors, particularly focusing on Chinese cuisine. Founded in 2018, the company offers a range of products that include chili crisp, dumpling sauce, spice mixes, and various chili products. Fly By Jing aims to provide authentic and flavorful culinary experiences by utilizing premium ingredients in its offerings. The brand is known for its unique and artisanal approach to traditional Chinese street snacks, appealing to consumers who seek bold, savory flavors that enhance their meals.

Food For All Technologies, Inc. is a company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that operates an application designed to connect users with unsold food from local restaurants and cafes. Founded in 2016, the company aims to reduce food waste while making quality meals more affordable for consumers. Through its platform, restaurants can sell their leftover meals at discounted prices at the end of the business day, allowing them to minimize waste and provide a sustainable food option. Food For All originated from a collaboration with the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and received backing from a significant number of supporters through a successful Kickstarter campaign. The company has expanded its reach beyond the United States, with additional locations worldwide.

ARpalus is an Israeli startup based in Caesarea that specializes in enhancing the shopping experience for retailers and consumer packaged goods manufacturers through augmented reality and artificial intelligence. The company has developed a platform that utilizes computer vision to analyze store shelves, allowing staff to scan and assess shelf space for compliance with planograms and detect out-of-stock products. Its smartphone application categorizes products using AR technology, providing detailed insights on individual products and their SKU levels. This capability enables retailers to optimize shelf space utilization, improve product placement, and manage inventory more effectively, ultimately enhancing customer experience and driving sales.

Slice of Sauce is a producer of handmade, gluten-free, and non-GMO food products, specializing in individually wrapped sliced condiments. These unique products resemble American cheese in both appearance and packaging, offering a thickened condiment option designed to enhance the flavor of burgers, sandwiches, and wraps. By utilizing natural ingredients, Slice of Sauce aims to deliver bold flavors while providing a mess-free alternative to traditional bottled condiments. This innovative approach allows consumers to enjoy their favorite condiments in a convenient and clean manner, ensuring that their food remains tasty and fresh.

Gastrograph AI, developed by Analytical Flavor Systems, offers an innovative sensory analytics platform tailored for the packaged food industry. This AI-driven software helps food producers understand consumer preferences by analyzing human sensory perceptions and generating predictive flavor profiles. With an over 80% failure rate for new food products, Gastrograph assists companies in navigating the complexities of consumer tastes and market dynamics. By moving beyond traditional tasting panels, the platform enables businesses to assess how new offerings are likely to perform across different demographics and markets over time. This approach allows food and beverage companies to refine their product development processes, minimize flaws, and effectively align their brands with consumer expectations.

Pesky Fish is rebuilding the global seafood supply chain through technology and transparency. The company's platform sells fresh seafood that is purchased straight from fishermen's boats. It allows customers to buy nutritious, fresh meat and create a tasty meal at a low cost.

Renewal Mill is an ingredients company based in Oakland, California, that focuses on reducing food waste by upcycling byproducts from food manufacturing. Founded in 2016, the company specializes in transforming okara, a byproduct of soymilk production, into high-quality, gluten-free flour that is rich in protein and fiber. Renewal Mill uses this flour to create a variety of baked goods, including a vegan okara chocolate chip cookie, which are sold online and at select convenience stores in the Bay Area. The company's innovative approach not only addresses food waste but also aims to improve nutrition and promote a circular economy in the food industry. Additionally, Renewal Mill is exploring other byproduct sources from various nuts and legumes to expand its product offerings and reach nationwide distribution.

Aunt Flow Corp. is a manufacturer and supplier of menstrual products, including organic cotton tampons and biodegradable pads, aimed at ensuring access to menstrual hygiene for all. Established in 2018 and based in Columbus, Ohio, the company sells its products to businesses and schools through wholesalers and online retailers, as well as directly to consumers via its e-commerce platform. In addition to menstrual products, Aunt Flow offers a range of branded merchandise, including apparel and accessories. The company is committed to social responsibility, donating a tampon for every tampon purchased online to individuals in need across the United States. Through its initiatives, Aunt Flow seeks to provide free access to menstrual products in public spaces, thereby supporting the health and dignity of menstruators.

Milkful, LLC is a company based in Charlotte, North Carolina, that specializes in the production and marketing of nutritional snack bars designed specifically for nursing mothers. Founded in 2014, Milkful offers lactation oat bars made from a blend of natural ingredients known as galactagogues, including rolled oats, brewers yeast, flax seeds, black sesame seeds, and various nuts. These ingredients are selected for their potential to enhance breast milk production. The bars also contain sweeteners like brown rice syrup and honey to enhance flavor. Milkful's products are available for purchase online, providing convenient access for mothers seeking nutritious snacks to support their lactation needs.

ZEGO is an online marketplace that provides foods made from organic seeds and fruits that makes allergy and gluten safety. It provides ZEGO Bars, JustFruit Bars, and FruitChia Bars. ZEGO is a U.S.-based company that was founded in 2010 by Jonathan Shambroom and Colleen Kavanagh.

ZEGO is an online marketplace that provides foods made from organic seeds and fruits that makes allergy and gluten safety. It provides ZEGO Bars, JustFruit Bars, and FruitChia Bars. ZEGO is a U.S.-based company that was founded in 2010 by Jonathan Shambroom and Colleen Kavanagh.

Freshline is an eCommerce and fulfillment platform that focuses on connecting perishable food suppliers directly with consumers. Initially launched as a seafood marketplace called Coastline in 2016, the company facilitated connections between fish farms and high-end restaurants, leveraging the founders' extensive experience in the perishable food supply chain. After achieving approximately $4 million in annual revenue, Freshline pivoted its business model during the COVID-19 pandemic to address broader market needs. The platform aims to simplify the often complex food supply chains, allowing suppliers of all sizes to compete effectively in the digital marketplace. By enhancing accessibility to quality food ingredients, Freshline empowers sellers to increase sales, streamline operations, and save time, thereby fostering a more equitable food supply ecosystem.

Gastrograph AI, developed by Analytical Flavor Systems, offers an innovative sensory analytics platform tailored for the packaged food industry. This AI-driven software helps food producers understand consumer preferences by analyzing human sensory perceptions and generating predictive flavor profiles. With an over 80% failure rate for new food products, Gastrograph assists companies in navigating the complexities of consumer tastes and market dynamics. By moving beyond traditional tasting panels, the platform enables businesses to assess how new offerings are likely to perform across different demographics and markets over time. This approach allows food and beverage companies to refine their product development processes, minimize flaws, and effectively align their brands with consumer expectations.

Gastrozentrale.de is a B2B online retailer specializing in kitchen technology and restaurant/catering equipment. The company serves a wide range of customers, from small food stands to large canteen kitchens, offering products such as napkins, industrial refrigerators, and patio heaters through its user-friendly online platform. Gastrozentrale.de provides caterers with comprehensive supplies needed for their operations, ensuring that businesses have access to essential equipment and tools.

Morsel Inc., established in 2015 and headquartered in New York, specializes in preparing and delivering healthy meals for corporate employees. The company offers a unique solution for office lunches, providing individual choices while minimizing food waste.

Foodzie is an online marketplace that allows consumers to discover and purchase food directly from small artisan producers. It simplifies the selling process for these producers, enabling them to reach a wider audience while offering consumers a curated selection of gourmet and organic health foods. The platform connects "foodies" with exceptional products, highlighting the quality and uniqueness of items crafted by local growers and artisans.