Techstars

Greener Herd is at the forefront of transforming livestock farming through innovative AI solutions aimed at reducing methane emissions and enhancing productivity. The company provides an app that delivers real-time data and actionable insights to producers, enabling them to optimize animal health and maximize yields while contributing to global food security. Additionally, Greener Herd operates a regenerative agriculture marketplace that connects farmers with buyers dedicated to sustainable practices, facilitating direct transactions and ensuring traceability and accountability throughout the supply chain. By offering educational resources and tools that support responsible farming, Greener Herd fosters a shift towards more sustainable, efficient, and profitable livestock production while prioritizing soil health, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration.

PairAnything is an innovative company focused on enhancing the wine experience for consumers and wineries alike. By leveraging advanced mobile e-commerce and engagement solutions, it connects wineries with customers beyond traditional tasting rooms, promoting a customer-centric and data-driven approach to Direct-to-Consumer sales. The platform also features a food and beverage pairing tool that provides personalized pairing recommendations, catering to both restaurants and individual users. This capability allows restaurants to improve customer satisfaction and boost sales, while individuals can discover new culinary combinations to elevate their dining experiences. Through its proprietary technology, PairAnything is driving digital transformation within the wine industry, which is valued at $70 billion in the U.S.

Uuvipak is dedicated to addressing the issue of plastic waste by creating 100% compostable and edible packaging solutions derived from food and beverage manufacturing byproducts. The company focuses on developing organic materials that serve as alternatives to single-use plastic cups and bowls. By providing innovative compostable packaging options, Uuvipak enables customers to reduce their environmental impact during events, parties, and in daily life. Through its commitment to sustainability, Uuvipak aims to facilitate a significant reduction in plastic waste.

Puebla is a developer of a comprehensive suite of communication tools designed specifically for the coffee, sugar, and cocoa supply chains. The company focuses on enhancing the efficiency of global food exporters by integrating their WhatsApp communications with essential business workflows. This integration allows exporters to expedite deal closures and mitigate risks associated with the supply chain, facilitating smoother transactions in the global marketplace.

Planetarians is a US-based startup focused on developing affordable and healthy plant-based proteins through innovative ingredient technology. The company specializes in creating alternative meat products using carbon-negative ingredients derived from spent soybeans after vegetable oil extraction and spent yeast after beer fermentation. These by-products are repurposed for human consumption, providing natural protein and fiber to fortify various food products. Planetarians' efforts have been recognized in publications such as Alt Meat Magazine and TechCrunch, highlighting their contributions to sustainable food technology.

ShareFarm operates a digital farmers market application that connects local vendors and consumers, facilitating access to fresh produce and artisan goods throughout the year. By centralizing the local supply of these products, ShareFarm addresses the evolving preferences of consumers while supporting local farmers and artisans. The platform allows sellers to effectively market and list their offerings in real-time, enabling customers to purchase from their favorite vendors at any time. This approach not only strengthens local communities but also fosters a sustainable food system by integrating traditional practices with modern technology.

Outlander Materials is a manufacturer focused on addressing the challenges posed by single-use plastics through its innovative product, UnPlastic. This biodegradable alternative is crafted from food industry sources, including by-products and brewery waste, ensuring that it remains functional and compostable without breaking down into harmful micro- or nano-plastics. Designed for food and packaging applications, UnPlastic offers businesses a sustainable option that not only reduces plastic waste but also contributes to minimizing food waste. By providing a circular solution, Outlander Materials aims to transform the packaging landscape and promote environmentally responsible practices.

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.

Milk Moovement is a computer software company specializing in the dairy supply chain, established in 2018 and headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The company offers a cloud-based platform that connects all participants in the dairy supply chain, providing features such as transportation monitoring, production tracking, quality monitoring, and producer payment. This comprehensive milk management system serves as an Enterprise Resource Platform (ERP), allowing users to track milk pick-ups and production while facilitating the identification of process improvements. By delivering actionable intelligence and access to vital performance metrics, Milk Moovement aims to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and maximize profitability for stakeholders throughout the dairy supply chain.

Borde is a developer of an advanced AI vision system that operates within a no-code machine learning framework, specifically designed for industrial applications. The company provides a software-as-a-service solution that enables large food processing units to enhance operational efficiency by reducing labor costs while increasing product quality and throughput. Borde's technology supports industrial plants in streamlining their processes, ultimately contributing to higher revenue and lower waste in production environments.

CropConex is a supply chain management platform designed to enhance traceability, efficiency, and collaboration within fragmented commodity supply chains, particularly for specialty crops. The platform serves as a centralized trading hub, allowing buyers to source quality products, create sales contracts, coordinate logistics, and manage payments seamlessly. By integrating data and workflows across the entire agricultural trade process, CropConex provides stakeholders with an online workspace that tracks every step from order to delivery. This comprehensive approach enables clients to identify and eliminate friction points in the supply chain, fostering smoother cross-border trade and improved collaboration among all participants.

Trado helps SMEs to increase margins and improve cash flow by enabling them to source globally and trade locally using technology and market intelligence. Trado was previously known as MeatoDoor Trado is the region’s first international food trading hub. In the $100 Bn GCC food market 85% of foods are imported making the supply chain very complex. Trado is simplifying the supply chain for small and medium traders by eliminating multiple stakeholders to source directly from International Food Processors increasing margins by 15%. Trado consolidates less than container load orders from multiple traders offering them better pricing to increase margins and trade finance solutions to improve cash flow. Trado not just helps in sourcing but also in the distribution in the local market. Trado has built a strong network of more than 500 traders giving them SaaS solutions to perform RFQ-based transactions, manage inventory, and better understand market trends using advanced data & analytics.

Chamba is a staffing platform focused on the food and beverage industry, specifically catering to back-of-house (BOH) and front-of-house (FOH) positions. The company facilitates connections between employers and a large pool of job seekers, enabling restaurants and hospitality businesses to find qualified candidates efficiently. Through its application, Chamba allows employers to view candidate profiles and send direct messages to interested applicants, streamlining the hiring process. Additionally, Chamba provides job seekers with valuable information regarding opportunities, further supporting their search for employment in the sector.

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.

InFlows AI is a technology company based in Berkeley, California, specializing in computer-aided formulation tools for the chemical industry. Originating from the University of California Berkeley's Skydeck program, InFlows AI develops software that integrates advanced artificial intelligence algorithms with user-friendly visualization interfaces. This innovative approach empowers research and development laboratories in sectors such as cosmetics, food and beverage, and industrial chemicals to streamline their formulation processes. By enabling faster, more efficient, and environmentally friendly chemical design, InFlows AI aims to enhance the productivity and effectiveness of chemists in their research endeavors.

UBI is building a knowledge base platform for grading and monitoring the quality of cuts in the meat industry, leveraging AI to reduce food waste and improve food safety. We collect quantitative data points during inspections to assess whether best practices are being met.

Hya Bioplastics is an innovative startup focused on producing biodegradable food packaging from re-engineered plant fibers. The company utilizes a proprietary decentralized manufacturing technology that allows it to create cost-competitive bioplastics as an alternative to traditional petroleum-derived plastics. Hya Bioplastics aims to provide sustainable and affordable packaging solutions by developing a patent-pending process that transforms plant waste fibers into biodegradable materials, contributing to environmental sustainability while meeting the growing demand for eco-friendly products.

Caddy is a venture-backed cloud-based platform focused on enhancing food safety and traceability within the food processing industry. The company achieves this by automating everyday workflows for food processors through its software solution. This technology captures, accesses, and analyzes real-time inventory and traceability data, helping to streamline daily operations. By doing so, Caddy enables food industries to protect their brand, reduce product waste, and lower payroll costs.

Ganaz Inc. is a public benefit corporation that specializes in workforce management solutions tailored for the agriculture and food manufacturing sectors. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, the company offers a platform that connects farmers and agribusinesses with farm workers. This application streamlines communication by allowing employers to send work-related updates, manage individual conversations, and automatically translate messages, facilitating effective interaction across language barriers. Additionally, the platform aids in recruiting, onboarding, training, and paying workers, ultimately helping employers save time, effort, and resources in managing their workforce.

MilkRun, Inc. is an online platform that facilitates direct grocery purchases from farmers and producers, allowing consumers to buy a variety of products including bakery items, meat, seafood, and beverages. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Canby, Oregon, the company serves as a retail channel for small and mid-sized producers, enabling them to connect directly with their customers. Through its end-to-end solution, MilkRun enhances the distribution and fulfillment of locally sourced goods, significantly improving efficiency for producers by utilizing a pre-industrial distribution model tailored for local food systems.

Milk Moovement is a computer software company specializing in the dairy supply chain, established in 2018 and headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The company offers a cloud-based platform that connects all participants in the dairy supply chain, providing features such as transportation monitoring, production tracking, quality monitoring, and producer payment. This comprehensive milk management system serves as an Enterprise Resource Platform (ERP), allowing users to track milk pick-ups and production while facilitating the identification of process improvements. By delivering actionable intelligence and access to vital performance metrics, Milk Moovement aims to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and maximize profitability for stakeholders throughout the dairy supply chain.

Chowbotics Inc. designs and develops food service robots to address challenges in cleanliness and efficiency within the food industry. Founded in 2014 and based in San Jose, California, the company focuses on providing innovative solutions for cafeterias, restaurants, hotels, and food courts in various venues. Its flagship product, Sally, is a salad-making robot that offers customers the ability to create fully customized, fresh, and healthy salads. Sally dispenses measured quantities of over 20 ingredients, which are refreshed daily, allowing for ready-to-eat meals at any time. The technology behind Sally, with several patents pending, is adaptable for other cuisines, paving the way for future robotic offerings.

Canomiks is a company that specializes in genomics, bioinformatics, and artificial intelligence to support the development of safe and effective products in the functional food and beverage, dietary supplement, and skincare sectors. The company operates a technology platform that employs omics science, data analytics, machine learning, and bioinformatics to validate and certify the biological efficacy and safety of various ingredients and formulations. This innovative approach enables clients to create high-quality products while significantly reducing both the time and costs associated with product development. Canomiks aims to revolutionize the industry by advancing the concept of food as medicine, aligning with a long-term vision of enhancing health through scientifically validated nutritional solutions.

Satis.ai develops a comprehensive operating system for autonomous restaurant kitchens, utilizing artificial intelligence to enhance decision-making and minimize errors. The company targets the substantial market of refunded orders in the EU and USA, estimated at approximately $3.4 billion, while aspiring to create automated kitchens for the broader $4 trillion global food service market. Satis.ai's technology leverages computer vision to address operational challenges in kitchen environments, including order accuracy, supply and inventory management, labor optimization, and compliance with hygiene standards. With proven technology and ongoing pilots with major global food chains, Satis.ai is positioned to drive innovation in a sector that has largely optimized its processes. Additionally, the company is part of the Nvidia Inception program and the Techstars Farm to Fork accelerator, collaborating with leading industry players such as Ecolabs and Cargill.

IXON Food Technology is a developer of advanced sous-vide aseptic packaging (ASAP), a patented technology that enables food products, particularly proteins, to remain stable at room temperature for up to two years without the need for refrigeration or preservatives. This innovative approach allows for the safe storage and transportation of food, maintaining its taste, texture, and nutritional quality. IXON specializes in providing custom equipment and licensing solutions to food manufacturers, granting them exclusive rights to produce and distribute ASAP food products. In addition to its core technology, IXON offers comprehensive support in product development, testing, plant design and construction, operational management, hygiene maintenance, corporate training, and patent enforcement, ensuring that partners are well-equipped for commercial success.

Milk Moovement is a computer software company specializing in the dairy supply chain, established in 2018 and headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The company offers a cloud-based platform that connects all participants in the dairy supply chain, providing features such as transportation monitoring, production tracking, quality monitoring, and producer payment. This comprehensive milk management system serves as an Enterprise Resource Platform (ERP), allowing users to track milk pick-ups and production while facilitating the identification of process improvements. By delivering actionable intelligence and access to vital performance metrics, Milk Moovement aims to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and maximize profitability for stakeholders throughout the dairy supply chain.

Vervet is a manufacturing company focused on the production and distribution of craft canned cocktails and beer. The company aims to provide consumers with bartender-crafted drinks that incorporate house-made bitters, vermouth, and Amari sourced from California farms. By offering these premium cocktails in a portable format, Vervet enables customers to enjoy high-quality beverages on any occasion, effectively bringing the craft cocktail experience to a wider audience.

MilkRun, Inc. is an online platform that facilitates direct grocery purchases from farmers and producers, allowing consumers to buy a variety of products including bakery items, meat, seafood, and beverages. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Canby, Oregon, the company serves as a retail channel for small and mid-sized producers, enabling them to connect directly with their customers. Through its end-to-end solution, MilkRun enhances the distribution and fulfillment of locally sourced goods, significantly improving efficiency for producers by utilizing a pre-industrial distribution model tailored for local food systems.

Grubbly Farms Inc. is a company based in Atlanta, Georgia, that specializes in producing and selling fresh feed and snacks for chickens, primarily through its product known as Grubblies, which are made from dried black soldier fly larvae. Founded in 2015, the company aims to address the rising costs of livestock feed by offering a sustainable protein source derived from farm-grown black soldier fly grubs. These larvae are cultivated on a diet of pre-consumer food waste and are rich in essential nutrients such as calcium and lysine, vital for egg and feather production in poultry. By providing eco-friendly alternatives, Grubbly Farms supports poultry owners in accessing high-protein feed that not only benefits their livestock but also promotes environmental sustainability.

MilkRun, Inc. is an online platform that facilitates direct grocery purchases from farmers and producers, allowing consumers to buy a variety of products including bakery items, meat, seafood, and beverages. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Canby, Oregon, the company serves as a retail channel for small and mid-sized producers, enabling them to connect directly with their customers. Through its end-to-end solution, MilkRun enhances the distribution and fulfillment of locally sourced goods, significantly improving efficiency for producers by utilizing a pre-industrial distribution model tailored for local food systems.

Kencko Foods, Inc., established in 2017, is a New York-based company that produces and sells organic fruit and vegetable products in the U.S., U.K., and Canada. It specializes in sachet-based drinks, available in ten, thirty, and sixty packs, designed to provide convenient, hassle-free access to fresh, organic produce. Kencko's mission is to reinvent fresh organic fruits and vegetables into convenient products, preserving their nutritional content and making them easily consumable anytime, anywhere.

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.

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.

Labby Inc. is a technology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specializing in smartphone-based optical spectrometry for agricultural applications. Founded in 2017, Labby develops an artificial intelligence-driven platform that translates raw optical data into actionable insights, primarily for farmers and dairy processors. Its flagship product allows for rapid and precise testing of milk composition, facilitating early mastitis detection and enabling timely intervention. Additionally, Labby's technology is applicable across various sectors, including the detection of spoilage, adulterants, and contamination in the supply chain, as well as providing analytics for tracking harvest cycles and meteorological data mapping. The company also caters to the beer and wine industries, offering portable testing devices for quality control and counterfeit detection, serving a diverse clientele that ranges from large breweries to homebrewers.

Nise Tech Inc. specializes in the development and manufacturing of innovative cooking appliances, particularly the Nise Wave, an app-controlled sous vide circulator. This device allows users to make precise temperature adjustments for cooking, transforming any pot of water into a versatile cooking solution. The Nise Wave can prepare a variety of dishes, including medium-rare steak and crème brûlée, all through a user-friendly mobile application. In addition to its cooking appliances, the company also offers ready-to-cook meal options, such as Korean barbecue and mulled wine. Founded in 2015 and based in Brampton, Canada, Nise Tech Inc. focuses on enhancing the cooking experience by combining advanced technology with convenience, enabling users to prepare meals more efficiently while multitasking.

MilkRun, Inc. is an online platform that facilitates direct grocery purchases from farmers and producers, allowing consumers to buy a variety of products including bakery items, meat, seafood, and beverages. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Canby, Oregon, the company serves as a retail channel for small and mid-sized producers, enabling them to connect directly with their customers. Through its end-to-end solution, MilkRun enhances the distribution and fulfillment of locally sourced goods, significantly improving efficiency for producers by utilizing a pre-industrial distribution model tailored for local food systems.

Chowbotics Inc. designs and develops food service robots to address challenges in cleanliness and efficiency within the food industry. Founded in 2014 and based in San Jose, California, the company focuses on providing innovative solutions for cafeterias, restaurants, hotels, and food courts in various venues. Its flagship product, Sally, is a salad-making robot that offers customers the ability to create fully customized, fresh, and healthy salads. Sally dispenses measured quantities of over 20 ingredients, which are refreshed daily, allowing for ready-to-eat meals at any time. The technology behind Sally, with several patents pending, is adaptable for other cuisines, paving the way for future robotic offerings.

Mobius is a company dedicated to providing environmental solutions that transform waste streams into valuable chemicals and materials. Focused on reducing waste, Mobius leverages industrial organic waste generated from agriculture, forestry, and the paper and biofuel industries. Its flagship product is a proprietary biodegradable polymer derived from lignin, a natural substance produced in large quantities as a byproduct of these industries. This biopolymer is engineered into bio-based, biodegradable plastic pellets suitable for various applications, including horticulture, agriculture, and food service packaging. By innovating around waste, Mobius aims to create sustainable alternatives that benefit both industries and the environment.

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.

Otrafy is a Quality Management Software company that specializes in optimizing vendor relationships for quality assurance departments, particularly within the food production sector. The company offers a blockchain-powered platform that enhances compliance and reduces operational risks in the supply chain. By addressing critical challenges such as certification, compliance management, production efficiency, food safety, disease prevention, and authenticity, Otrafy enables farmers to effectively communicate the history of their products from the farm to the store. This innovative approach helps food production facilities meet regulatory requirements more swiftly by automating mundane tasks and minimizing low-value activities.

ImagoAI, Inc. is a food-tech company founded in 2017 and based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It specializes in food quality assessment solutions for manufacturers, processors, retailers, and distributors. ImagoAI offers a range of innovative products, including GrainQ for grain quality analysis, Feed.AI for animal feed inspections, BakerGo for bakery quality checks, and PotatoMash for potato quality assessment. All these systems employ real-time, non-destructive, and contactless inspection methods. The company is also developing an advanced automated image processing pipeline and artificial intelligence platform designed to rapidly test, analyze, and monitor the quality of food products. Additionally, ImagoAI's technology leverages hyperspectral imaging to gather detailed spectral information, enhancing its capabilities in food safety and quality assurance. The company aims to make safe and high-quality food accessible globally.

Kencko Foods, Inc., established in 2017, is a New York-based company that produces and sells organic fruit and vegetable products in the U.S., U.K., and Canada. It specializes in sachet-based drinks, available in ten, thirty, and sixty packs, designed to provide convenient, hassle-free access to fresh, organic produce. Kencko's mission is to reinvent fresh organic fruits and vegetables into convenient products, preserving their nutritional content and making them easily consumable anytime, anywhere.

Planetarians is a US-based startup focused on developing affordable and healthy plant-based proteins through innovative ingredient technology. The company specializes in creating alternative meat products using carbon-negative ingredients derived from spent soybeans after vegetable oil extraction and spent yeast after beer fermentation. These by-products are repurposed for human consumption, providing natural protein and fiber to fortify various food products. Planetarians' efforts have been recognized in publications such as Alt Meat Magazine and TechCrunch, highlighting their contributions to sustainable food technology.

ckbk is a digital subscription service designed for food enthusiasts, often likened to "Spotify for recipes." The platform features a curated collection of hundreds of the world's best and most influential cookbooks, based on a Top 1000 list compiled with contributions from renowned chefs and food writers. ckbk provides users with instant access to over 100,000 recipes, making the full content of these cookbooks searchable from any device. Users can create personalized collections of their favorite recipes and receive tailored recommendations, facilitating a seamless and engaging cooking experience.

Grubbly Farms Inc. is a company based in Atlanta, Georgia, that specializes in producing and selling fresh feed and snacks for chickens, primarily through its product known as Grubblies, which are made from dried black soldier fly larvae. Founded in 2015, the company aims to address the rising costs of livestock feed by offering a sustainable protein source derived from farm-grown black soldier fly grubs. These larvae are cultivated on a diet of pre-consumer food waste and are rich in essential nutrients such as calcium and lysine, vital for egg and feather production in poultry. By providing eco-friendly alternatives, Grubbly Farms supports poultry owners in accessing high-protein feed that not only benefits their livestock but also promotes environmental sustainability.

Kencko Foods, Inc., established in 2017, is a New York-based company that produces and sells organic fruit and vegetable products in the U.S., U.K., and Canada. It specializes in sachet-based drinks, available in ten, thirty, and sixty packs, designed to provide convenient, hassle-free access to fresh, organic produce. Kencko's mission is to reinvent fresh organic fruits and vegetables into convenient products, preserving their nutritional content and making them easily consumable anytime, anywhere.

HeavyConnect, Inc. is a company that provides a mobile application designed for the food supply chain, particularly for producers of fruits and vegetables. Founded in 2015 and based in Salinas, California, HeavyConnect offers a cloud-based compliance management platform that includes features for equipment tracking, work scheduling, and employee time and attendance management. The application enables businesses to manage fleet location, status, and service history while recording field observations. Additionally, it simplifies compliance tasks through tools for food safety, worker training, quality assurance, and traceability. By collecting data at the ground level and syncing it instantly to a management dashboard, HeavyConnect empowers organizations with actionable insights for improved operational efficiency.

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.

Induction Food Systems, Inc. is a manufacturer based in Raleigh, North Carolina, specializing in innovative heating equipment for the food and beverage industry. Founded in 2017, the company develops electric-powered induction heating systems that enhance production efficiency through on-demand precision heating solutions. These systems are particularly designed for evaporation, pasteurization, sterilization, and temperature regulation, accommodating a variety of fluids, including high viscosity and particulate foods. By utilizing electromagnetic energy, Induction Food Systems offers an alternative to traditional heating methods, such as boilers and steam heating, thereby reducing emissions and operational complexities. The company's technology supports sectors including brewing, cidering, distilling, and juice and beverage production.

HeavyConnect, Inc. is a company that provides a mobile application designed for the food supply chain, particularly for producers of fruits and vegetables. Founded in 2015 and based in Salinas, California, HeavyConnect offers a cloud-based compliance management platform that includes features for equipment tracking, work scheduling, and employee time and attendance management. The application enables businesses to manage fleet location, status, and service history while recording field observations. Additionally, it simplifies compliance tasks through tools for food safety, worker training, quality assurance, and traceability. By collecting data at the ground level and syncing it instantly to a management dashboard, HeavyConnect empowers organizations with actionable insights for improved operational efficiency.

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.

Best Food Trucks, LLC is an online platform that facilitates the booking and ordering of food trucks across the United States. Established in 2016 and headquartered in Marina Del Rey, California, the company specializes in various services, including lot booking, catering, and location management. Its technology enables users to order ahead and simplifies the logistics of setting up food trucks for offices and events. The platform connects local consumers with food vendors, providing information about available food trucks in their area and assisting vendors in securing spots at fairs and events. With its comprehensive approach, Best Food Trucks aims to enhance the food truck experience for both customers and vendors.

Ganaz Inc. is a public benefit corporation that specializes in workforce management solutions tailored for the agriculture and food manufacturing sectors. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, the company offers a platform that connects farmers and agribusinesses with farm workers. This application streamlines communication by allowing employers to send work-related updates, manage individual conversations, and automatically translate messages, facilitating effective interaction across language barriers. Additionally, the platform aids in recruiting, onboarding, training, and paying workers, ultimately helping employers save time, effort, and resources in managing their workforce.

Chowbotics Inc. designs and develops food service robots to address challenges in cleanliness and efficiency within the food industry. Founded in 2014 and based in San Jose, California, the company focuses on providing innovative solutions for cafeterias, restaurants, hotels, and food courts in various venues. Its flagship product, Sally, is a salad-making robot that offers customers the ability to create fully customized, fresh, and healthy salads. Sally dispenses measured quantities of over 20 ingredients, which are refreshed daily, allowing for ready-to-eat meals at any time. The technology behind Sally, with several patents pending, is adaptable for other cuisines, paving the way for future robotic offerings.

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.

Ganaz Inc. is a public benefit corporation that specializes in workforce management solutions tailored for the agriculture and food manufacturing sectors. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, the company offers a platform that connects farmers and agribusinesses with farm workers. This application streamlines communication by allowing employers to send work-related updates, manage individual conversations, and automatically translate messages, facilitating effective interaction across language barriers. Additionally, the platform aids in recruiting, onboarding, training, and paying workers, ultimately helping employers save time, effort, and resources in managing their workforce.

Planetarians is a US-based startup focused on developing affordable and healthy plant-based proteins through innovative ingredient technology. The company specializes in creating alternative meat products using carbon-negative ingredients derived from spent soybeans after vegetable oil extraction and spent yeast after beer fermentation. These by-products are repurposed for human consumption, providing natural protein and fiber to fortify various food products. Planetarians' efforts have been recognized in publications such as Alt Meat Magazine and TechCrunch, highlighting their contributions to sustainable food technology.

Local Crate is a food and beverage delivery service that specializes in a subscription-based meal kit platform. The company provides customers with the option to create their own meals by delivering fresh, local, and portioned ingredients along with easy-to-follow chef-designed recipes. This service is designed to facilitate the preparation of restaurant-quality meals at home, minimizing both preparation time and food waste. By accepting online orders, Local Crate caters to individuals and offices, ensuring convenience and quality in meal preparation.

Planetarians is a US-based startup focused on developing affordable and healthy plant-based proteins through innovative ingredient technology. The company specializes in creating alternative meat products using carbon-negative ingredients derived from spent soybeans after vegetable oil extraction and spent yeast after beer fermentation. These by-products are repurposed for human consumption, providing natural protein and fiber to fortify various food products. Planetarians' efforts have been recognized in publications such as Alt Meat Magazine and TechCrunch, highlighting their contributions to sustainable food technology.

Whole Surplus is a B2B food surplus management platform based in Istanbul, Turkey, founded in 2017. The company specializes in helping retailers effectively manage their unsold inventories, maximizing recovery value both financially and environmentally. Whole Surplus provides a technology-driven solution that allows retailers to donate unsold products to food banks or recycle surplus goods. As a software-as-a-service provider, the platform serves some of the largest retailers in Europe, facilitating improved bottom-line performance and informed sourcing decisions at the SKU level, while also contributing to positive environmental and social impacts.

Grubbly Farms Inc. is a company based in Atlanta, Georgia, that specializes in producing and selling fresh feed and snacks for chickens, primarily through its product known as Grubblies, which are made from dried black soldier fly larvae. Founded in 2015, the company aims to address the rising costs of livestock feed by offering a sustainable protein source derived from farm-grown black soldier fly grubs. These larvae are cultivated on a diet of pre-consumer food waste and are rich in essential nutrients such as calcium and lysine, vital for egg and feather production in poultry. By providing eco-friendly alternatives, Grubbly Farms supports poultry owners in accessing high-protein feed that not only benefits their livestock but also promotes environmental sustainability.

Chowbotics Inc. designs and develops food service robots to address challenges in cleanliness and efficiency within the food industry. Founded in 2014 and based in San Jose, California, the company focuses on providing innovative solutions for cafeterias, restaurants, hotels, and food courts in various venues. Its flagship product, Sally, is a salad-making robot that offers customers the ability to create fully customized, fresh, and healthy salads. Sally dispenses measured quantities of over 20 ingredients, which are refreshed daily, allowing for ready-to-eat meals at any time. The technology behind Sally, with several patents pending, is adaptable for other cuisines, paving the way for future robotic offerings.

Kencko Foods, Inc., established in 2017, is a New York-based company that produces and sells organic fruit and vegetable products in the U.S., U.K., and Canada. It specializes in sachet-based drinks, available in ten, thirty, and sixty packs, designed to provide convenient, hassle-free access to fresh, organic produce. Kencko's mission is to reinvent fresh organic fruits and vegetables into convenient products, preserving their nutritional content and making them easily consumable anytime, anywhere.

Afineur is a company focused on developing fermentation technologies to enhance the flavor and nutritional profile of food products. By leveraging microbiomes, Afineur aims to naturally improve the quality of plant-based foods. The company specializes in selecting and collaborating with specific microbes to create a controllable fermentation process, allowing for tailored enhancements of various food characteristics. This innovative approach not only aims to improve the sensory and nutritional aspects of food but also supports the production of economically viable and sustainable food solutions for clients.

Smunch is a food technology startup based in Berlin that focuses on providing healthy lunches for workplaces. The company aims to facilitate access to nutritious and mindful meals for employees, believing that good food contributes to a happier life. Smunch offers a flexible catering service that delivers meals from various restaurants directly to offices, tailored to the preferences of employees. This approach allows companies to provide affordable and wholesome lunches without the need to maintain their own canteen. With a commitment to quality, Smunch meticulously designs its menus, selects reputable food partners, and utilizes environmentally friendly packaging, all to ensure that teams can enjoy convenient and healthy dining options at work.

Tsenso GmbH, founded in 2015 and based in Stuttgart, Germany, specializes in automated sensor solutions and temperature documentation for the food industry. The company offers a cloud-based system that tracks and collects data on product storage conditions throughout the supply chain, from farm to fork. By aggregating complex logistical and monitoring data into a "Fresh Index," Tsenso provides a real-time shelf life indicator that aids wholesalers and retailers in quality assurance and identifying vulnerabilities within their supply chains. This enhanced level of food transparency benefits suppliers, distributors, and consumers alike, leading to reduced costs, increased trust, and minimized food wastage at all stages of the supply chain.

Brewbot, Inc., founded in 2013, specializes in manufacturing stainless-steel-and-wood beer brewing machines and systems. The company also provides a mobile application that enables users to brew beer conveniently. Brewbot serves a diverse clientele including restaurants, companies, bars, and breweries across the United Kingdom and the United States. Based in San Carlos, California, Brewbot is driven by a multidisciplinary team of designers and developers from Belfast, N. Ireland, who bring varied backgrounds and a shared passion for brewing to their work.

Grubbly Farms Inc. is a company based in Atlanta, Georgia, that specializes in producing and selling fresh feed and snacks for chickens, primarily through its product known as Grubblies, which are made from dried black soldier fly larvae. Founded in 2015, the company aims to address the rising costs of livestock feed by offering a sustainable protein source derived from farm-grown black soldier fly grubs. These larvae are cultivated on a diet of pre-consumer food waste and are rich in essential nutrients such as calcium and lysine, vital for egg and feather production in poultry. By providing eco-friendly alternatives, Grubbly Farms supports poultry owners in accessing high-protein feed that not only benefits their livestock but also promotes environmental sustainability.

Chowbotics Inc. designs and develops food service robots to address challenges in cleanliness and efficiency within the food industry. Founded in 2014 and based in San Jose, California, the company focuses on providing innovative solutions for cafeterias, restaurants, hotels, and food courts in various venues. Its flagship product, Sally, is a salad-making robot that offers customers the ability to create fully customized, fresh, and healthy salads. Sally dispenses measured quantities of over 20 ingredients, which are refreshed daily, allowing for ready-to-eat meals at any time. The technology behind Sally, with several patents pending, is adaptable for other cuisines, paving the way for future robotic offerings.

Brewbot, Inc., founded in 2013, specializes in manufacturing stainless-steel-and-wood beer brewing machines and systems. The company also provides a mobile application that enables users to brew beer conveniently. Brewbot serves a diverse clientele including restaurants, companies, bars, and breweries across the United Kingdom and the United States. Based in San Carlos, California, Brewbot is driven by a multidisciplinary team of designers and developers from Belfast, N. Ireland, who bring varied backgrounds and a shared passion for brewing to their work.

Flowtify GmbH is a company based in Cologne, Germany, that specializes in developing and operating a hygiene and quality management platform specifically designed for the food service industry. Established in 2015, the company provides an online platform that allows users to manage hygiene protocols and quality assurance processes efficiently through a web dashboard and a mobile application. Flowtify's software enables users to implement HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) documents in compliance with EU regulations, facilitating traceable documentation of hygiene practices. The platform supports paperless checklists and cloud archiving, allowing employees to conduct self-checks with the assistance of multimedia resources. Additionally, the system can automatically notify relevant personnel in the event of any abnormalities, thereby helping businesses reduce risks, lower costs, and maintain high standards of quality.

Brewbot, Inc., founded in 2013, specializes in manufacturing stainless-steel-and-wood beer brewing machines and systems. The company also provides a mobile application that enables users to brew beer conveniently. Brewbot serves a diverse clientele including restaurants, companies, bars, and breweries across the United Kingdom and the United States. Based in San Carlos, California, Brewbot is driven by a multidisciplinary team of designers and developers from Belfast, N. Ireland, who bring varied backgrounds and a shared passion for brewing to their work.

ParLevel Systems, Inc., established in 2012 and headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, specializes in developing operations management software tailored for the vending industry. The company's primary offering is a comprehensive software suite that provides real-time monitoring, dynamic scheduling, inventory control, and warehouse management capabilities through an intuitive dashboard. Additionally, ParLevel Systems offers hardware solutions, including its flagship product, ParLevel Box, which enables real-time tracking of vending machine activity via cloud-based connectivity, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and profitability for clients in the food and beverage sectors.

Gaia Box is a manufacturer specializing in modular agricultural systems. Their core product, a patented hydroponic system, is designed for sustainable food production and clean energy generation. These self-contained units, featuring integrated grow trays and optional renewable energy integration, allow users to cultivate crops efficiently while minimizing environmental impact and reducing reliance on external resources. The systems are scalable, enabling users to expand their agricultural capacity as needed.