Alumni Ventures

Prado is a software platform that enables local meal prep delivery companies to efficiently market, sell, fulfill, and ship perishable products. By offering a customizable digital experience, Prado provides entrepreneurs with an economical and reliable technology solution that allows them to manage their supply chains and grow their businesses. The platform facilitates the transition of food and beverage businesses to an online environment, enabling clients to compete in areas such as online ordering, meal prep, subscriptions, and delivery. This support helps business owners scale their operations, maximize revenues, and minimize waste, ultimately allowing chefs to focus on their culinary craft while health-conscious consumers enjoy their meals.

Ingrediome focuses on producing key animal proteins to revolutionize meat alternatives. Ingrediome was founded in 2022 and was headquartered in Ness Ziona, Israel.

Dom's Kitchen & Market is a grocery store chain based in Chicago, Illinois, founded in 2021. The company aims to create a unique food destination that integrates shopping, restaurant dining, and home delivery services. It focuses on providing well-crafted, locally sourced, and globally inspired food, fostering a welcoming environment for customers to explore and enjoy diverse culinary experiences. Dom's Kitchen & Market emphasizes community engagement and hospitality, encouraging consumers to share and learn about food while relaxing in a vibrant atmosphere.

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

Gooder Foods is a manufacturer of processed food products. The company offers veggie-boosted, protein-packed, mac and cheese, helping customers have healthy options in packaged food products.

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

Gooder Foods is a manufacturer of processed food products. The company offers veggie-boosted, protein-packed, mac and cheese, helping customers have healthy options in packaged food products.

Prado is a software platform that enables local meal prep delivery companies to efficiently market, sell, fulfill, and ship perishable products. By offering a customizable digital experience, Prado provides entrepreneurs with an economical and reliable technology solution that allows them to manage their supply chains and grow their businesses. The platform facilitates the transition of food and beverage businesses to an online environment, enabling clients to compete in areas such as online ordering, meal prep, subscriptions, and delivery. This support helps business owners scale their operations, maximize revenues, and minimize waste, ultimately allowing chefs to focus on their culinary craft while health-conscious consumers enjoy their meals.

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

PathSpot is a company focused on developing contaminant detection devices that identify food-borne pathogens. Its technology employs advanced algorithms to filter, process, and analyze surfaces, cooking utensils, and employees' hands for harmful bacteria. By providing instant detection of invisible pathogens, PathSpot's devices help clients safeguard against foodborne illnesses, ensuring a safer environment in food preparation and handling.

Dom's Kitchen & Market is a grocery store chain based in Chicago, Illinois, founded in 2021. The company aims to create a unique food destination that integrates shopping, restaurant dining, and home delivery services. It focuses on providing well-crafted, locally sourced, and globally inspired food, fostering a welcoming environment for customers to explore and enjoy diverse culinary experiences. Dom's Kitchen & Market emphasizes community engagement and hospitality, encouraging consumers to share and learn about food while relaxing in a vibrant atmosphere.

Mozza engages in developing the science to create real dairy cheese from plants. Its mission is to make cheese from plants that are indistinguishable from cheese that comes from animals. The company was founded in 2018 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.

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

Oobli specializes in the development of healthy, protein-based sweeteners sourced from exotic plants. These unique compounds offer a flavorful experience without the calories typically associated with sugar, making them a suitable alternative for health-conscious consumers. The protein sweeteners are produced through fermentation, ensuring they have no glycemic impact and do not disrupt the gut microbiome. Oobli has successfully obtained regulatory approvals, including FDA "no questions" letters and GRAS status for several of its proteins, reinforcing their commitment to safety and quality. By providing a delicious and low-calorie option, Oobli aims to transform the way individuals approach sweeteners, allowing for healthier choices in everyday consumption.

Here Holdings, LLC is a food and beverage company based in Chicago, Illinois, that specializes in producing cold press juices, dips, and spreads. The product lineup features a variety of juices made from ingredients such as pineapple, celery, apple, turmeric, and kale, among others. Additionally, the company offers a selection of dips, including black bean tomato, edamame pea sesame, and curry lentil. Here Holdings is committed to utilizing Midwest produce and emphasizes values such as trust, transparency, and community in its operations.

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

Duffl is a delivery service that specializes in providing snacks and drinks to college students within a rapid 10-minute timeframe. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Duffl operates at several major universities, including UCLA, USC, UCSB, and UC Berkeley. The service utilizes electric scooters to navigate routes that are inaccessible to cars, allowing for quick and efficient delivery. By eliminating the need for mandatory sign-ups or credit card information, Duffl offers a convenient solution for students seeking easy access to packaged food on campus.

OLIO is a free mobile application founded in 2015 and based in London, designed to connect neighbors for the sharing of surplus food and other items, thereby reducing waste. The app allows users to list unwanted food items by posting photos, facilitating local sharing instead of disposal. OLIO not only connects individuals but also engages volunteers and local businesses to redistribute unsold or unserved food, addressing the issue of food waste while promoting community engagement. By fostering these connections, OLIO aims to combat climate change and transform societal attitudes towards waste management.

Gooder Foods is a manufacturer of processed food products. The company offers veggie-boosted, protein-packed, mac and cheese, helping customers have healthy options in packaged food products.

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

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

KetoNatural Pet Foods, Inc. is a pet food company based in Salt Lake City, Utah, focused on producing low-carbohydrate, high-protein dry food and treats for dogs. Established in 2017, the company aims to provide healthy nutrition options that align with a raw diet approach. Its products are designed to ensure quality nutrition for pets, catering to the growing demand for healthier pet food alternatives.

Longève Brands is a line of shelf-stable, pea protein products for those who like to cook.

Thistle is a healthy food and juice company that delivers fully-prepared, plant-forward meals to the doorsteps of its customers. It makes eating nutritious, organic, and local foods incredibly convenient and accessible. They believe that by removing the major existing hurdles to consumers (no time to make a meal; too expensive to eat healthy; bad local options), they can empower our customers to make great choices for themselves, their family, and the environment. It was founded in 2013 and is based in San Francisco, California.

Anycart is a meal discovery and grocery shopping platform based in Mountain View, California. It allows users to search for meals they want to cook and provides relevant recipes, automatically adding the necessary ingredients to a preferred grocery delivery service cart. The platform features step-by-step video cooking instructions, making meal preparation straightforward and accessible. Additionally, Anycart suggests alternative recipes that can utilize leftover ingredients, enhancing efficiency in meal planning. Originally established in 2019 during the Amazon Alexa Accelerator in Seattle, the company aims to simplify the grocery shopping experience and promote homemade cooking.

Picnic is an innovative online supermarket that focuses on delivering groceries directly to consumers' homes at competitive prices without any delivery fees. The company's platform enables users to conveniently place orders for fast-moving consumer goods, sourcing products from local suppliers such as bakers and greengrocers. Picnic utilizes electric vehicles for its delivery operations, ensuring an environmentally friendly approach to grocery shopping. By combining technology with a modern take on traditional home delivery services, Picnic aims to provide a seamless and cost-effective shopping experience for its customers.

Zero Grocery provides a convenient zero-waste grocery delivery service. Zero Grocery's mission is to remove single-use plastics from the food system so customers will receive groceries in reusable containers.

Oobli specializes in the development of healthy, protein-based sweeteners sourced from exotic plants. These unique compounds offer a flavorful experience without the calories typically associated with sugar, making them a suitable alternative for health-conscious consumers. The protein sweeteners are produced through fermentation, ensuring they have no glycemic impact and do not disrupt the gut microbiome. Oobli has successfully obtained regulatory approvals, including FDA "no questions" letters and GRAS status for several of its proteins, reinforcing their commitment to safety and quality. By providing a delicious and low-calorie option, Oobli aims to transform the way individuals approach sweeteners, allowing for healthier choices in everyday consumption.

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

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

Rise Gardens LLC specializes in creating and marketing indoor hydroponic gardening systems that enable consumers to grow their own food year-round. The company offers a modular system that can accommodate various types of plants, including herbs, greens, vegetables, and flowers. Each system includes a physical appliance and The Rise Gardens application, which assists users in tracking plant growth and provides guidance on fertilization. By making home gardening more accessible and enjoyable, Rise Gardens aims to strengthen the connection between individuals and the food they consume. Founded in 2017 and based in Skokie, Illinois, the company previously operated under the name Harvest2O, LLC, and primarily sells its products online.

Anycart is a meal discovery and grocery shopping platform based in Mountain View, California. It allows users to search for meals they want to cook and provides relevant recipes, automatically adding the necessary ingredients to a preferred grocery delivery service cart. The platform features step-by-step video cooking instructions, making meal preparation straightforward and accessible. Additionally, Anycart suggests alternative recipes that can utilize leftover ingredients, enhancing efficiency in meal planning. Originally established in 2019 during the Amazon Alexa Accelerator in Seattle, the company aims to simplify the grocery shopping experience and promote homemade cooking.

Fresh Bowl, Inc. is a food company based in New York that specializes in providing fresh-prepared meals through innovative vending machines. Founded in 2017, the company offers a unique zero-packaging waste solution for on-the-go dining, featuring a variety of products including salads, snacks, beverages, and signature smoothie bowls. These vending machines are stocked daily and utilize environmentally friendly glass jars to promote sustainability. Fresh Bowl aims to deliver convenient, healthy food options while minimizing its ecological footprint, making it a pioneering player in the sustainable food vending market.

Future/Proof develops beverage brands for millennial customers. Justin Fenchel, Aimy Steadman, and Brad Schultz founded it in 2019, with its headquarters in Austin in Texas.

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

GrubMarket, Inc. is an online marketplace that connects sellers with customers by offering a wide range of food and related products at wholesale prices. Founded in 2014 and based in San Francisco, California, GrubMarket specializes in organic, vegan, gluten-free items, fresh produce, snacks, beverages, pantry staples, home goods, health and beauty products, and items for pets and children. The company sources food from local farms, fisheries, commercial kitchens, and restaurants, emphasizing quality and sustainability. In addition to its marketplace, GrubMarket provides a Software-as-a-Service platform designed for food delivery services and also features a gaming application called GrubMarket FarmBox. As a significant player in the B2B eCommerce sector of the American food supply chain, GrubMarket leverages artificial intelligence to enhance its services and operations.

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

Smitten Ice Cream is a business dedicated to producing fresh-churned ice cream using unprocessed and sustainably sourced ingredients. The company operates a chain of ice cream stores that offer a diverse selection of flavors, including candy bar, roasted banana, milk and honey, salted caramel, huckleberry cream, and classic vanilla. Smitten Ice Cream emphasizes the use of organic milk and cream sourced from local farms, ensuring that their products are both delicious and environmentally responsible. Each serving is hand-rolled, providing customers with a unique and enjoyable ice cream experience.

DOTS (Detection On The Spot) is changing the field of point of care detection with a revolutionary diagnostics platform with consumer and industrial applications. For the millions of consumers with food allergies, DOTS is creating a food allergen detection system to test food on the spot, provide more information for better decisions, and improve overall quality of life .

Replenish specializes in the production of self-cleaning blenders designed for the preparation of healthy smoothies and snacks. The company offers a range of convenient cups filled with an assortment of fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts, all flash-frozen at peak ripeness to maintain their vitamins and nutrients. This innovative approach allows users to enjoy all-natural ingredients at their optimal freshness, making it easier to incorporate healthy eating into daily routines at home or in the office.

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

Lish is an e-commerce company founded in 2014 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington. It operates a B2B technology platform that connects offices with local chefs, restaurants, and food service providers to enhance workplace food programs. By specializing in corporate catering and office food delivery, Lish enables companies of all sizes to offer their employees a variety of meal options, including recurring catering services and one-time orders. The platform facilitates the discovery and ordering of healthy, home-cooked meals, ensuring that clients receive reliable and satisfying food solutions tailored to their needs.

Lish is an e-commerce company founded in 2014 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington. It operates a B2B technology platform that connects offices with local chefs, restaurants, and food service providers to enhance workplace food programs. By specializing in corporate catering and office food delivery, Lish enables companies of all sizes to offer their employees a variety of meal options, including recurring catering services and one-time orders. The platform facilitates the discovery and ordering of healthy, home-cooked meals, ensuring that clients receive reliable and satisfying food solutions tailored to their needs.

Smart Lunches, Inc. is an online food ordering and delivery service that specializes in providing lunches for children at schools, child care centers, and summer camps across several regions including Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, New Jersey, Georgia, and Washington D.C. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, the company offers a diverse menu that includes hot and cold main dishes, sides, snacks, soups, and drinks, all prepared by local catering partners. Smart Lunches aims to simplify the process of ordering nutritious meals for students, ensuring convenience for parents and enhancing the lunch experience for children. The platform allows parents to customize their children's meals, which are then hand-delivered to schools before lunchtime.