Artesian VC

Artesian VC is an alternative investment management company that specializes in early-stage venture capital, particularly in the clean energy sector. Established in 2004 after spinning out from ANZ Banking Group, the company has evolved to manage a range of specialized funds, with a focus on seed and follow-on investments in startups sourced from approved accelerators, incubators, and academic programs. Artesian's investment strategy emphasizes partnerships with leading organizations in the startup ecosystem, enabling it to identify and support high-potential ventures. With offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Shanghai, New York, London, and Singapore, the company has built a global presence and has successfully raised over AUD 255 million for its various funds. Additionally, Artesian has expanded its reach through initiatives like its China VC Fund and plans for a Southeast Asia VC Fund, underscoring its commitment to fostering innovation in diverse markets.

Matthew Clunies-Ross

Managing Partner

Tim Heasley

Partner and COO

Felix Zhang

Partner

Past deals in Food

Whole

Seed Round in 2023
Whole develops innovative technology focused on grains, pulses, fruits, and vegetables. This input-agnostic solution maximizes nutrition and minimizes waste, enabling food manufacturers to create tasty, nutritious products that cater to health-conscious consumers while promoting sustainability.

Journey Foods

Venture Round in 2023
Journey Foods is a technology company that empowers food businesses with AI-driven software. Its platform optimizes product development by providing real-time ingredient data, supply chain insights, and collaborative tools. This enables manufacturers to streamline operations, enhance traceability, and improve decision-making.

GROUNDED

Seed Round in 2022
Grounded is a London-based food and beverage company founded in 2016, specializing in the production of healthy natural drinks. The company focuses on creating low-sugar and plant-based beverages, including protein milkshakes made from coconut milk. Grounded uses only raw ingredients sourced from nature, ensuring that its products provide a flavorful and nutritious alternative to traditional drinks. The packaging is environmentally friendly, utilizing materials derived from plants, which aligns with the company's commitment to sustainability while catering to health-conscious consumers.

On2Cook

Seed Round in 2022
On2Cook is a manufacturer of smart kitchen appliances focused on faster, convenient cooking. The company develops a patent-granted device that can cook with flame and microwaves simultaneously, using a combination of induction heating, flame, and safe microwave technology. The system aims to preserve color, texture, and water-soluble nutrients while reducing cooking time. It includes an IoT-enabled app that supports automated cooking and connections to food delivery services, as well as recipe sharing. The device is designed to streamline home cooking and enable seamless integration with digital food services, offering users a more efficient, versatile cooking experience.

Harmony Baby Nutrition

Seed Round in 2022
Harmony is a biotechnology startup that creates human breast milk protein-based infant nutrition designed to help human babies thrive. It is the world’s first dairy-free, allergen-free and environmentally friendly infant nutrition. Harmony Baby Nutrition was established in 2018 and is based in Boston, MA.

Zero Cow Factory

Pre Seed Round in 2022
Zero Cow Factory is pioneering the production of animal-free milk protein and dairy products using bioengineering and precision fermentation. Their patented technology replicates nature-identical milk proteins, creating ethical, safe, and delicious alternatives to traditional dairy products that are free from lactose, antibiotics, hormones, cholesterol, and saturated fat. This process is also environmentally friendly, requiring significantly less land, water, energy, and greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional dairy production.

Avant Meats

Venture Round in 2022
Avant Meats specializes in developing sustainable, cell-based animal protein products. They focus on innovation, branding, and intellectual property to create fish protein products free from heavy metals and microplastics.

CoLab

Seed Round in 2022
CoLab is an online marketplace specializing in food and beverage products, including ready-made meals, fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, eggs, dairy, and desserts. The platform allows customers to conveniently select a variety of food items with long shelf life from multiple brands in a single order. By facilitating home delivery, CoLab aims to enhance the dining experience while also promoting sustainability by helping to reduce food waste. The company partners with popular restaurants to provide prepared meals, ensuring a diverse selection for its users.

Fresh Supply

Series A in 2022
Fresh Supply Co. Pty. Ltd. is an Australian company based in Brisbane that offers blockchain solutions specifically for the agricultural sector. Established in 2017, the company focuses on enhancing food production and logistics systems through blockchain technology. Its services include tracking the provenance and logistics of horticultural and value-added food products, as well as providing payment solutions. Fresh Supply Co. also specializes in marketing automation and analytics, aiming to improve efficiency and transparency within the agricultural supply chain.

Aggie Global

Venture Round in 2022
Aggie Global operates a two-sided marketplace and social enterprise that connects local buyers with smallholder farmers in Fiji and Australia, enabling access to locally grown produce. The platform functions as a demand-driven marketplace where buyers can purchase from multiple farmers in a few clicks, while featuring farmer stories and education on local seasonality and buyer requirements to improve market linkages and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

HakkoBako

Venture Round in 2022
HakkoBako specializes in a smart fermentation device designed for professional chefs, facilitating the creation of distinctive flavors through consistent and controlled fermentation processes. Utilizing advanced thermodynamic technology and Internet-of-Things components, the device simplifies the fermentation of a variety of foods and beverages, including bread, cheese, salami, beer, yogurt, kombucha, and miso. By providing a reliable and user-friendly solution, HakkoBako empowers chefs to enhance their culinary creations with precision and ease.

Voly

Seed Round in 2021
VOLY is an online supermarket and delivery service that specializes in instant grocery delivery. Established in 2021 by Mark Heath and Thibault Henry, the company offers a wide range of essential household items, including fresh produce, baby formula, and cleaning supplies. VOLY's platform sources products directly from suppliers and utilizes its own micro-fulfillment centers to streamline the shopping experience. By employing full-time staff for deliveries, VOLY enables users to avoid the time-consuming task of visiting physical retail stores, making grocery shopping more convenient and efficient.

CoLab

Seed Round in 2021
CoLab is an online marketplace specializing in food and beverage products, including ready-made meals, fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, eggs, dairy, and desserts. The platform allows customers to conveniently select a variety of food items with long shelf life from multiple brands in a single order. By facilitating home delivery, CoLab aims to enhance the dining experience while also promoting sustainability by helping to reduce food waste. The company partners with popular restaurants to provide prepared meals, ensuring a diverse selection for its users.

Harmony Baby Nutrition

Seed Round in 2021
Harmony is a biotechnology startup that creates human breast milk protein-based infant nutrition designed to help human babies thrive. It is the world’s first dairy-free, allergen-free and environmentally friendly infant nutrition. Harmony Baby Nutrition was established in 2018 and is based in Boston, MA.

Orbillion Bio

Seed Round in 2021
Orbillion Bio, Inc. is a food-tech company based in Fremont, California, focused on developing cultured meat products derived from heritage cattle breeds. Founded in 2019, the company utilizes small tissue samples from high-quality heritage animals to produce premium cell-based meat products. Orbillion Bio aims to harness the potential of cell-cultured meat to provide delicious and nutritious food that is sustainable and accessible. By sourcing heritage cell lines directly from farmers, the company emphasizes a commitment to quality and sustainability in its production processes.

Aurora Foods

Venture Round in 2021
Aurora Foods aims to be a product that can be enjoyed by anyone and everyone, its products strive to be healthier than traditional sweets by using patented technology that enables slower sugar release in the bloodstream.

FairFlavor Foods

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
FairFlavor develops nutritious vegan alternative dairy food made of a super nut from Indonesia using a patented fermentation technology

Fybraworks Foods

Seed Round in 2021
Fybraworks Foods, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, focused on developing alternative meat substitutes through innovative fermentation techniques. Founded in 2020, the company specializes in creating animal-free meat structural proteins and synthetic meat, aiming to replicate the taste and texture of traditional meat products. By leveraging its advanced technological solutions, Fybraworks Foods enables both industry leaders and individual consumers to access sustainable meat alternatives, thus promoting humane practices and reducing environmental impact associated with animal agriculture.

Bugsolutely

Venture Round in 2021
Bugsolutely designs and produces insect-based foods intended to transform sustainable protein into everyday eating. It offers cricket flour pasta, including varieties with 20% cricket flour, and markets silkworm-based products. The range emphasizes nutritious proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fiber from edible insects as a practical alternative to conventional protein sources, targeting health-conscious and environmentally minded consumers.

Naka Foods

Seed Round in 2021
Naka Foods is focused on developing micro algae-based. After the market launch of the Spirulina nutrition bar.

Has Algae

Venture Round in 2021
Has Algae develops food-grade microalgae products aimed at enhancing the nutritional content of everyday foods. Their offerings address common nutrient deficiencies in plant-based diets, particularly omega fatty acids, providing a comprehensive source of nutrients including fats, proteins, and omegas.

CoLab

Seed Round in 2021
CoLab is an online marketplace specializing in food and beverage products, including ready-made meals, fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, eggs, dairy, and desserts. The platform allows customers to conveniently select a variety of food items with long shelf life from multiple brands in a single order. By facilitating home delivery, CoLab aims to enhance the dining experience while also promoting sustainability by helping to reduce food waste. The company partners with popular restaurants to provide prepared meals, ensuring a diverse selection for its users.

The Raging Pig Company

Pre Seed Round in 2021
The Raging Pig Company is a German foodtech startup based in Hamburg, founded in 2022. It develops and distributes plant-based pork alternatives, focusing on products such as vegan bacon and a German sausage alternative. The company aims to reduce animal farming by offering cruelty-free pork substitutes and healthier plant-based options, with the goal of replacing 1.5 billion pigs in the global food system.

Upfood IVS

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Upfood is a food tech company upcycling surplus fresh produce and industry side streams into nutritious vegan ingredients.

Caskai

Venture Round in 2021
Caskai is a company that specializes in transforming coffee byproducts, specifically cascara, into innovative beverages. Cascara, the dried fruit of the coffee cherry, serves as the primary ingredient in Caskai's products, which are designed to provide a refreshing and health-conscious alternative to traditional drinks. These lightly carbonated, non-alcoholic beverages are rich in antioxidants and offer a variety of benefits, making them suitable for consumption during a workday or after physical activity. By utilizing cascara, Caskai not only creates enjoyable beverages but also contributes to sustainability by upcycling a byproduct that would otherwise be considered waste in the coffee production process.

Cell Farm

Venture Round in 2021
Cell Farm is a pioneering clean meat startup based in Latin America, focused on developing and standardizing biotechnological processes to produce meat from animal stem cells. By cultivating meat from these cells instead of raising animals, Cell Farm aims to provide a sustainable alternative that addresses environmental concerns, promotes consumer health, and adheres to ethical standards. The company plays a significant role in transforming the food system, contributing to a more sustainable future for humanity.

QA Chef

Venture Round in 2021
QA Chef is a developer of a digital food safety traceability system aimed at enhancing compliance processes within large-volume catering facilities. The company's innovative technology incorporates a camera, barcode scanner, and infrared sensor to monitor food preparation, record safety data, and ensure accurate time and temperature tracking. By providing real-time insights into stock levels and facilitating instant reconciliation of procurement, QA Chef streamlines operations between quality assurance teams and chefs. This integration not only minimizes gaps and inaccuracies in food safety data but also enhances communication, boosts morale, and reduces staff turnover. Overall, QA Chef is transforming the catering industry by digitizing the vital processes of food safety record-keeping, ultimately allowing clients to achieve ingredient-to-customer traceability while increasing operational efficiency and productivity.

Cerealthy

Venture Round in 2021
Cerealthy is an innovative company that specializes in producing the first vegetable milk capsules designed for use in coffee machines. Focusing on natural and vegan products, Cerealthy utilizes non-GMO nuts and grains to create its offerings, promoting a sustainable, plant-based approach. The company aims to cater to a diverse customer base, including individuals with lactose intolerance, by providing nutritious alternatives that align with contemporary dietary preferences. Through its unique product line, Cerealthy addresses the growing demand for convenient and healthy food solutions.

Voly

Pre Seed Round in 2021
VOLY is an online supermarket and delivery service that specializes in instant grocery delivery. Established in 2021 by Mark Heath and Thibault Henry, the company offers a wide range of essential household items, including fresh produce, baby formula, and cleaning supplies. VOLY's platform sources products directly from suppliers and utilizes its own micro-fulfillment centers to streamline the shopping experience. By employing full-time staff for deliveries, VOLY enables users to avoid the time-consuming task of visiting physical retail stores, making grocery shopping more convenient and efficient.

Avant Meats

Seed Round in 2020
Avant Meats specializes in developing sustainable, cell-based animal protein products. They focus on innovation, branding, and intellectual property to create fish protein products free from heavy metals and microplastics.

SupplyNote

Seed Round in 2020
SupplyNote is a B2B platform that specializes in streamlining and digitalizing supply chain management for the food and beverage industry. The company focuses on simplifying the procurement process by connecting restaurant owners with suppliers, thereby enhancing transparency, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Its platform provides various solutions, including automated purchasing, vendor management, and real-time inventory tracking. Additionally, SupplyNote offers backend services that support daily restaurant operations, such as food packaging, pest control, housekeeping, and payment processing. By enabling restaurants to reduce turnaround times and execution costs, SupplyNote allows businesses to concentrate on their core competencies and enhances the overall logistics and inventory management within the food industry.

Shandi

Seed Round in 2020
Shandi Global is a company focused on developing technology for the production of plant-based meat substitutes that closely mimic the amino acid and protein profiles of traditional meats. This innovation aims to expand the versatility of plant-based offerings beyond conventional formats like patties, nuggets, and sausages. Shandi's products are crafted from organic natural ingredients such as water, beans, lentils, cold-pressed oil, herbs, and vegetables. This commitment to using wholesome components allows businesses to integrate plant-based options into their menus without altering existing recipes, promoting accessibility and affordability in the plant-based food market.

InvertiGro

Venture Round in 2020
InvertiGro specializes in creating innovative indoor vertical farming solutions designed to address sustainable and affordable food production challenges. The company offers comprehensive services that encompass the design, construction, supply, and support of flexible farming systems, allowing businesses to transform indoor spaces into efficient rural-scale farms. InvertiGro's systems can cultivate a diverse array of crops, including microgreens, leafy greens, mushrooms, and medicinal plants, as well as flowers and soft fruits. These fully integrated solutions enable clients to begin planting, growing, and harvesting within weeks, ensuring a reliable supply of high-quality fresh produce. By providing cost-effective and efficient farming alternatives, InvertiGro aims to contribute to the future of food sustainability.

Pak360

Seed Round in 2020
Pak360 is a manufacturer that specializes in disposable takeaway packaging solutions made from sustainable materials. The company focuses on producing recyclable products that are tree-free and free from petroleum plastics, utilizing materials leftover from food production or specifically grown for packaging purposes. By prioritizing environmental sustainability, Pak360 enables its clients to create packaging that is not only functional but also suitable for commercial composting, thereby contributing to a reduction in waste and promoting eco-friendly practices in the food service industry.

Never Farm

Seed Round in 2020
Never Farm is an automated vertical farming start-up that specializes in the production of exotic mushrooms. The company employs advanced technology to automate the entire mushroom cultivation process, integrating extensive research and agricultural expertise with data analytics. This innovative approach allows farmers to implement automated farming systems, enhancing efficiency and contributing to food security. Through its focus on vertical farming, Never Farm aims to revolutionize the way exotic mushrooms are grown, ensuring a sustainable and reliable supply for consumers.

Spoonshot

Pre Seed Round in 2019
Spoonshot develops an AI-driven mobile app and online platform that provides food science and customer behavior analytics for the food and beverage industry. It offers personalized insights, including menu development, recipe selection, and customer reviews, to help clients anticipate trends and innovate effectively.

Phuture

Seed Round in 2019
Phuture Limited is a Hong Kong-based company founded in 2018 that specializes in producing plant-based minced meat products. Focused on sustainability, Phuture aims to provide alternatives to traditional meat by offering non-genetically modified, halal options that closely mimic the taste and texture of pork. The company's proprietary processing technology incorporates rice into its product blend, enhancing the flavor and mouthfeel to create a satisfying experience for consumers. Through innovation in food technology, Phuture seeks to redefine the culinary landscape and promote healthier lifestyles by making plant-based eating more accessible and enjoyable.

Plento

Pre Seed Round in 2019
Plento produces alternative protein-based snacks using a blend of insect and plant proteins. Their products aim to be high in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals while being low in carbohydrates and saturated fats. They are free from common allergens like gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts, and soy, catering to diverse dietary preferences.

Off the Table

Seed Round in 2019
Off the Table is a travel arrangements company that operates a food marketing platform in Australia. It focuses on promoting agritourism, connecting food enthusiasts with various farms and food producers beyond traditional restaurant dining. Through its application, Off the Table enables customers to discover and experience regional foods, fostering a greater understanding of their origins. This innovative approach allows users to explore diverse culinary experiences while supporting local agriculture and food communities.

Hey You

Venture Round in 2019
Hey You is Australia's leading order ahead platform, boasting over 1 million users and more than 35 million orders processed to date. The company provides a mobile application that allows customers to conveniently order and pay for food from various businesses, enhancing the dining experience through features like contactless takeaway and digitized menus for dine-in service. This platform facilitates seamless transactions and empowers restaurants to manage self-delivery, ultimately reducing operational friction and allowing businesses to focus on fostering genuine customer relationships.

Spoonshot

Pre Seed Round in 2018
Spoonshot develops an AI-driven mobile app and online platform that provides food science and customer behavior analytics for the food and beverage industry. It offers personalized insights, including menu development, recipe selection, and customer reviews, to help clients anticipate trends and innovate effectively.

NoshPos

Seed Round in 2018
NoshPos is a developer of an integrated electronic point-of-sale (E-POS) system tailored for food and beverage delivery businesses. The company offers a comprehensive solution that encompasses online ordering, delivery management, point-of-sale operations, kitchen coordination, and back-office functions. NoshPos's system facilitates essential features such as confirmation emails, printable receipts, and content management, while also allowing for customizable delivery time slots and fees. Additionally, it supports discounts and loyalty programs, ensuring that businesses can effectively manage their online orders. The system is designed to maintain synchronization between the front-end POS and back-office operations, enabling clients to enhance customer satisfaction and streamline their delivery processes.

True NOSH

Pre Seed Round in 2018
True Nosh is an online marketplace and café that sell gluten Free and sugar-free foods.

Snack Proud

Seed Round in 2018
Snack Proud is an online retailer specializing in healthy food products, particularly snacks and drinks designed for office environments. The company provides a platform that features locally sourced snacks, which are rich in fiber and protein, appealing to health-conscious consumers. In addition to offering a variety of nutritious options, Snack Proud also supports businesses with kitchen services, catering, and branding initiatives aimed at enhancing workplace culture. This focus on healthy eating helps employees maintain proper diets and promotes overall well-being while at work.

Applant

Seed Round in 2017
Applant is an ag-tech startup based in Melbourne, Australia, focused on urban agriculture. Founded in 2016, the company provides an innovative platform that enables urban communities to grow plants vertically, using a self-watering vertical garden system that requires neither soil nor electricity. This sustainable approach to agriculture allows both commercial and hobby growers to cultivate fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers year-round, while utilizing significantly less water than traditional growing methods. By equipping users with the tools and knowledge necessary for successful urban gardening, Applant aims to enhance food quality and accessibility within local communities.

eBev.com

Seed Round in 2016
eBev operates an online marketplace designed to streamline the wholesale beverage industry for hospitality businesses. By connecting beverage buyers with a variety of suppliers, eBev simplifies the ordering and inventory management processes. Its platform allows users to search for products, place orders, and manage transactions efficiently. Additionally, eBev provides tools for performance analysis and communication, making it easier for clients to handle their beverage needs in a modern and user-friendly environment. The company aims to enhance the procurement experience for hospitality venues by offering comprehensive digital solutions.

Cookitoo

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

Chewsr

Seed Round in 2016
Chewsr is transforming the Quick Service Restaurant sector by introducing its Visual Order System™, which enhances the food ordering experience for consumers. The company's platform allows users to place orders directly from their smartphones, streamlining the process and integrating seamlessly with point of sale systems. By focusing on visual appeal, Chewsr enables customers to view menus through full-color photographs, making the ordering experience more engaging. The platform also supports dietary preferences and allergies, further simplifying the ordering process while saving time for both customers and staff. With a flexible API that integrates with a majority of popular POS systems, Chewsr offers customizable solutions that empower food businesses to efficiently manage menu updates and improve customer service. Overall, Chewsr aims to optimize the food ordering experience, allowing restaurants to allocate more time to food preparation and customer interaction, ultimately enhancing profitability.

HowAboutEat

Seed Round in 2015
HowAboutEat is a food delivery service catering to professionals by providing lunch from a variety of restaurants directly to their workplaces. Founded in 2015 by Serg Metelin and Giovanni Ravone, the company is based in Sydney, New South Wales. HowAboutEat's platform allows customers to place orders through text messages, ensuring a simple and efficient ordering process. It offers a diverse menu selection and charges only a nominal delivery fee, making it an accessible option for those seeking convenient meal solutions during their workday.

Hey You

Seed Round in 2012
Hey You is Australia's leading order ahead platform, boasting over 1 million users and more than 35 million orders processed to date. The company provides a mobile application that allows customers to conveniently order and pay for food from various businesses, enhancing the dining experience through features like contactless takeaway and digitized menus for dine-in service. This platform facilitates seamless transactions and empowers restaurants to manage self-delivery, ultimately reducing operational friction and allowing businesses to focus on fostering genuine customer relationships.

Posse

Seed Round in 2010
Posse is a provider of a shopping recommendation service platform that enables users to discover and share recommendations for food retailers and other local experiences worldwide. The platform features a social search engine that helps users identify places to eat, drink, and shop based on suggestions from their social network and insights from experts such as chefs, designers, and musicians. By leveraging social connections, Posse allows users to explore local options tailored to their preferences, enhancing the experience of finding and enjoying various activities within their community.
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