MassChallenge

Little Bandits is a brand dedicated to providing dairy-free and soya-free food products specifically designed for children, addressing the growing concerns surrounding food allergies and the demand for plant-based diets. Founded with inspiration from the founder's son's food allergies, the company offers a range of coconut milk-based yogurts that are low in sugar and fortified with essential vitamins and minerals such as D2, B12, and iodine. These products aim to ensure that children have access to healthy, fun-tasting, and allergy-friendly options that align with vegan dietary preferences, filling a gap in the children's free-from food category.

Sophie's BioNutrients is focused on creating sustainable plant-based protein derived from microalgae through advanced fermentation technologies. The company specializes in optimizing strains, precision fermentation, and protein extraction to produce a high-purity protein powder. This innovative product offers various functionalities, catering to the food industry, particularly for the development of imitation seafood products. By leveraging fermentation methods, Sophie's BioNutrients aims to enhance the availability of alternative protein sources while promoting sustainability in food production.

FermBiotics is a microbiome company dedicated to enhancing gut health globally. The company specializes in the development of sustainable, fermented plant and seaweed ingredients that serve as food components, dietary supplements, and medical foods. By integrating prebiotics, probiotics, and bioactive compounds, FermBiotics has created a novel category of fermented products aimed at promoting a positive gut microbiome. This innovation supports both human and animal health, enabling families and pet owners to assist the elderly and their animals in maintaining optimal gut health.

Digbi Health, LLC provides digital therapeutics services. It offers health programs, such as weight loss diets for skin and gut disorders, hypertension, elevated cholesterol, and diabetes. It also provides an online application to track 9-key metrics, such as stress, energy, and weight. The company is based in Mountain View, California with additional offices in Bengaluru, Karnataka and Taguig, Philippines.

Producer prebiotic teas intended to provide a healthy gut. The company's teas are packed with functional herbs and flowers have low to no sugar and have digestive benefits and better taste which contribute to the overall body's well-being through their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, enabling customers to have an improved immune response and a proper digestive health.

Nutrifix Ltd is a London-based company that specializes in developing a nutrition app aimed at helping users find healthy meal options nearby. Founded in 2016, the app offers personalized scores for various dishes and snacks, allowing users to sort and filter meals based on their nutritional benefits and dietary needs. In addition to providing meal suggestions, Nutrifix collaborates with delivery partners to facilitate the delivery of these meals. The company also operates a B2B and B2B2C platform, which offers companies a virtual staff canteen and employees a personalized weekly meal plan sourced from local restaurants and catering services. This service allows companies to enhance employee satisfaction through wellness benefits while utilizing anonymized data to shape their overall wellness strategies. Nutrifix combines technology with nutrition to promote healthier eating habits among its users.

A1C Foods is a diabetes nutrition solutions company, creating delicious foods for diabetes and low carbs communities.

IQ Bar, Inc. is a Boston-based company that produces and sells nutrition bars designed to enhance cognitive function and overall brain health. Founded in 2016, the company offers a variety of flavors and emphasizes high-healthy-fat and low-net-carb ingredients, aligning with dietary principles that promote mental acuity. IQ Bar's products are distributed through various retailers and online platforms throughout the United States. The founder's personal journey, which involved overcoming mental fatigue and a lack of focus, inspired the creation of these bars as a form of "brain fuel." By focusing on nutrient-rich snacks, IQ Bar aims to provide consumers with convenient options to support their cognitive performance.

VitaScan is a medical device manufacturing company based in New York, established in 2016. The company specializes in developing portable finger-stick tests that measure vitamin and micronutrient deficiencies. By offering a convenient and cost-effective alternative to traditional nutrition testing, VitaScan aims to transform the market. Its system allows users to accurately monitor their vitamin levels and nutritional status from home, facilitating personal dietary adjustments as needed. This innovative approach enhances accessibility and empowers individuals to take charge of their health and nutrition.

Zoni Foods, Inc., formerly known as Kitchen Table Inc., produces frozen plant-based meal kits and provides its products in stores. The company's products include Coconut Curry Noodles, Sweet Potato Spirals and Zesty Peanut Noodles. The company was founded in 2016 and is based in New Haven, Connecticut.

AKUA is a New York-based company that specializes in manufacturing protein snack foods derived from organic ingredients sourced through regenerative aquaculture. Founded in 2015, the company primarily sells its products online, focusing on delivering nutritious and sustainable food options to consumers.

Operator of an online nutrition platform intended to empower overweight and obese women. The company's platform connects women to inspire healthy eating and helps them to share experiences with other women, enabling users to lose weight and live a healthy lifestyle.

Canomiks provides a genomics, bioinformatics and AI-based Product Superiority Platform that enables companies within the functional food and beverage, dietary supplement and skincare industries to create safe and efficacious products. Canomiks' long-term vision is to make food as medicine a reality.

Manufacturer of healthy beverages intended to provide coffee that gives the energy boost needed to get going in the morning or before a workout. The company's beverages are all-natural coffee that is free of unneeded sugar, carb and fat, enabling consumers to support their health and fitness.

At Halo Life Science their aim is to Elevate Human Potential. After 3 years of research and development they are pleased to announce their initial, patent(s) pending product Naturalin™ - a phytonutrient that puts health and wellness into everything you eat and drink. Naturalin will also come in nutritional supplement forms. Validated safe, functional, and effective by researchers at the Dell Pediatric Research Institute at The University of Texas at Austin. Their mission is to deliver safe, effective, simple, affordable, accessible food and nutritional supplement products to everyone, everywhere.

Bezoar Laboratories focuses on enhancing health for humans, animals, and the environment through innovative microbial solutions. The company develops probiotic medical and pharmaceutical products specifically designed to alleviate gastrointestinal issues, including bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. Their offerings are formulated to be free of gluten and dairy, and they maintain a low acidity level to ensure safety and effectiveness for consumers. By addressing these common health concerns, Bezoar Laboratories aims to improve overall well-being and promote healthier living.

Nutrimedy, Inc. develops and offers an online service and application that allows people to find dietitians across the country based on their preferred language and dietetic need. The company provides nutrition services through its online wellness platforms. Its solutions include Nutrimedy Core, that connects users with dietitians; nuExpecting, connects dietitians with pregnant; and a platform for employees. Its platform enables the delivery of personalized and expert nutritional counseling across a range of conditions from acid reflux to diabetes or celiac. The company was incorporated in 2016 and is based in Brookline, Massachusetts.

Adeo Health Science, Inc. is a Boston-based company that develops and produces organic food products designed for special dietary needs, particularly for infants. Its flagship product, Aralyte, is an organic food that incorporates natural distilled peanut extract and Vitamin D, helping parents implement the LEAP regimen to prevent peanut allergies in babies starting solid foods. Founded in 2014, the company emphasizes biotechnology and translates the latest food allergy prevention research into user-friendly and trusted products for families. Adeo Health Science is committed to providing non-GMO options that support informed dietary choices for children's nutrition.

Mixfit Inc. is a digital health company that specializes in a blockchain-enabled nutrient delivery system. Founded in 2015 and based in Boston, Massachusetts, the company utilizes nutrition science, artificial intelligence, and digital health technologies to analyze users' health data in real-time. This analysis allows Mixfit to dispense personalized nutritional drinks tailored to individual health needs. The company's platform integrates with mobile devices, wearables, and Internet of Healthcare Things (IoHT) devices, offering consumers not only customized nutrition but also wellness-related insights. As of July 2018, Mixfit operates as a subsidiary of Koninklijke DSM N.V., continuing to focus on improving health behaviors and outcomes for health-conscious consumers worldwide.

Totolines specializes in producing healthy snacks made from grasshoppers, which are crafted to promote insect consumption as a sustainable food source. Each snack contains 7 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber, offering a nutritious alternative that parallels the protein content found in a portion of tuna. The products are free from additives, appealing to health-conscious consumers and those concerned about environmental impacts. By focusing on quality and sustainability, Totolines aims to provide a unique snacking option that aligns with modern dietary preferences.

Eat Your Coffee as coffee-deprived college students at Boston’s Northeastern University. Now we’re on a mission to energize lives with nutritious, caffeinated snacks. Every Eat Your Coffee Bar is caffeinated with a full cup of organic, Fair Trade coffee and is packed with real ingredients, so you can feel good with every energizing bite.

DLS is creating new drugs to treat metabolic and cardiovascular diseases by mimicking favorable genotypes/phenotypes in nature. Some people are thinner than others, and DLS has identified a mutation in humans that causes thinness. The mutation in the target protein causes loss-of-function leading to the wasting of energy in the body and results in thinness. DLS is in the process of creating a small molecule inhibitor to the target protein that will similarly cause an inefficient metabolism and lead to thinness regardless of the cause of obesity. Following nature's example provides a safer path to curing obesity.

Superb Smoothies provides delicious, healthy and convenient foods that help to reduce this food waste. Their products are packed with delicious, healthy, fruit and vegetables, super seeds and superfoods with no added sugar, salt or preservatives. These Superb mixes are stored in a cupboard for up to 2 years and are much less likely to be wasted. Not that They will need 2 years to use them. They are confident that they are so delicious and easy to use that they won't last in your cupboard for long.

Brave Foods is a producer of plant-based snacks focused on delivering nutritious and sustainable dietary options. The company offers products made from natural ingredients that are rich in protein and fiber, ensuring they are both vegan and energizing. By emphasizing sustainable nutrition, Brave Foods aims to make healthy eating appealing and accessible for consumers.

Allergy Amulet Inc. is a Madison, Wisconsin-based company founded in 2016 that specializes in the manufacturing and sale of consumer food allergen sensors. Its flagship product, the Allergy Amulet, is recognized as the world's smallest and fastest device for testing food for common allergens, providing results in seconds. Designed for portability, it can be conveniently carried on a keychain, necklace, or wristband, allowing users to maintain safety while enjoying meals. With food allergies affecting approximately 32 million Americans and millions more worldwide, Allergy Amulet aims to enhance the quality of life for individuals with food allergies or intolerances. The company serves a diverse clientele, including families, individuals, and businesses, addressing the critical need for rapid allergen detection in everyday situations.

Real Food Solutions is launching a line of food products for everyday discomforts like nausea and heartburn. Their 1st product, Anchor Bar, is a nutrition bar that prevents and relieves nausea including motion sickness and morning sickness. The patent-pending bar was formulated by a Harvard-MD based on scientific research that links protein, ginger, and vitamins to nausea relief. Anchor Bar is a practical solution for nausea – healthy, no side-effects, convenient, and easy to eat. It’s just food.

Chirps, produced by Six Foods, offers a range of insect protein-based snacks designed to provide a sustainable alternative to conventional snacks. The flagship product, Chirps tortilla chips, is made from cricket flour, boasting three times the protein and half the fat of traditional potato chips. These snacks are non-GMO and gluten-free, catering to health-conscious consumers. The company aims to promote the incorporation of insects into the Western diet, with plans to expand its product line and introduce insect meat to compete with traditional protein sources like beef and pork. This approach emphasizes healthier and more sustainable snacking options for consumers.

Allergy Amulet Inc. is a Madison, Wisconsin-based company founded in 2016 that specializes in the manufacturing and sale of consumer food allergen sensors. Its flagship product, the Allergy Amulet, is recognized as the world's smallest and fastest device for testing food for common allergens, providing results in seconds. Designed for portability, it can be conveniently carried on a keychain, necklace, or wristband, allowing users to maintain safety while enjoying meals. With food allergies affecting approximately 32 million Americans and millions more worldwide, Allergy Amulet aims to enhance the quality of life for individuals with food allergies or intolerances. The company serves a diverse clientele, including families, individuals, and businesses, addressing the critical need for rapid allergen detection in everyday situations.

The Flying Spark Ltd produces protein powder from fruit fly larvae. The products include dietary protein whole powder, reduced fat powder, and oil. The Flying Spark Ltd was founded in 2014 and is based in Ramat Gan, Israel.

Asulia makes all natural, handcrafted fusion foods. At Asulia, they believe healthy tastes delicious and we're obsessed with sharing their love of vegetables. They have a line fusion vegan dumplings in kale, chickpea, and taro root at Whole Foods, Formaggio Kitchen SE and more. Each retail box of delicious dumplings contains 2-3 servings of superfood veggies with low glycemic index ingredients. Nutrition and education changed our life and it can change many others. A portion of proceeds support girls' education.

Ketogen Pharma is a biotechnology company focused on developing a new class of anti-epileptic therapeutics. The company aims to encapsulate the anti-epileptic properties of the ketogenic diet into a pill form, which combines traditional anti-seizure medications with the therapeutic elements of the ketogenic diet. This innovative approach is designed to provide patients with improved treatment options for epilepsy while minimizing side effects associated with conventional drugs. Ketogen Pharma leverages its team's extensive experience in drug development and has successfully created two distinct and patentable chemical series that exhibit enhanced anticonvulsant activity. Through this dual-action strategy, Ketogen Pharma seeks to deliver effective therapies that address the needs of individuals suffering from epilepsy.

Integrative Enzymatics is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing structure-based pharmaceutical products to treat chronic metabolic disorders. The company’s primary offering is an intellectual property portfolio that consists of two drugs used for the treatment of Type I Diabetes Mellitus and Type II Diabetes Mellitus. The efficacy of both pharmaceuticals have been demonstrated in silico, in vitro, and verified through pilot animal studies. Second round animal trials are ongoing. Integrative Enzymatics has developed a proprietary method of designing pharmaceuticals. Their flagship patented drug treats diabetes.

88 Acres is an artisan food startup focused on creating healthy snack foods that are free from the top eight food allergens. The company specializes in producing a variety of products, including pumpkin seed butter, protein bars, and seed bars, all made from simple ingredients. Aimed at fitness enthusiasts and individuals with dietary restrictions, 88 Acres offers a range of diet-friendly options designed for widespread enjoyment.

INRFOOD, Inc. specializes in providing websites and mobile applications designed to help users make informed dietary choices. The company focuses on personalized nutrition, recognizing that each individual has unique dietary needs. Through its INRFOOD APP, users can engage with advanced analytics to track their eating habits, log ingredients and macro nutrients, and receive real-time notifications regarding food products that may pose allergy risks or do not align with their dietary preferences. Additionally, the company offers the Sugar Cube application, which allows users to visualize sugar content in their food. INRFOOD's services are available on major platforms such as iTunes, Google Play, and the App Store. Established in 2011 and headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, INRFOOD aims to enhance the understanding of nutrition beyond mere calorie counting by providing a comprehensive health and wellness solution.

Noor Pharmaceuticals develops and commercializes halal vitamins and innovate and create natural wellness solutions. NoorVitamins™, a division of Noor Pharmaceuticals, which continues to be managed by doctors and scientists, delivers on this promise of Natural Wellness with a complete and innovative line of vitamins and supplements made with natural ingredients that are Pure, Potent, and Proven. Additionally, we are committed to ensuring that our products meet the highest possible FDA, GMP and NSF scientific and manufacturing standards.

Biba Beverages specializes in producing all-natural hydration beverages aimed at supporting healthy, active lifestyles. The company's product line features caffeine-free, low-sugar drinks that incorporate a blend of essential vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes, all delivered with a crisp, refreshing lime flavor. By focusing on natural ingredients, Biba Beverages caters to consumers seeking effective hydration solutions without compromising on health.

Naughty Nutritionist is an online platform dedicated to informing modern consumers about nutrition and wellness through engaging content and products. It offers a range of nutritionally dense foods, such as organic chocolates and algae, designed for busy Gen X and Gen Y individuals who wish to prioritize health without compromising on enjoyment. The platform features a news-rich website and outbound newsletters that present fun nutrition content and playful graphics, appealing to a lifestyle that embraces health as a mainstream choice. By combining convenience with engaging branding, Naughty Nutritionist aims to elevate nutrition into a hip lifestyle option, similar to brands like Daily Candy and LuLu Lemon that foster community engagement.

ViThera Pharmaceuticals is an early stage biotech company located in the life-science cluster at One Kendall Square in Cambridge, MA. Our scientists harness the synthetic potential of bacteria to produce therapeutic molecules within the body to develop a revolutionary new treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease.Our research combines the natural benefits of probiotics with the power of synthetic biology to create game-changing, novel therapeutics for chronic diseases. EnLact strains are engineered lactic acid and probiotic bacteria which express beneficial proteins and modulate disease within the patient's body. Our lead program, VT301 uses EnLact technology to treat the inflammatory bowel disease, and is currently in pre-clinical development. Our close collaboration with prominent academic researchers developing the EnLact® in the United States and in Europe concept puts us at the cutting edge of biologic therapy. Strong proof of concept data supports the novel biology behind VT301 and we are currently conducting translational studies in human tissues in partnership with a large pharmaceutical company. The EnLact® strains in VT301 express human anti-inflammatory proteins that act locally on the inflamed mucosa and avoid systemic side effects.