MassChallenge

Earnest Agriculture collaborates with farmers to transform agricultural waste into innovative biofertilizers that enhance crop yields. By converting waste products such as manure and vegetable remnants, the company provides an eco-friendly solution that not only helps farmers manage their waste but also offers them a potential source of additional income. Utilizing a combination of composting, vermicomposting, and advanced microbial technologies, Earnest Agriculture develops proprietary fertilizers designed to improve soil quality, promote drought resistance, and suppress pathogens. This approach not only reduces the environmental impact of farming but also allows farmers to lower their input costs while increasing their productivity.

Little Bandits is a dairy-free brand focused on providing nutritious food options for children, created in response to the increasing prevalence of food allergies among kids. The company specializes in producing dairy-free and soya-free products, primarily a range of yogurts made from coconut milk. These yogurts are designed to be low in sugar, allergy-friendly, and enriched with essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamins D2, B12, and iodine. Little Bandits aims to fill a gap in the market for children’s plant-based foods, offering healthy and enjoyable alternatives that cater to the dietary needs of kids with allergies and those following plant-based diets.

Pricepally is a digital food cooperative that connects consumers directly with local farmers and wholesalers, focusing on making fresh, high-quality food more affordable and accessible in African cities. By facilitating bulk purchases, Pricepally allows individuals and businesses to buy and share food items, ensuring they receive products that are cheaper and fresher than traditional retail options. The platform harnesses collective buying power to provide significant value for money, promoting a more sustainable food supply chain while supporting local agriculture.

HeroGo is a subscription service that delivers reclaimed food produce directly to consumers' doors. By providing sustainably sourced fresh produce, the company aims to reduce food waste and help customers lower their grocery bills. This service appeals to environmentally conscious consumers who wish to contribute to the reduction of food waste and carbon dioxide emissions, aligning their purchasing habits with sustainable practices.

Bon AppéSweet creates an all-natural, plant-based, oat milk gelato sweetened with fruit-based sweeteners and zero cane sugar. It was founded in 2019 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

Caulys specializes in providing indoor greenhouse toolkits that facilitate home agriculture, allowing individuals to grow fresh and environmentally friendly fruits and vegetables. The company focuses on urban and vertical farming solutions, making it possible for people to cultivate produce in limited spaces. By promoting eco-friendly practices, Caulys' toolkits minimize transportation needs, reduce energy consumption, and generate less waste, all while avoiding pesticides and genetically modified organisms. This innovative approach enables users to engage in gardening with minimal time commitment each week, bringing the benefits of agriculture closer to urban dwellers.

Snack Jack is a organic food supplier that specializes in plant-based jerky made jackfruit,

Fresh.Land is a digital platform designed to connect farmers directly with consumers, allowing for the sale of fresh fruits and vegetables without intermediaries. This model significantly reduces the time from harvest to retail, taking just a few days instead of months. By facilitating direct sales, Fresh.Land aims to minimize carbon emissions by 88%, reduce food waste by 10%, and lower chemical usage by 55%. The platform provides farmers with the necessary scale, digital infrastructure, and expertise to optimize their operations and reach consumers more effectively. Through this innovative approach, Fresh.Land enhances the freshness of food while promoting sustainable practices in the agricultural sector.

Makomas is creating 100% natural and authentic juice drinks inspired by the flavors of West Africa. We only use fresh, sustainably grown products sourced directly from small farmers in West Africa. And all of the fruits, flowers and roots selected for our juices have scientifically proven health benefits.

Selina Wamucii facilitates the buying and importing of food and agricultural products from Africa, connecting businesses globally with local producers. The company collaborates with cooperatives, farmers' groups, and agro-processors to create a trustworthy platform for transactions between buyers and family farmers, including smallholders and fishing communities. By streamlining agricultural value chains, Selina Wamucii reduces inefficiencies, thereby minimizing food wastage and enhancing farmers' incomes. The platform offers a wide variety of products, including fruits, vegetables, dairy, fish, meat, oils, grains, and spices, making it easier for buyers to source quality produce directly from farmers. This approach not only supports local economies but also ensures that fresh produce reaches the market efficiently, even for farmers with limited access to technology.

Farmster is a marketplace for agricultural produce in emerging markets, where most farmers do not have access to the internet. Famers post their produce into the marketplace via an AI-based SMS chatbot, and buyers search for produce by location, time of sale and quantity using the Farmster app or website. Farmster expands connections within the agricultural value chain.

Better Juice was founded in 2017 by a team of prestigious food industry professionals: a biochemist and microbiology academician with extensive experience in product development. The company is supported by The Kitchen FoodTech Hub – Strauss Group’s incubator, whose goal is to nourish promising food-tech ventures that can disrupt the global food system – making it more productive, more affordable, more sustainable and healthier. ​ Better Juice gives consumers what they are looking for: simple ways to reduce sugar in their diets. Popular juices such as orange and apple juice have 6 teaspoons (25 grams) of sugar per 1-cup serving (250 ml). Grape juice has up to 14 teaspoons. The Better Juice solution lets industrial juice producers lower or eliminate sugar in one simple step.

MagicTomato operates an online grocery marketplace that focuses on providing locally made and sourced products. Founded in September 2016 in the Geneva area, the company aims to encourage consumers to adopt healthier grocery shopping habits by offering a selection of over 800 non-industrial and GMO-free items. Their product range includes fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, dairy, organic flours, and various beverages, all sourced from a network of 30 local artisans. MagicTomato emphasizes sustainability through a decentralized business model, aiming to eliminate food waste and packaging while ensuring ultimate freshness. They offer same-day delivery, making it convenient for consumers to access high-quality products from independent craftsmen in their region. The company is already at breakeven, reflecting its successful implementation of this innovative grocery approach.

RUSTYS is an Israeli healthy lifestyle bringing mindful snacking to the local market without compromising on taste. RUSTYS Nut Butters & Treats is a local Israeli healthy lifestyle brand giving the local market the ability to eat healthy without having to compromise on taste. They use locally sourced nuts to help promote local agriculture and combine them with organic flavors from around the globe such as Canadian maple syrup to create the most delicious nut butter spreads. Their online presence, community events and recipes they share with their audience help Israelis live healthier more active lives.

FoPo extends food shelf life from 2 weeks to 2 years by freeze drying & turning it into powder, while reducing food waste & helping farmers. In FoPo, they collect ugly fruits & vegetables before expiry from groceries & farms, freeze dry them, & turn them into food powder to preserve their nutrients, prolong shelf life, & maximize logistics. It can be used for smoothies, soups, fruit shakes, & more. The product will be sold via online, supermarkets, humanitarian mission agencies & food companies. With low price, reduced food waste & support for local businesses & farmers, FoPo creates value from the inefficiency in the food system.

Flying Spark specializes in the research and development of processes for producing high-quality protein powders from fruit fly larvae. The company focuses on cultivating and processing these larvae to create protein powders and oils that can be utilized in various applications, including human food products, animal feed, and cosmetics. Their protein powder is particularly noted for its rich content of iron, calcium, magnesium, and dietary fibers, making it an excellent source of amino acids. The product's white color and mild flavor allow for seamless integration into a wide range of food and feed products.

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.

SproutsIO, Inc. designs and manufactures an automated indoor gardening system that allows individuals to cultivate fresh fruits and vegetables on demand. Established in 2013 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company aims to empower consumers by shifting their role in the food supply chain. The SproutsIO smart microgarden incorporates machine learning technology and proprietary growing profiles to optimize plant growth while providing a user-friendly experience through its mobile application, SproutsIOGrow. This app enables users to control their garden remotely, offering real-time sensor reports and camera feeds. The system is designed to function year-round without soil and can adapt to various living environments, making it accessible for people regardless of their gardening experience or local climate. By employing innovative hybrid hydroculture technology, SproutsIO facilitates personal farming, enabling customers to grow their own produce efficiently and sustainably.

Fenugreen was founded in 2010. It all started with handmade batches of FreshPaper handed out at the farmer's markets and street fairs in Cambridge, MA. Today, Fenugreen FreshPaper is used by farmers and families across the globe, and Fenugreen is establishing initiatives to benefit local food banks in the U.S. and small-scale farmers in the developing world.