Investor Report — Top 5 of the week (August)
If you aren’t already aware the FoodTech industry is booming. With over 3,300 actors listed on Forward Fooding’s FoodTech Data Navigator and that number only increasing daily. It can be hard to navigate through the rapidly growing FoodTech ecosystem.
Therefore we provide an insightful breakdown on our top 5 FoodTech startups of the week, who are rising within the ecosystem and generating the most buzz. For more detailed analytics and information on all the players in the environment ensure to checkout the FoodTech Data Navigator.
AgTalent is a digital marketplace for training, recruitment and expert services in the sustainable and regenerative agriculture sector. Drawing similarities to LinkedIn, the platform provides agriculture industry workers with support from training to employment, while it offers employers access to a specialist talent pool of staff, contractors and consultants.
Founded — 2018
Located — Margaret River, Australia
IPO Status — Private
Latest Funding Stage — Seed Round — 14th August 2019
Total Funding — $101,000
Latest Buzz: The founders of recruitment platform AgTalent have much to toast to in their craft brewery-rich town of Margaret River, in western Australia. The startup has secured A$150,000 ($101,000) from ASX-listed Wide Open Agriculture (WOA) in exchange for a 28% stake in the company.
Zero is the largest IOS fasting community with over 2.5 million downloads. The app connects people who are interested in fasting to the tools, resources and community to help them find the best fasting routines for their health, in addition to tracking progress and milestones over time.
Founded — 2016
Located — Greater New York, USA
IPO Status — Private
Latest Funding Stage — Seed — 6th August 2019
Total Funding — $4M
Latest Buzz: Fasting app Zero announced today that it has raised $2.8 million in a new funding round from True Ventures and Trinity Ventures (h/t Axios Pro Rata). This brings the total amount raised by the company to $4 million.
The company aims to change plant breeding to significantly decrease time and cost by executing biological and data sciences. It reintroduces nature’s genetic diversity and working to identify some of today’s major challenges, including climate change. Through transformational plant breeding technology, the company develops a new horizon in agriculture that is more predictive, efficient, affordable, inclusive, and respectful of the environment.
Founded — 2016
Located — Massachusetts, USA
IPO Status — Private
Latest Funding Stage — Series C — 1st August 2019
Total Funding — $129M
Latest Buzz: Inari has closed a $89 million Series C to develop genomic tools including gene editing to improve global seed diversity. The round brings the company’s total funding to $142 million.
The company says it is the largest funding round secured by a female CEO in ag biotech startup to-date.
Rise Mrkt is a radically sustainable online grocery store. They sell dry pantry goods shipped directly to your door packaged in their 100% compostable pouches.
Founded — 2019
Located — New York City, USA
IPO Status — Private
Latest Funding Stage — Crowdfunding — 5th June 2019
Total Funding — $N/A
Latest Buzz: The NYC-based company currently has a campaign on Kickstarter to raise $25,000 for its concept, which is to ship grains, seeds, beans, and other dry goods to customers’ doorsteps in 100 percent compostable packaging. If the Kickstarter campaign is successful, Rise Mrkt will officially launch in 2020 with 50 to 100 dry pantry staples on offer. Customers will be able to buy them online via the Rise Mrkt website.
DoorDash provides on-demand restaurant food delivery services connecting customers with local businesses across the United States and Canada. The company is passionate about transforming local businesses and dedicated to enabling new ways of working, earning, and living.
Founded — 2013
Located — San Francisco, USA
IPO Status — Private
Latest Funding Stage — Series G — 4th May 2019
Total Funding — $2 B
Latest Buzz: DoorDash announced today that it has entered into an agreement to purchase Caviar from its parent company, Square, for $410 million dollars in a combination of cash and preferred stock. The addition of Caviar’s premium restaurants, with whom DoorDash will work closely to drive their growth, will enable the combined organization to cater to every food preference and occasion. Caviar’s complementary geographic footprint provides DoorDash with a significant number of new and unique customers, who will benefit from an even broader set of merchants.
In order to find out more about these companies and where they are located check out Forward Fooding’s Global FoodTech Map. However, if you are interested in gaining more insights and analytics on these companies and others like them, make sure to request a demo for our latest FoodTech Data Navigator. Our state-of-the-art data platform captures and monitors the evolution of interconnected AgriFoodTech startup companies, investors and accelerators globally. With a limited time launch offer, expiring on the 31st of September.
