More than 7 billion people inhabit Earth. Because the population continues to rise, companies are searching for ways to provide the people of the world with the physical necessities they need to lead healthy fulfilling lives. A variety of organizations are gearing up for what the future of food may bring.
Trace Genomics uses artificial intelligence techniques that are common in data science and fraud detection in order to identify genetic mutations and microbes.
Food is of course the big one. For over 200 years it has been accepted dogma that food production expands arithmetically while populations expands geometrically. Of course this entire 200 year span clearly demonstrates that at least this one piece of dogma is false. Since roughly 1800, food production has increased phenomenally, making it possible to feed the people of the world even as population increased by 7 times.
Yet today, we still have problems with local food production and distribution. 21% of the developing world is in critical need of food. The reasons for lack of food in some regions are many, and include; social, environmental, economic, and destabilization factors.
20 Startup Companies Innovating Food Production
The following companies are searching for alternative proteins. They are designing new protein sources based on a somewhat likely assortment of plant-based sources, including; algae, insects, and row crops.
- Beyond Meat – located in Los Angeles and is a producer of plant-based meat. In 2009, Ethan Brown discovered the company. It has disclosed funding of $40.5 million. Beyond Meat’s investors are Obvious Ventures, Collaborative Fund, Tyson New Ventures, 301 Incorporated, and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. In 2013, Beyond Meat products became available at Whole Foods Markets nationwide.
- Impossible Foods – located in Redwood City, California. It creates plant-based substitutes for meat and dairy products. Patrick Brown is the CEO of the company, rumored to be worth $183 million. Bill Gates, Khosla Ventures, Google Ventures, and Horizons Ventures are its investors.
- Ripple Foods – located in Emeryville, California. Ripple creates non-dairy milk that is low in sugar and high in protein. Adam Lowry is the CEO of Ripple Foods. It has known funding of $43.6 million. Prelude Ventures, Google Ventures, Blueberry Ventures, and Khosla Ventures are its investors. All Ripple products have just as much protein as milk.
- New Wave Foods – from San Francisco, California is number one when it comes to sustainable seafood production. Dominique Barnes is the CEO of the company. Its disclosed funding is $200,000. Indie. Bio, New Crop Capital, and Efficient Capital are its investors. New Wave Foods aim to make food that is healthier for humans and at the same time better for the environment.
- Spoiler Alert – This technology company is located in Boston Massachusetts. It helps food farms, nonprofits, and businesses to better manage their unsold food inventory. Ricky Ashenfelter is the Co-Founder and CEO of the company. It has a disclosed funding of $2.8 million. LaunchCapital, Fresh Source Capital, and Acre Venture Partners are its investors.
- Imperfect Produce – in Oakland, California, is the number one home delivery and consumer brand service for produce that is less than perfect. Ben Simon is the CEO of the company. It has a disclosed funding of $9.8 million. Maveron is the lead investor in Imperfect Produce.
- Full Harvest – is located in San Francisco, California. It helps growers get the most out of their harvest and deals with farm excess and surplus. Christine Moseley is the CEO of the company. It has a disclosed funding of $2 million. Radicle, Wireframe Ventures, and BBG Ventures are its investors.
- Apeel Sciences – is in Santa Barbara, California. It develops products from the extract of natural plants and reduces reliance on pesticides. James Rogers is the CEO of the company. It has a disclosed funding of $40 million. Tao Capital Partners, Andreessen Horowitz, S2G Ventures, and Upfront Ventures are its investors.
- Farmers Business Network – is in San Carlos, California. It connects farmers in order to gain insights and share knowledge regarding their inputs, practices, and farms. The company is a farmer-to-farmer agronomic information network. Amol Deshpande is the CEO of the company. It has a disclosed funding of $79.6 million. DBL Partners, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, and Google Ventures are its investors.
- Blue River Technology – from Sunnyvale, California, this tech company develops robotics to create intelligent solutions for agricultural industries. Jorge Heraud is the CEO of the company. It has funding of $30.8 million. Innovation Endeavors, Khosla Ventures, and Monsanto Growth Ventures are its investors.
- Abundant Robotics – in Hayward, California solves huge and important dilemmas in the agriculture industry. Dan Steere is the CEO of the company. It has disclosed funding of $10 million. KPCB Edge, Yahama Motor Ventures, Comet Labs, and Google Ventures are the company’s investors. Abundant Robotics lead the way in automation of difficult, manual farming labor.
- Prospera – in Tel Aviv, Israel, develops computer vision technologies that analyzes and monitors plant stress, growth, and health. Daniel Koppel is the CEO of the company. It has funding of $7 million. Hishtil and Bessemer Venture Partners are the primary investors in the company.
- aWhere – in Broomfield, Colorado, analyzes agricultural. John Corbett is the CEO. aWhere has funding of $12.4 million. Aravaipa Ventures, Elixir Capital, and AgFunder are investors.
- Hortau – is located in San Luis Obispo, California. Founded in 2002, it specialtizes in web and wireless-based irrigation management. Jocelyn Boudreau is CEO. It has funding of $71.5 million. Telesystem, Avrio Capital, BDC Capital, and Advantage Capital Partners are its investors.
- Trace Genomics – from San Francisco, California, provides advanced management and prevention of agricultural diseases. Trace Genomics uses artificial intelligence techniques that are common in data science and fraud detection in order to identify genetic mutations and microbes. Diane Wu is the CEO, of the company with funding of $4.1 million. Refactor Capital, Fall Line Capital, and Illumina Ventures are investors.
- Memphis Meats – is based in San Francisco. It produces meat with the aid of biotechnology. Memphis Meats plans to grow sustainable cultured meat. Dr. Uma Valeti is the CEO of the company. It has funding of $3 million. SOSventures, New Crop Capital, and Indie.Bio are its investors.
- Modern Meadow – is located in Brooklyn, New York. The company is trying to develop new approaches to growing animal products, through biofabrication.. Andras Forgacs is the CEO of the company. Modern Meadow has funding of $53.4 million. Horizons Ventures, Sequoia Capital, Artis Ventures, and Collaborative Fund are its investors.
- Perfect Day Foods – is located in Cork, Ireland. It is reinventing the way milk is industrially produced. Ryan Pandya is the CEO of the company. It has a disclosed funding of $2.1 million. SOSventures, Horizons Ventures, and Indie.Bio are its investors.
- Geltor – in San Leandro, California, wants to replace animal derived gelatin with a vegan, animal free version. Alexander Lorestani is the CEO of the company. It has a funding of $2.7 million. New Crop Capital and Indie.Bio are its investors.
- Ginkgo Bioworks – is located in Boston, Massachusetts. It designs custom microbes for customers across different markets. Jason Kelly is the CEO of the company with funding of $161.2 million. MassVentures, OS Fund, and Data Collective are its investors.
By the year 2050, approximately 9.6 billion people will need to eat every day. Creative bold actions today will make that goal possible.
